Boller Outshines Favre, Baltimore Routs Green Bay
Ravens 48, Packers 3

By Camille Powell
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, December 20, 2005

BALTIMORE, Dec. 19 -- This "Monday Night Football" game between the Baltimore Ravens and Green Bay Packers was supposed to be a contrasting study in quarterbacks. On the visiting side, there was the future Hall of Famer, who was perhaps making his final appearance on the NFL's biggest regular season stage. On the home side, there was the much-maligned former first-round pick, who was coming off of perhaps his worst game as a pro.

So naturally, it was the oft-scorned Kyle Boller who had one of the finest nights of his career while beloved icon Brett Favre was ineffective. Boller led the Ravens to a dominating, 48-3 victory in front of an announced M&T Bank Stadium crowd of 70,604, the largest in Baltimore history.

The Ravens (5-9) set franchise records for points scored, touchdowns (six) and margin of victory; their 45-point win over the Packers (3-11) was also the most lopsided win in "Monday Night Football" history.

Boller completed 70.4 percent of his passes (19 for27) and had a passer rating of 136.8 -- both career bests. He threw for 253 yards and three touchdowns, and did not commit a single turnover. Favre, a 15-year veteran who was making his 30th Monday night appearance, was 14 of 29 passes for 144 yards and did not speak with reporters after the game. He was intercepted twice -- and the Ravens dropped at least two more -- and finished without a touchdown pass for the third consecutive game.

"It feels good, just to be out on the field with him," said Boller, who was asked what it was like to out-play Favre, one of his idols. "To be able to put on a performance that we did as an offense, it means a lot, especially with what I've been going through. It was a good win."

Boller has had a rocky career with the Ravens, who made him the 19th overall pick in the 2003 draft. But last week was especially difficult for him. Boller's mistakes in Denver on Dec. 11 -- two interceptions and a fumble -- doomed the Ravens to a 12-10 loss, and renewed questions about his future with the team.

The following day, Coach Brian Billick said that he would consider sending Boller to a sports psychologist. On Saturday, Boller didn't practice because his right big toe -- which he hyperextended earlier in the year, causing him to miss seven games -- was bothering him.

Boller said that the difference on Monday night was that he tried to relax, make better decisions, and just have fun. "It's hard, but at the same time, it's gotten me in trouble in the past," Boller said. "Instead of forcing and trying to make plays, today all I had to do was get the ball in my guys' hands and let them make plays. That's what makes them special."

And what made Boller happiest was the fact that the Ravens got key contributions from all parts of the team. The offensive line didn't give up a sack. Running back Jamal Lewis ran for 105 yards on 22 carries and scored a touchdown. Tight end Todd Heap caught nine passes for 110 yards and two scores, and became the Ravens' career receiving leader (2,841 yards).

The defense forced five turnovers, and scored the final touchdown on a 35-yard fumble return by linebacker Adalius Thomas. Cornerbacks Samari Rolle and Deion Sanders both intercepted Favre in the second quarter.

"For the first time this year, it was completely fun," cornerback Chris McAlister said. "Watching the offense move the ball the way they did, and the defense played the way they did, special teams had a huge impact in the beginning of the game It was nice just to see everything come together."

That started with Boller. He was sharp right from the beginning, and he led Baltimore to touchdowns on its first two possessions of the game -- only the second time this season that the Ravens reached the end zone on back-to-back drives.

Boller looked poised as he completed his first six passes, which included a pretty two-yard touchdown throw to Heap. A 22-yard pass to wide receiver Derrick Mason helped set up Baltimore's second touchdown, an 11-yard run by rookie Mark Clayton that came off of a direct snap.

In the second quarter, Boller directed the Ravens on a 96-yard scoring drive, their longest of the season. He completed 5 of 7 passes for 65 yards in that stretch, which included three passes that converted third downs. On third and four from the Packers 13-yard line, Boller connected with wide receiver Randy Hymes for a touchdown. Hymes, a 6-foot-3 former Grambling basketball player, essentially boxed out his defender -- 5-10 Ahmad Carroll -- and leapt high for Boller's pass, which he corralled with one hand.

"We've always had our faith in Kyle; that's never been a question," linebacker Terrell Suggs said. "I hope it boosts his confidence and lets him know that you are here for a reason, you can play, go out there and play and have fun."

Note: Packers running back Samkon Gado left the game with a sprained medial collateral ligament in the first quarter. He will be examined Tuesday, Coach Mike Sherman said.