At long last, Ravens gaining credibility

The Baltimore Ravens, doormats for four years, are finally making a move in the AFC Central.

The Ravens beat defending division-champion Jacksonville for the first time Sunday, overcoming a 17-point deficit for a 39-36 victory. At 2-0, the Ravens are in first place for the first time in team history.

"It was like we won the Super Bowl," said Tony Banks, who threw five touchdown passes, including the game-winner with 41 seconds left, a 29-yarder to Shannon Sharpe.

Down 17-0, the Ravens got a career day from Banks, who finished 23-for-40 for 262 yards, despite losing top receiver Qadry Ismail to a knee injury in the opening quarter.

Jimmy Smith was unstoppable for the Jaguars with 15 catches for a career-high 291 yards and three touchdowns. His 41-yard score on a deflected pass set up the late heroics by Banks and Sharpe.

"You've got to give credit to Tony Banks and his offense," Brunell said. "It was two very good teams going head to head, and Baltimore was better than we were."

Browns 24, Bengals 7

Cincinnati (0-1) christened the new Paul Brown Stadium in much the same way the Bengals left their old ballpark -- by losing.

Tim Couch played his finest NFL game for the Browns (1-1), throwing for 259 yards and two touchdowns.

Keith McKenzie had three of Cleveland's seven sacks of Akili Smith, who threw two interceptions.

"The best part about it was other than throwing a game-winning touchdown, to just kneel down at the end of the game, toss the ball to the ref and walk away with a little smile on your face," Couch said.

Rams 37, Seahawks 34

St. Louis (2-0) drove 61 yards in eight plays for Jeff Wilkins' winning 27-yard field goal at Seattle, with Kurt Warner finding Torry Holt for 41 yards on third-and-17.

Warner completed 35 of 47 passes for 386 yards and a touchdown, with one interception that was run back for a score by Jay Bellamy. Marshall Faulk has 153 yards overall.

Seattle (0-2), shut out last week, tied it at 34 on a 34-yard pass to rookie Darrell Jackson with 2:05 left.

Buccaneers 41, Bears 0

Tampa Bay (2-0) forced four turnovers to help build a 20-point halftime lead, and its offense scored on five of its last seven possessions.

Donnie Abraham intercepted two of Cade McNown's passes to set up 10 points, then forced a fumble that Ronde Barber returned 24 yards for a touchdown. Shaun King threw for two scores and ran for one.

The Bears (0-2) were blanked for the first time since Dec. 24, 1989, a stretch of 164 regular-season games.

Lions 15, Redskins 10

Jason Hanson kicked five field goals at the Silverdome, including a 54-yarder, and the defense had four interceptions of Brad Johnson, including one with 48 seconds left by Terry Fair.

Detroit, 2-0 despite not scoring an offensive touchdown, took advantage of Deion Sanders, frequently throwing his way and forcing a key penalty late in the game.

Raiders 38, Colts 31

Down 21-0, visiting Oakland (2-0) got three touchdowns rushing by Rich Gannon, and Tyrone Wheatley ran for two more scores.

The Colts (1-1) scored on their first three possessions as Peyton Manning completed 14 straight passes. He threw for three touchdowns, but was picked off twice. Marvin Harrison had 10 catches for 141 yards and a score.

Titans 17, Chiefs 14, OT

Tennessee (1-1) stayed undefeated in its new home and tied the NFL record, held by the Dallas Cowboys, with nine consecutive victories to open a new stadium. Al Del Greco's 36-yard field goal won it after Neil O'Donnell, subbing for injured Steve McNair (bruised chest), tied it on an 8-yard toss to Yancey Thigpen with 50 seconds remaining.

Bills 27, Packers 18

Buffalo (2-0) had five sacks, and Rob Johnson, playing with an injured foot, threw for 259 yards and three touchdowns, two of them to tight end Jay Riemersma.

Brett Favre, despite tendinitis in his right elbow and a sprained right thumb, completed his first 14 passes and finished 26-for-36 for 270 yards and two touchdowns to Antonio Freeman. But the Packers fell to 0-2 for the first time in eight years.

Giants 33, Eagles 18

The Giants (2-0) went to the air at Philadelphia and stopped Duce Staley.

Saints 28, Chargers 27

Jeff Blake's third touchdown pass, an 8-yarder to Joe Horn with 47 seconds left, capped a 90-yard drive. The visitors (1-1) were aided by a pass interference call against DeRon Jenkins and an unnecessary roughness call against Rodney Harrison, and the Chargers (0-2) had 12 players on the field on the TD.

Broncos 42, Falcons 14

Rookie Mike Anderson, making his first NFL start because of injuries to Terrell Davis and Olandis Gary, carried 31 times for 131 yards and two touchdowns.

Panthers 38, 49ers 22

Steve Beuerlein threw for 364 yards and three touchdowns, spoiling a day on which the 49ers honored Joe Montana, Ronnie Lott and Dave Wilcox, who entered the Hall of Fame this year.

Cardinals 32, Cowboys 31

Jake Plummer led the Cardinals (1-1) to victory with a late drive on which he passed to David Boston for 63 yards, then hit a 17-yarder to Frank Sanders for the touchdown with 1:54 remaining.