There is no way the Philadelphia Eagles can afford a tie like Sunday's 13-13 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Eagles were nearly double-digit favorites against the Bengals, but with an ineffective Donovan McNabb at quarterback, they could manage only the tie with one-win Cincinnati. On Nov. 17, 1997, at Memorial Stadium, the Eagles and Ravens played to a 10-10 tie in a regular-season game. Both teams entered the contest 4-6, but each missed field goals in overtime that would have won the game.
It was the first NFL tie since the Browns and Kansas City Chiefs tied 10-10 on Nov. 19, 1989, in Cleveland.
WHAT HAPPENED: The Ravens' offense could not convert on short-yardage situations in overtime, and kicker Matt Stover missed a 53-yard, wind-aided field-goal attempt with 2:21 left in overtime. The Eagles, forced to play with third-string quarterback Bobby Hoying, were able to march within field-goal range, but the Ravens escaped with the tie when kicker Chris Boniol's 40-yarder into the wind sailed wide right.
KEY STATS: Ravens rookie running back Jay Graham rushed for 154 yards on 35 carries, and the Ravens' defense allowed just 63 rushing yards, keeping running backs Ricky Watters (36 yards) and Charlie Garner (21 yards) in check. ... The Ravens' defense collected a club-record nine sacks. ... Ravens quarterback Vinny Testaverde completed 19 of 32 passes for 140 yards.
QUOTABLE: "It's just so frustrating; things just don't click when we need them to. I would have been happy if we'd won. I was considering this the biggest game of the year because it would have kept us alive" for the playoffs. - Michael McCrary, Ravens defensive end
"We didn't take advantage of the opportunities we had. In a game like this, that close, every chance you have, you have to take advantage and you have to make the most of it, and we failed to do that. I don't think the tie helped us at all. Our goal now will be to finish the season at 9-6-1." - Ted Marchibroda, Ravens coach
Source: Baltimore Sun archives
It was the first NFL tie since the Browns and Kansas City Chiefs tied 10-10 on Nov. 19, 1989, in Cleveland.
WHAT HAPPENED: The Ravens' offense could not convert on short-yardage situations in overtime, and kicker Matt Stover missed a 53-yard, wind-aided field-goal attempt with 2:21 left in overtime. The Eagles, forced to play with third-string quarterback Bobby Hoying, were able to march within field-goal range, but the Ravens escaped with the tie when kicker Chris Boniol's 40-yarder into the wind sailed wide right.
KEY STATS: Ravens rookie running back Jay Graham rushed for 154 yards on 35 carries, and the Ravens' defense allowed just 63 rushing yards, keeping running backs Ricky Watters (36 yards) and Charlie Garner (21 yards) in check. ... The Ravens' defense collected a club-record nine sacks. ... Ravens quarterback Vinny Testaverde completed 19 of 32 passes for 140 yards.
QUOTABLE: "It's just so frustrating; things just don't click when we need them to. I would have been happy if we'd won. I was considering this the biggest game of the year because it would have kept us alive" for the playoffs. - Michael McCrary, Ravens defensive end
"We didn't take advantage of the opportunities we had. In a game like this, that close, every chance you have, you have to take advantage and you have to make the most of it, and we failed to do that. I don't think the tie helped us at all. Our goal now will be to finish the season at 9-6-1." - Ted Marchibroda, Ravens coach
Source: Baltimore Sun archives