Ravens overcome a week of distraction and loss of Rice with 26-6 win over Steelers

Another Rice jersey sighting. One fan wearing one says he plans to exchange his. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
One fan outside M&T Bank Stadium says he owns two Ray Rice jerseys that he'd like to keep wearing, but he's afraid to now.(WTOP/Michelle Basch)
This jersey is transformed through the magic of duct tape. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
Jennifer is still proudly wearing her Ray Rice jersey near M&T Bank Stadium.(WTOP/Michelle Basch)
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BALTIMORE (AP) — Playing three days after running back Ray Rice was released, the Ravens got a pair of touchdown passes from Joe Flacco and rolled past the rival Pittsburgh Steelers 26-6 on Thursday night.

Rice was reaching the end of a two-game suspension for domestic violence when a video of him striking his then-fiancee surfaced Monday. By the end of the day, the three-time Pro Bowl star had been cut by Baltimore and suspended indefinitely by the NFL.

The Ravens (1-1) shrugged off the distraction to bounce back from a season-opening loss at home to division rival Cincinnati.

Bernard Pierce took over for Rice to gain 96 yards on 22 carries as part of a ground game that finished with 157 yards. Flacco went 21 for 29 for 166 yards and two TD passes to tight end Owen Daniels, and Justin Tucker kicked four field goals.

Pittsburgh (1-1) managed only two field goals and committed three turnovers.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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