National Football League

Ravens' offense answers challenge from Chiefs

Published Sep. 14, 2009 4:40 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Baltimore Ravens found a different way to win, and did so in record-setting fashion.

Long known for their punishing defense and relentless ground game, the Ravens went airborne to beat the Kansas City Chiefs 38-24 on Sunday.

Joe Flacco went 26 for 43 for 307 yards and three touchdowns, all career highs. He was the focal point of an attack that amassed a franchise-record 501 yards and helped ruin the NFL head coaching debut of Todd Haley.

Now in his second season, Flacco threw as many as 30 passes in only four games last year — each time in a losing cause.

Given the opportunity from the outset to throw the ball instead of handing it off, Flacco couldn't contain his delight.

"It's awesome. It's so much fun," he said. "As a quarterback, that's what you want to do."

It may not have been an isolated opportunity, either.

"We're going to throw more if it helps us win games," coach John Harbaugh said. "I think that we will be capable of throwing the ball more ways than we did last year. We have really good players that can make plays."