The Ravens went to Cincinnati with an offensive line that had hardly played together all summer, and with two players -- left guard James Hurst and center Ryan Jensen -- who were making their first career start at those positions.
By the end of the third quarter, after the Ravens had mounted a 17-play, 81-yard drive that included 11 straight running plays, it was clear this new offensive line configuration had passed its first test. Leading 17-0 at the time, the Ravens wanted to run the ball, the Bengals and their strong defensive front knew the Ravens wanted to run the ball, and yet the Bengals couldn't stop them.
Speaking at his weekly news conference Sept. 11, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh praised the physical play of the line -- which featured Ronnie Stanley at left tackle, Hurst, Jensen, All-Pro Marshal Yanda at right guard and Austin Howard at right tackle.
