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<b>What happened</b>: The Ravens unveiled their new up-tempo offense to a "Monday Night Football" audience with quarterback Joe Flacco throwing for 299 yards and two touchdowns and Ray Rice scoring twice in the season-opening rout at M&T Bank Stadium. Wracking up 430 total yards of offense, the Ravens scored the game's final 27 points, a run highlighted by safety Ed Reed's 34-yard interception return for a touchdown.<br>
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<b>Star of the game</b>: With questions about his contract status hanging over the season opener, Flacco played a near flawless game, completing 21 of 29 passing attempts without a turnover. His first throw of the game, a 52-yard bomb to Torrey Smith, set the tone.<br>
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<b>Turning point</b>: The Bengals cut a two-touchdown deficit to four points early in the third quarter, but Flacco responded by hitting tight end Dennis Pitta for a 10-yard scoring strike. That started the string of 27 unanswered Ravens points.<br>
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<b>Key stats</b>: Eight different Ravens caught passes. The Ravens allowed 129 yards rushing. The Bengals went 4 of 15 on third downs and committed two turnovers to the Ravens' one. Cincinnati was held scoreless the last 23:59 of the game.<br>
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<b>Quote</b>: "Pay him whatever he wants," Ravens coach John Harbaugh joked when asked about Flacco. "Pay the man."

Week 1: Ravens 44, Cincinnati Bengals 13

( Baltimore Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr. / September 10, 2012 )

What happened: The Ravens unveiled their new up-tempo offense to a "Monday Night Football" audience with quarterback Joe Flacco throwing for 299 yards and two touchdowns and Ray Rice scoring twice in the season-opening rout at M&T Bank Stadium. Wracking up 430 total yards of offense, the Ravens scored the game's final 27 points, a run highlighted by safety Ed Reed's 34-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Star of the game: With questions about his contract status hanging over the season opener, Flacco played a near flawless game, completing 21 of 29 passing attempts without a turnover. His first throw of the game, a 52-yard bomb to Torrey Smith, set the tone.

Turning point: The Bengals cut a two-touchdown deficit to four points early in the third quarter, but Flacco responded by hitting tight end Dennis Pitta for a 10-yard scoring strike. That started the string of 27 unanswered Ravens points.

Key stats: Eight different Ravens caught passes. The Ravens allowed 129 yards rushing. The Bengals went 4 of 15 on third downs and committed two turnovers to the Ravens' one. Cincinnati was held scoreless the last 23:59 of the game.

Quote: "Pay him whatever he wants," Ravens coach John Harbaugh joked when asked about Flacco. "Pay the man."

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