OxfordPress.com

BALTIMORE — Winning his first career start, Ravens rookie quarterback Joe Flacco added his name to the growing list of Bengals' slayers.

Brett Favre, Eric Zeier, Donald Hollas, Billy Volek, Bruce Gradkowski, Ben Roethlisberger, Jay Cutler, Derek Anderson, Damon Huard and Shaun Hill were either young, inexperienced quarterbacks or journeyman veterans at the time when they beat Cincinnati.

"This was the beginning for Joe," Ravens first-year head coach John Harbaugh said. "He played well, but he needs to take this week to week and make the most improvement that he'll ever make in his career."

Running wild

Flacco completed just 15-of-29 passes for 129 yards, but was protected by an outstanding running game that cranked out 229 yards. His 38-yard TD rumble down the right sideline was longer than any run he made at the University of Delaware.

"I started running and I was thinking, 'First down, first down, first down,' " he said. "I got to the first-down point and I thought, 'Oh, my gosh, I don't think there's anybody here.' I just started going upfield and thought, 'I'm going to get in the end zone.' "

Accepting blame

Bengals linebacker Keith Rivers accepted the blame for Flacco's TD. Rivers went inside and nobody was there to greet Flacco on the outside.

"I should have contained it," Rivers said. "I got a little too anxious on the run and he was able to sneak out the back and got a TD."

Self examination

Chris Perry (18 carries, 37 yards) fumbled on a hit from linebacker Ray Lewis that led to a Matt Stover field goal and 10-0 Ravens lead. Perry then failed to get a first down on fourth-and-1 at the Baltimore 25 with 7:19 to go.

"The running game is on me," he said. "I should have made the right cuts, hit the right hole and hit the hole harder. You can't put that on anybody except me."

Stone wall

Ravens defensive end Haloti Ngata stoned Perry for a 1-yard loss. It was the Bengals' final offensive play because Baltimore killed the final 7:15.

"Either they drive you back or you drive them back," Ngata said. "That time I won."

Stat cats

The Bengals' average drive start in 12 possessions was their 34-yard line. But they managed only eight first downs — two by penalty — and 154 yards. The drives ended like this: Seven punts, one field goal, one interception, one fumble and two turnovers on downs.

Chad 'Johnson'

The NFL wouldn't allow Chad Ocho Cinco to wear "Ocho Cinco" on his jersey nameplate in the game because of his financial obligations to clothing manufacturer Reebok. His nameplate was "Johnson." He had one catch for 22 yards.

"I'm not worried about it," he said. "I'll get it taken care of. It's all for fun. Once it gets down to business and the whistle blows, my mind is focused on football."

Bengals injuries

• Defensive end Frostee Rucker, who forced a fumble on the game's opening possession, was on crutches after the game.

• Cornerback David Jones suffered a blow to the head in punt coverage at 9:27 of the second quarter and didn't return.

• Middle linebacker Dhani Jones exited at 2:47 of the third quarter because of dehydration. He received intravenous fluid and returned to action.