NFL Recap (Detroit-Baltimore)
Posted: Sun December 27, 1998 at 6:33 p.m. EST
BALTIMORE 19, DETROIT 10
BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- Priest Holmes outshined Barry Sanders and may have
helped coach Ted Marchibroda go out a winner, leading the Baltimore Ravens to a
19-10 victory over the Detroit Lions.
Holmes rushed for 132 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries as he became
the first 1,000-yard rusher in the three-year history of the Ravens.
"I would never say I outplayed Barry Sanders. I would say I just had
a better game this time," Holmes said.
Sanders was limited to 41 yards on 19 carries, failing to reach the
1,500-yard plateau for an NFL-record fifth straight season. Finishing the
campaign with 1,491 yards, Sanders also was kept out of the end zone and
again missed his chance to become the sixth player with 100 career rushing
touchdowns.
"Well, it is disappointing, but it's more disappointing we didn't win
this game and we didn't have a good season," Sanders said. "That kind of
overshadowed everything I've done. This team just needs to go in the right
direction to be competitive next year."
Marchibroda has been at the helm for the Ravens in all three years of
their existence. But the general consensus is that he will be relieved of
his duties after a disappointing 6-10 season.
"I have no regrets. It's been an uphill battle for three years,"
Marchibroda reflected. "I didn't say goodbye, I said good luck. I'm
thankful for the opportunity that I had. It didn't turn out the way I
wanted. I can still walk the streets of Baltimore with my head high,
though."
The Lions closed the year with four straight losses to complete a 5-11
campaign.
"It wasn't a nice way to end a season. I was really disappointed in
the overall execution," said Lions coach Bobby Ross. "Obviously, we're not
a good football team. We have to look at a lot of things."
Jim Harbaugh, who
left briefly in the first quarter with a nerve contusion to his right
elbow, completed 17-of-26 passes for 141 yards and a touchdown as Baltimore
won the first meeting between these teams. The former Chicago Bear has
thrown for 1,887 yards in his career against Detroit, his most against any
team.
But when looking back on the season, Harbaugh said, "We just didn't
get it done. There are no excuses. We need to be more determined and
consistent. I wish we had won more. This team has a lot of talent and one
day, we'll dominate."
Frank Reich, making
his second straight start for injured rookie Charlie Batch, was
18-of-29 for 195 yards, including 10 for 120 to Herman Moore.
Midway through the opening quarter, the Lions were pinned at their own
5-yard line. As Reich went back to pass, tackle Ray Roberts was called for
holding defensive end Peter
Boulware in the end zone, giving the Ravens an automatic safety.
Again backed up deep in its own territory, Detroit's offense faltered.
A fumble by Sanders set up the Ravens at the 2 and three plays later,
Holmes plunged into the end zone for a one-yard score.
Despite gaining just 17 yards in the first quarter, Baltimore came
away with a 9-0 lead.
"The important thing was we fought and never gave up. Our offense had
some great drives today," Marchibroda added. "We shut him (Sanders) down
all game. That's one of the main keys on beating the Detroit Lions."
Early in the second period, the Ravens put together their best drive
of the day, marching 97 yards in 13 plays over nearly seven minutes.
Holmes helped move Baltimore past midfield, going for 47 yards on just four
carries. Harbaugh did the rest with seven completions, the last of which
went to Roosevelt Potts
for 11 yards and a touchdown with 5:44 left in the first half.
But the Lions got on the board just 30 seconds before halftime as
Reich found Moore for a 30-yard gain to help set up Jason Hanson's 39-yard
field goal, cutting the deficit to 16-3.
Following a scoreless third quarter, Reich connected with fullback Cory Schlesinger for an
eight-yard TD early in the fourth period to pull the Lions within 16-10.
But Baltimore began to seal the win with an 11-play drive that took
5:28 off the clock. Holmes' 11-yard run sparked that march, which resulted
in Matt Stover's
30-yard field goal with 5:03 to play.
Holmes was limited to less than 40 yards rushing in each of the last
three games but bounced back to notch the fourth 100-yard game of his
career, all this season. The Ravens, who owned a 153-44 edge in rushing
yardage, are 4-0 when Holmes reaches the century mark.
"I'm thankful for the opportunity I had," Holmes added. "I wasn't
sure I was even going to play this year. It's pretty nice for me. I'm
thankful I had the chance."
Despite breaking his own single-season team record by finishing with
343 carries, Sanders was held under 100 yards for the fifth time in his
final six games.
"They didn't allow me to get past the line of scrimmage. I couldn't
get anything going," Sanders admitted. "It feels like you wasted a whole
year of football. That's how I feel right now."
© 1998 Sportsticker Enterprises, LP
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