ATLANTA (AP) -Not even $40 million running back Willis McGahee could stir much excitement at the Georgia Dome.
McGahee was one of the few players with name recognition to play in a game decided by second-string kickers. Atlanta won 13-10 when Matt Prater, in just his second day with the Falcons, kicked two fourth-quarter field goals.
Ravens coach Brian Billick and Falcons coach Bobby Petrino planned to use their backup players almost exclusively. But Baltimore wanted to give McGahee extra snaps after bad weather suspended a loss at Washington last week.
McGahee ended a disappointing preseason in which he averaged just 2.6 yards on 18 carries. Against Atlanta, McGahee ran four times for 12 yards.
Fans knew that quarterback Michael Vick was home in Virginia after pleading guilty to federal dogfighting charges earlier this week. Joey Harrington, who has replaced Vick as the starter, joined Warrick Dunn, Alge Crumpler, Keith Brooking, John Abraham, DeAngelo Hall and Lawyer Milloy on the sideline.
Ray Lewis, Steve McNair, Ed Reed, Todd Heap and Chris McAlister did the same for Baltimore.
Bengals 14, Colts 6
CINCINNATI (AP) – Peyton Manning and Carson Palmer were spectators for a preseason game both head coaches treated more like a nuisance. Palmer didn’t even wear a brace on his surgically reconstructed left knee, knowing he wouldn’t play.
In a slight break with recent tradition, coach Tony Dungy played five of his defensive starters and one on offense – rookie left tackle Tony Ugoh – in the opening series.
Bengals kicker Aaron Elling hurt his right knee trying to make a tackle on the second-half kickoff. Elling was taken off the field on a cart, leaving the Bengals (1-3) without a kicker.
Elling was brought in Wednesday, two days after Shayne Graham bruised his right hip while trying to make a tackle against the Atlanta Falcons. The Bengals expect Graham back for the season opener Sept. 10 against Baltimore.
Super Bowl champion Indianapolis finished the preseason 1-3, as well.
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