BALTIMORE — Here’s a switch: The Baltimore Ravens won on the strength of their offense.
Even more surprising, the Ravens used the pass more than their usual punishing running game in a 38-24 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.
Joe Flacco went 26-for-43 for 307 yards and three touchdowns, all career highs.
“I think that we will be capable of throwing the ball more ways than we did last year,” coach John Harbaugh said. “We have really good players that can make plays.”
Such as Mark Clayton, who had five catches for 77 yards, including a 31-yard touchdown grab with 2:06 left that gave Baltimore a 31-24 lead.
Willis McGahee scored from the 1 with 31 seconds remaining to clinch it.
Backup quarterback Brodie Croyle started for Kansas City as Matt Cassel’s sprained left knee kept him from making his Chiefs debut. Croyle played all but one series before Tyler Thigpen stepped in. Croyle was 16-for-24 for 177 yards and two touchdowns.
Larry Johnson, the last player to run for 100 yards against the Ravens (in December 2006), finished with 20 yards on 11 carries.
