This Time, the Oilers Hang On
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Oilers’ playoff hopes are alive for at least another week.
Al Del Greco kicked three field goals, including two from 48 yards, as the Oilers broke a two-game losing skid Sunday with a 16-14 victory over the Baltimore Ravens.
“There was a lot of pressure to win this ball game,” Tennessee Coach Jeff Fisher said. “Now to win the remaining three seems a lot easier than it did to win the remaining four.”
But the Oilers (7-6), who lost on a last-second field goal a week ago at Seattle, had to hold off a comeback bid by Baltimore’s Jim Harbaugh.
The Ravens (5-8) made it 16-14 with 1:46 left as Floyd Turner caught his second touchdown pass of the game from Harbaugh, this one covering 20 yards.
The Ravens forced Tennessee to punt, and Harbaugh got the ball back with 1:18 left.
Two plays later, he passed to Turner down the middle, but rookie cornerback Samari Rolle tipped the ball, and Steve Jackson dove and grabbed it for the interception at the Oiler 40 to seal the victory with 43 seconds left.
The Oilers scored on their first three possessions, then played keep-away by holding the ball for more than 38 minutes, a season-high.
Baltimore, playing without receivers Jermaine Lewis and Michael Jackson, had only one first down and 11 yards offense in the first quarter.
Harbaugh finished 15 for 28 for 214 yards, with most of the yardage coming on a 66-yard touchdown pass to Turner in the third quarter and the final 80-yard touchdown drive.
The Raven defense had a season-high six sacks.