NFL Recap (Jacksonville-Baltimore)
Posted: Sun November 1, 1998 at 5:48 p.m. EST
JACKSONVILLE 45, BALTIMORE 19
BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- The Jacksonville Jaguars
exploded for a franchise-record 42 points in the first half before cruising
to the biggest road victory in team history, 45-19 over the Baltimore Ravens.
Jacksonville (6-2) scored 35 unanswered points in a 12-minute span
bridging the first and second quarters, taking advantage of three turnovers
and a blocked punt to break open a 7-7 tie.
Rookie running back Fred Taylor started the
spurt with a 78-yard scoring reception, the longest play from scrimmage in
team history. The Jaguars took a 42-13 halftime lead despite controlling
the ball for less than 10 minutes.
Bouncing back from consecutive losses, Jacksonville fell a touchdown
shy of the NFL record for points in the first half. The Green Bay Packers scored
49 points against Tampa Bay on October 2nd, 1983. The Jaguars also
established a team record for points in a game, besting last season's 40-13
victory over the New York
Giants.
"This was a big win for us," said coach Tom Coughlin. "It's not every
day you get to score 45 points. I'm glad to wrap up this road trip with a
win. To be 6-2 at this point, I'm pretty much satisfied."
"This was a must win for us to get back on track," added quarterback
Mark Brunell. "This is
just what we were looking for. We talked about it all week."
Jacksonville, which lost to Denver and Buffalo the past two weeks,
regained sole possession of first place in the AFC Central. The Jaguars
were tied with Pittsburgh, which was beaten at home by Tennessee, 41-31.
Baltimore (2-6) suffered its fourth straight defeat and third in a row
against a 1997 playoff team. The Ravens have scored four touchdowns and a
total of 43 points during their losing streak.
"Sometimes, you have to hit bottom before you come out of it," said
Baltimore coach Ted Marchibroda. "If we haven't hit bottom yet, we're in
real trouble."
Taylor put Jacksonville ahead for good with 79 seconds left in the
first quarter, taking a pass from Brunell and racing 78 yards on his lone
reception.
Baltimore started to give away the game. Tight end Eric Green committed the
first of four first-half turnovers, fumbling at the Ravens 25-yard line
after a five-yard reception. Seven plays later, Taylor scored from the 1,
giving the Jaguars a 21-7 advantage.
On Baltimore's next possession, Roosevelt Potts lost eight
yards on a catch out of the backfield before fumbling at his own 28. Daimon Shelton capped
another seven-play drive with a two-yard run as Jacksonville took a 28-7
lead with 9:33 left before halftime.
Rookie receiver Alvis
Whitted got into the act 5 1/2 minutes later, blocking Kyle Richardson's punt and
returning it 24 yards for a TD.
"We made every mistake possible. We didn't leave any out," said
veteran quarterback Jim Harbuagh. "It was obviously embarrassing. I've
neve really been in a game like this and I hope I'm never in one like this
again. I can't even come up with an exuse. It's embarrassing. I'm pretty
speecheless about it."
Two plays after Patrick Johnson's 51-yard kickoff return set up
Baltimore at the Jaguars 41, Green fumbled again. Rookie safety Donovin Darius, who forced
Green's first fumble, sprinted 83 yards for a score and a 42-7 lead.
"We lost the game the easiest way possible. We turned the ball over,"
explained defensive end Michael McCrary. "This is
really, really frustrating. We just gave them the victory."
Brunell completed 8-of-10 passes for 186 yards and two TDs in the
first half for the Jaguars, who trailed in total offense after two
quarters, 239 yards to 230.
Taylor finished with 87 yards on 22 carries and Brunell went 13-of-20
for 237 yards. Jimmy
Smith, who opened the scoring with a 37-yard TD reception, had four
catches for 75 yards.
Asked if Baltimore was supposed to have a good defense, Taylor
offered, "You said it right, they're supposed to. We came in with a great
game plan, and as you saw today, things worked out pretty well for us."
Harbaugh returned to the Ravens' lineup in place of an ineffective Eric Zeier and completed
27-of-34 passes for 243 yards with three TDs and an interception.
Harbaugh, who also led the team in rushing with 57 yards, tied the game,
7-7, late in the first quarter with a six-yard TD pass to Jermaine Lewis.
© 1998 Sportsticker Enterprises, LP
|
