National Football League

Ravens, Flacco start strong, beat 49ers in preseason opener

Published Aug. 7, 2014 10:37 p.m. ET

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If the Baltimore Ravens' performance in their preseason opener served as a sneak preview for the regular season, then Gary Kubiak's new offensive scheme could be a smash hit.

Joe Flacco produced an 80-yard touchdown drive in his only series, and the Ravens amassed 386 yards in offense en route to a 23-3 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night.

It was the third time in three tries that Ravens coach John Harbaugh got the best of his brother, Jim Harbaugh, coach of the 49ers. Baltimore previously defeated San Francisco on Thanksgiving 2011 and in the Super Bowl ending the 2012 season.

"We've got some work to do," Jim Harbaugh said.

Especially on defense.

"That's probably the biggest concern coming out right now," Jim Harbaugh noted. "We got pushed around a little bit."

Each team played its starting unit for one series before the backups took over.

After Colin Kaepernick moved the 49ers 66 yards for a field goal, Flacco made himself right at home in Kubiak's variation of the West Coast offense, going 4 for 5 for 52 yards during a 10-play scoring drive.

"Ten plays in a new offense, that doesn't happen very often," wide receiver Steve Smith said. "We were high tempo, high paced, so that went well."

Kubiak, the former head coach of the Houston Texans, replaced offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell, now Detroit's head coach.

"The execution by the offense on our first drive was what we like to see," John Harbaugh said. "Our technique and assignments were sharp. It was good, fundamentally sound football."

Four different receivers caught passes from Flacco, the former Super Bowl MVP: Dennis Pitta for 14 yards, Jacoby Jones for 12, Kyle Juszczyk for 17 and Smith for 9.

"You expect to go out there and have a good drive," Flacco said. "You envision good things happening. You have a good idea of what plays you're going to run. It kind of went on schedule."

Ray Rice ran three times for 17 yards after receiving a warm ovation from the home crowd during pregame introductions. Rice has been suspended by the NFL for the opening two regular season games after being arrested for domestic violence in February.

A year ago, the Ravens averaged a meager 3.1 yards per carry. In this game, they totaled 237 yards rushing on 48 tries, a 4.9 average.

"The thing that was good was that we went out the first drive, Joe and all of us, and we executed," Rice said. "But when we came out, the same level of execution came in. It was good to see that there was no dropoff from anybody."

Bernard Pierce will probably start while Rice is serving his suspension. Pierce ran for 37 yards, including a 2-yard touchdown run to end Baltimore's opening drive.

Kubiak's offense is different for the running backs, too, and Pierce appears to have made the adjustment.

"It's definitely a one-cut system," he said. "It's not that complicated to run."

John Harbaugh was predictably low-key about the success of the running game.

"It's just one day and you have to build on top of it," he said.

San Francisco had offensive coordinator Greg Roman back from last year, but he streamlined the playbook during the offseason in an effort to make it easier for Kaepernick to get the call in.

Kaepernick appeared relaxed at the helm during his lone series. He completed his only pass, 17 yards to tight end Vance McDonald.

"Ended up in the red zone with an opportunity to score a touchdown, so that's all that really matters," Kaepernick said. "The biggest thing for us was we were trying to get points on the board, regardless of how we get there."

San Francisco running back Frank Gore did not play. Rookie Carlos Hyde started and gained 39 yards on five carries.

Jonathan Martin started at right tackle for the 49ers in place of injured Anthony Davis (shoulder). Martin, who was in the center of the Miami Dolphins' bullying scandal involving former teammate Richie Incognito, came to San Francisco in an offseason trade.

Kaepernick's backup, Blaine Gabbert, went 3 for 11 for 20 yards and an interception.

Flacco's replacement, Tyrod Taylor, completed 13 of 21 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 59 yards on five carries.

Justin Tucker kicked three field goals for Baltimore, including a 55-yarder that made it 16-3 late in the third quarter.

NOTES: The 49ers rested, among others, Gore, WRs Michael Crabtree and Brandon Lloyd and LB Patrick Willis. ... Ravens top draft pick C.J. Mosley had a sack.

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