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Lewis INT in end zone clinches win for Ravens

Sep 17, 2007 - 1:59 AM BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- With their backs against the wall, the Baltimore Ravens defense got a big play from a likely source.

Ray Lewis came up with a game-saving interception and the Ravens withstood a fourth-quarter rally to post a 20-13 victory over the New York Jets on Sunday in front of 71,246, the largest football crowd ever in Baltimore.

With the Jets driving for a game-tying touchdown in the closing minutes, Lewis made a diving interception, the 24th of his career, in the back of the end zone to end the threat.

"We kept trying to get pressure on the quarterback and he tried to force the pass, said Lewis. "We have a saying on defense that when the ball's in the air, it's ours. When I caught it, I just said to myself, 'Get down Ray'."

Kellen Clemens, who passed for 177 of his 260 yards in the fourth quarter, threw a pass in the end zone to Justin McCareins. The ball was a touch high, but catchable. It slipped through McCareins' hands and Lewis made the diving interception.

"That was one of the plays I know that I can make," McCareins said. "I just didn't get it done when it counted."

The Ravens were then able to run out the clock and send the Jets (0-2) to their second straight loss to open the season.

Both teams were force to go with back-up quarterbacks. Kyle Boller started for the Ravens and Clemens made his first career start for the Jets.

"Chad (Pennington) is still the starter, Jets coach Eric Mangini said after the game. "I felt very comfortable with the decision. Kellen gave us the best chance this week. We will handle it (0-2) with the same approach, despite what our record is."

With Steve McNair out with a groin injury, Boller completed 23-of-35 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns. He connected on a two-yard score to Willis McGahee in the first quarter and found Todd Heap from four yards out six seconds before the half to give Baltimore (1-1) a 17-3 lead.

"He orchestrated the game plan very, very well with a great deal of poise," Baltimore coach Brian Billick said of Boller. "There's a lot of checks and nuances within the game plan that he had to execute and he did an excellent job. It was a great win for us."

Matt Stover, who made a 28-yard field goal in the second quarter, opened the fourth with a 43 yarder to extend the Baltimore lead to 20-3.

The Jets pulled within a touchdown on a 21-yard field goal by Mike Nugent and a three-yard TD pass from Clemens to Chris Baker.

McGahee ran for 97 yards on 26 carries and Heap had seven receptions for 76 yards and a TD for the Ravens.

Jerricho Cotchery caught seven passes for 165 yards for the Jets.