2006 Baltimore Ravens season

"at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio
TV Time: CBS 4:05pm eastern

The Ravens traveled to Cleveland, Ohio for an AFC North match-up with the Cleveland Browns. The Ravens struck first with kicker Matt Stover getting a 32-yard field goal. However, in the second quarter, their small lead was wiped out, as WR Braylon Edwards caught a 58-yard TD pass and QB Charlie Frye got a one-yard TD run. In the third quarter, both sides stiffened their defenses and prevented each other from scoring. In the fourth quarter, down by 2 points, McNair drove down the field to set Stover up for a 52-yard field goal. With 0:29 left in the 4th quarter the field goal provided the winning points. Steve McNair passed for 264 yards. He threw no interceptions and completed 23 passes out of 41. Jamal Lewis rushed for 86 yards. The leading receiver was Derrick Mason with 7 completions for 132 yards. The defense sacked Brown's quarterback Charlie Frye seven times. The defense also had one forced fumble and an interception. With their third straight win, the Ravens advanced to 3-0.

Week 4: vs. San Diego Chargers

"at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

The Ravens lost their second straight game in a contest with the Carolina Panthers.

The Panthers got on the board first with a 21 yard field goal by kicker John Kasay. Ravens quarterback Steve McNair was knocked out in the first quarter with a concussion, and backup Kyle Boller took over, connecting on a touchdown pass with Mark Clayton, on a pass intended for Derrick Mason that was tipped to Clayton. The Panthers responded when Drew Carter caught a 42 yard touchdown pass from Jake Delhomme, and Kasay kicked another field goal, this time from 31 yards. The Panthers went into halftime with a 13-7 lead.

The third quarter was scoreless, and midway through the fourth quarter, Panthers kicker Kasay kicked his third field goal of the day from 21 yards out. Ravens wide receiver Clayton caught his second touchdown pass from Boller, again on a tipped pass, bringing the score to 16-14 Carolina. Panthers quarterback Delhomme continued his career day, this time throwing a 72 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Steve Smith. Delhomme threw for a career high 365 yards. Ravens tight end Todd Heap caught a 7 yard pass from Boller in the final minutes, but it wasn't enough as the Panthers extended their current winning streak to four games. The loss dropped the Ravens to 4-2.

Week 7: Bye Week

On Tuesday, October 17, 2006, it was reported that Ravens head coach Brian Billick fired offensive coordinator Jim Fassel and that he had taken over Fassel's job of offensive coordinator.

Week 8: at New Orleans Saints

"at LP Field, Nashville, Tennessee

For this road game of former AFC Central rivals, QB Steve McNair would go up against his successor and his former team, QB Vince Young and the Tennessee Titans. In the first quarter, the Titans struck first with kicker Rob Bironas nailing a 21-yard field goal. The Ravens would respond with McNair completing a 65-yard TD pass to WR Mark Clayton. However, Tennessee started showing signs of an upset, as Young got a 2-yard TD run, while DE Tony Brown got to McNair in the endzone for a safety. In the second quarter, the Titans continued their dominance with TE Bo Scaife getting a 13-yard TD run and RB Travis Henry getting a 1-yard TD. Afterwards, Baltimore responded with McNair completing a 30-yard TD pass to FB Ovie Mughelli, along with kicker Matt Stover ending the half with a 27-yard field goal. After a scoreless third quarter, Stover completed a 40-yard field goal and McNair completed an 11-yard TD pass to WR Derrick Mason to take the lead. The Ravens ended any chance of a Titans upset by blocking a game-winning field goal attempt as time expired. With the win, they improved to 7-2.

Week 11: vs. Atlanta Falcons

"at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Coming off of their dominant home win over the Steelers, the Ravens flew to Paul Brown Stadium for an AFC North rematch with the Cincinnati Bengals, trying to win the division and a playoff berth on this Thursday Night fight. After a scoreless first quarter, the Ravens trailed early as Bengals kicker Shayne Graham kicked a 23-yard and a 27-yard field goal. In the third quarter, things went from bad to worse for Baltimore as QB Carson Palmer completed a 40-yard flea-flicker TD pass to WR T. J. Houshmandzadeh for the only score of the period. In the fourth quarter, the Ravens valiantly tried to fight back, as QB Steve McNair completed a 36-yard TD pass to WR Derrick Mason. However, a failed onside kick spelled Baltimore's doom. With the loss, the Ravens fell to 9-3.

Week 14: at Kansas City Chiefs

"at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The Ravens beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-7 for the second time this season. and improved to a 12-3 record, moving up to the #2 AFC playoff seed with a Colts loss during Week 16 against the Texans. The Ravens defense held Pittsburgh RB Willie Parker to just thirty yards rushing and sacked Ben Roethlisberger five times. On offense Steve McNair threw three TD passes and was 21/31 for 256 yards with 2 interceptions. RB Jamal Lewis added 77 yards and a touchdown, and Matt Stover delivered a 26-yd field goal. This was the Ravens first win at Heinz Field since 2001. It was also the first time the Baltimore Ravens swept the season series against the Steelers in franchise history. The Ravens also tied their franchise record for wins in a season at 12. The last time they won 12 games, was the 2000 season when they went on to win Super Bowl XXXV in Tampa.

Week 17: vs. Buffalo Bills

"at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

The Ravens beat the Buffalo Bills to end the season with a 13-3 record, clinch the #2 AFC playoff seed and clinch the first-round Bye. Matt Stover kicked a 26 yard FG in the 1st quarter, a 37 yard FG in the 2nd quarter, and a 39 yard FG in the 3rd quarter. The Ravens almost shut out Buffalo in the 3rd quarter but the Bills scored in the fourth quarter when Lee Evans caught a 44 TD yard pass from J.P. Losman. The Ravens came back by recording an interception and a 31 yard interception return and TD by Chris McAlister. The Ravens ended the game in the 4th quarter by a 28 yard FG by Matt Stover.

Post Season

AFC Divisional Playoffs: vs. Indianapolis Colts

"at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

Coming off their Bye Week, the second-seeded Ravens began their playoff hunt at home against the third-seeded Indianapolis Colts. In the first quarter, Baltimore trailed early with kicker Adam Vinatieri getting a 23-yard and a 42-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Ravens managed to score as kicker Matt Stover nailed a 40-yard field goal, yet Vinatieri would respond with a 51-yard field goal. In the third quarter, the Colts improved on its small lead with Vinatieri getting a 48-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, Baltimore would manage to get a 51-yard field goal, yet Vinatieri helped the Colts get the win with a 35-yard field goal.

QB Steve McNair was 18 of 29 for 173 yards with no touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Overall, the Ravens had four turnovers in the game.

With the loss, Baltimore ended its season with an overall record of 13-4.

Division standings

References