RAVENS OFFENSIVE LINE HELPS GROUND GAME POUND OUT IMPRESSIVE WEEK FIVE VICTORY OVER BRONCOS
Baltimore Wins Third Straight Behind Solid Protection From Offensive Line; Joins List of Contenders for 2nd Annual Madden Most Valuable Protectors Award presented by Prilosec OTC
CINCINNATI, OH (October 13, 2010)– The Baltimore Ravens put up a season-best 415 yards on offense, including four rushing touchdowns and 233 yards on the ground in a convincing 31-17 victory over the Denver Broncos Sunday afternoon. By doing so, the Ravens offensive line has joined this year’s list of contenders for the 2ndAnnual Madden Most Valuable Protectors Award, presented byPrilosec OTC. The award honors the NFL’s best offensive line and will be presented during the week of Super Bowl XLV which will be played on February 6, 2011 in North Texas.
The Madden Most Valuable ProtectorsAward recognizes the fundamental role offensive linemen play in their teams’ success by providing consistent and reliable protection day in and day out, just as Prilosec OTC provides 24-hour heartburn protection when used as directed. Last year, the offensive line of the Super Bowl Champions New Orleans Saints was named first-ever winner of the award. For more information on the Madden Most Valuable Protectors Award presented by Prilosec OTC, visit www.MaddenProtectorsAward.com.
Baltimore running back RAY RICE (Rutgers) rushed for a season best 133 yards and scored two touchdowns as the Ravens ran out to a 17-0 lead and coasted to its third straight victory. The win allowed Baltimore to move past Pittsburgh into sole possession of first place in the AFC North.
The Baltimore offensive line was dominating throughout the game helping the Ravens pick up 17 rushing first downs while allowing just one sack and scoring touchdowns on three drives of 67 or more yards. As a result of the long drives, Baltimore dominated the time of possession (36:17 vs. 23:43 for Denver). Providing the powerful protection up front for the Ravens were tackles MICHAEL OHER (Mississippi) and MARSHAL YANDA (Iowa), guards CHRIS CHESTER (Oklahoma) and BEN GRUBBS (Auburn) as well as 13-year veteran MATT BIRK(Harvard). The Baltimore offensive line has allowed just five quarterbacks sacks on quarterback JOE FLACCO (Delaware) all season, tied for 2nd fewest in the league. JOHN MATSKO, a 37-year coaching veteran, is in his third season directing the Ravens’ offensive line.
"I really liked what I have seen from the Baltimore offensive line over the last few weeks," said Pro Football Hall of Fame Coach JOHN MADDEN. "Last week the Ravens line was extremely efficient in their pass protection in the win against Pittsburgh and this week their run blocking was exceptional allowing their running backs to pick up quality yards."
Other offensive lines from around the league delivering powerful protection during Week 5 of the season included the DALLAS COWBOYS (370 net yards passing, and a 6.1 average yards per rushing attempt), NEW YORK GIANTS (414 total net yards including 117 yards rushing and 297 yards passing) and the SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (506 total net yards including 431 yards passing).
NFL fans who want powerful 24-hour protection against frequent heartburn, or heartburn that occurs two or more days a week, can take a 14-day course of Prilosec OTC to maximize game day fun.
All player participation will be facilitated by NFL PLAYERS, the licensing and marketing subsidiary of the NFL Players Association.
About PRILOSEC OTC
PRILOSEC OTC® is the #1 physician recommended OTC acid reducer in the U.S. for the period of April 2009 through March 2010, the #1 Pharmacist recommended OTC Heartburn medicine‡ and the first of a class of OTC heartburn medicines that treats frequent heartburn with just one pill a day, unlike most over the counter heartburn medication. Prilosec OTC® is a leading heartburn medicine that can work for 24 hours with one pill a day by directly shutting down many acid pumps in your stomach when used as directed for 14 days for treating frequent heartburn. PRILOSEC OTC® is the #1 selling OTC heartburn medicine† on the market. For more information about PRILOSEC OTC®, visit www.prilosecotc.com. PRILOSEC OTC® is available over-the-counter through an alliance between P&G and AstraZeneca.
About Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG)
Four billion times a day, P&G brands touch the lives of people around the world. The company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Pampers®, Tide®, Ariel®, Always®, Whisper®, Pantene®, Mach3®, Bounty®, Dawn®, Gain®, Pringles®, Charmin®, Downy®, Lenor®, Iams®, Crest®, Oral-B®, Duracell®, Olay®, Head & Shoulders®, Wella®, Gillette®, Braun® and Fusion®. The P&G community includes approximately 135,000 employees working in about 80 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.comfor the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.
About NFL PLAYERS
Formed in 1994, NFL PLAYERS is the licensing and marketing subsidiary of the NFL Players Association. Representing more than 1,800 active and many memorable former NFL players, NFL PLAYERS "takes the helmets off" the players and markets them as personalities as well as professional athletes. Through an exclusive sponsorship agreement between the organization and the NFL, players are integrated into NFL sponsor activation programs. In addition, NFLPLAYERS.COM, the company's official Web site, is part of the NFL Internet Network. Each year, NFL PLAYERS negotiates and facilitates extensive player marketing opportunities for players. NFL PLAYERS activities include retail licensing, corporate sponsorships and promotions, special events, radio and television projects, publishing and Internet. For more information, please visit NFLPLAYERS.COM.
† Wolters Kluwer Health, Wolters Kluwer: Acid Reducer Category, thru March 2009. Data on file.
‡ Pharmacy Times, OTC Supplement, June 2009