LANDOVER, Maryland (Ticker) -- After being shut down in the first half, Stephen Davis pounded away at the vaunted defense of the Baltimore Ravens.
Davis scored on a 33-yard run early in the fourth quarter for the game's only touchdown, lifting the Washington Redskins to a 10-3 victory over the Ravens in the Battle of the Beltway.
Separated by 50 miles of interstate highway, the Ravens and Redskins are rivals by geographic proximity alone and not because of any on-the-field bitterness. But with both teams residing atop their respective divisions, today's matchup was a hard-hitting affair from start to finish.
"It was the kind of game as advertised," Ravens coach Brian Billick said. "A tough, physical game. They were able to make the one big play that we weren't and that was the difference in the ballgame."
Davis, who began the day second in the league in rushing with 597 yards, was held to two yards on five carries in the first half.
But despite's Baltimore's No. 1 ranking against the run, the Redskins handed the ball to Davis 16 more times in the second half and he produced 89 yards, including the game-winning 33-yard score 42 seconds into the fourth quarter.
"I was frustrated (in the first half), but you've got to stay patient and poised," Davis said. "I feel like if we keep pounding and pounding them, ultimately we're going to break something."
Davis finished with 91 yards on 21 carries, extending Baltimore's streak of not allowing a 100-yard rusher to 24 consecutive games.
The win was the fourth straight for the Redskins (5-2), who remain tied with the New York Giants for first place in the NFC East.
"In the second half, the guys blocked better and we were able to give our runners a place to go," Redskins coach Norv Turner said. "It's nice to earn a win against a good team. Everybody feels like they contributed to the win."
The offensive woes continued for the Ravens (5-2), who have failed to score a touchdown in 12 straight quarters.
Today, the Ravens managed just a 51-yard field goal by Matt Stover in the second quarter and squandered a golden opportunity when Tony Banks was intercepted in the end zone by linebacker Keith Mitchell as he attempted to hit tight end Shannon Sharpe late in the first half with the game tied at 3-3.
"We can't make any more excuses," Sharpe said. "We have to look at everything and find a way to get the ball in the end zone."
The loss dropped Baltimore in a virtual first-place tie with Tennessee (4-1) in the AFC Central.
The Redskins broke a scoreless tie when Kris Heppner, their third kicker this season, booted a 37-yard field goal with 7:45 left in the half.
Washington waived Michael Husted, who kicked two game-winning field goals but missed a pair in last week's 17-14 victory over Philadelphia, earlier in the week and signed Heppner, a rookie free agent cut by Seattle.
Brad Johnson hit running back Larry Centers with an 18-yard pass on a 3rd-and-8 play and connected with James Thrash on a 23-yard pass to set up the field goal.
Stover's game-tying kick with 3:14 left in the half capped a nine-play, 28-yard drive. Banks kept it alive with an 11-yard pass to Jermaine Lewis on a 3rd-and-7 play.
The Ravens defense created an opportunity when linebacker Jamie Sharper forced a fumble by Davis and cornerback Chris McAlister recovered for the Ravens at the Washington 42.
Banks rushed for 10 yards and hit running back Jamal Lewis with a nine-yard pass to the Washington 23. Lewis rushed for 13 more yards on two running plays and a pass interference penalty on safety Matt Stevens set up the Ravens at the Washington 1.
But with 1st-and-goal at the 1 with 10 seconds left in the half, Banks attempted to hit Sharpe, who was double-covered by linebackers Mitchell and Greg Jones. Mitchell stepped in front of Sharpe to pick off the pass and Jones hit the tight end from behind.
"I saw Shannon break out and I just wanted to make a play to catch the ball," Mitchell said. "I don't think he (Banks) saw me. If they would have scored there, we would have had to come from behind in the second half."
The Redskins drove deep into Baltimore territory on their first possession of the second half, but cornerback Duane Starks intercepted an underthrown pass intended for Albert Connell at the Ravens 6 and returned it six yards.
Washington bridged the third and fourth quarter with a seven-play, 80-yard TD drive. Johnson hit Centers with an 11-yard pass, Davis busted up the middle for a 16-yard gain and Johnson connected with tight end Stephen Alexander on a 14-yard play to the Baltimore 36.
Two plays later, Davis followed a crushing lead block by Centers on the left side and broke a tackle by Rod Woodson on his 33-yard TD run.
The Redskins consumed the final 5 1/2 minutes of the game as Davis rushed seven times for 21 yards.
Johnson completed 18-of-27 passes for 158 yards and Thrash caught six passes for 62 yards.
Banks was 16-of-27 for 135 yards with a costly interception.
"I do feel like I'm under pressure," Banks said. "I'm throwing balls in the dirt that I never have. I have to go out and relax and make the plays I know I can. I haven't lost confidence."
