National Football League
Ravens pull away to 21-7 win over Titans
National Football League

Ravens pull away to 21-7 win over Titans

Published Nov. 9, 2014 4:24 p.m. ET

BALTIMORE (AP) A redemptive performance by the Baltimore defense enabled the Ravens to end a two-game losing streak and enter their bye week on a positive note.

Baltimore shut down the Tennessee Titans in the second half and Justin Forsett ran for 112 yards and two touchdowns in a 21-7 victory Sunday.

The Ravens (6-4) repeatedly harassed rookie quarterback Zach Mettenberger, who went 16 for 27 for 179 yards and an interception in his first road start in the NFL. He was sacked five times and rarely got the chance to comfortably plant both feet in the pocket.

Tennessee didn't get its initial first down of the second half until 4:37 was left in the game. Soon after that, newcomer Danny Gorrer intercepted a pass to clinch the victory.

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It was a bounce-back performance by a defense that was embarrassed seven days earlier in a 43-23 loss in Pittsburgh. In that game, Ben Roethlisberger threw for 340 yards and six touchdowns.

The Titans (2-7) have lost seven of eight. It was 7-all at halftime, but Tennessee had three three-and-outs in the third quarter while the Ravens took control.

Tennessee had seven possessions without a first down and could muster only 68 yards in offense after the first quarter.

The Titans lost tight end Delanie Walker in the second quarter with a concussion. Walker, who came in tied for the team lead with 35 catches, got his hands on a pass and was turning upfield when struck high and hard by Terrence Brooks.

Joe Flacco completed 16 of 27 passes for 169 yards and a touchdown for the Ravens.

Baltimore went ahead for the first time with 5:36 left in the third quarter when Forsett scored on an 11-yard run to make it 14-7. Flacco went 5 for 5 on the 11-play, 72-yard drive.

After the Titans failed to respond, Flacco hit Torrey Smith for a 32-yard touchdown with 13:09 left.

The Ravens made only five first downs and were held to 86 yards in the first half.

Tennessee took the opening kickoff and held the ball for more than eight minutes before Shonn Greene lost a fumble on third-and-goal at the Baltimore 1.

After the Ravens went three and out, Mettenberger capped a nine-play drive with a 3-yard pass to Leon Washington. It was only the second time this season the Titans scored a touchdown in the first quarter.

At that point, Tennessee had a 142-8 advantage in total yardage.

Baltimore pulled even with a touchdown on its third possession. On a fourth-and-1 from the Tennessee 9. Forsett took a pitchout and sprinted around Kamerion Wimbley into the end zone.

Forsett earned the starting job after Ray Rice received an indefinite suspension from the NFL for domestic abuse. Now in his eighth season, Forsett has already reached career highs in yards (721), carries (133) and touchdowns (5).

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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL

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