The Ravens answered a promising 1999 season with an opening day win on September 3, 2000 in Pittsburgh, throttling the Steelers 16-0. In week 2 they would return to then PSI Net Stadium to host the Jacksonville Jaguars, a team Baltimore had never beaten in eight tries.
The Jaguars offensive attack was dynamic led by Mark Brunell with very capable skill position players in the forms of WRs Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell along with the versatile Fred Taylor.
During an afternoon that was arguably the loudest in Camden Yards’ history the Ravens won 39-36 led by Tony Banks’ 5 touchdown passes – 4 in the second half and the game winning catch by Shannon Sharpe with 41 seconds remaining.
And trust me, the way Brunell (28 of 50, 386 yards) and Jimmy Smith (15 catches, 291 yards and 3 TD’s) were getting it done, that was a LONG 41 seconds of clock remaining. Not until Corey Harris intercepted Brunell’s desperation pass with 4 seconds left did the hometown fans breathe a collective sigh of relief.
That win would be the first of six consecutive over Jacksonville and as the dominance shifted, the players changed and the then AFC Central was dissolved, the rivalry faded.
Here are some quick hits to help get you set for this weekend’s game…
