Steve McNair's interception — his fourth gaffe of the game — set up Carson Palmer's fourth-quarter touchdown pass, and Cincinnati's suspect defense pulled off a goal-line stand today that preserved a 27-20 victory over the Baltimore Ravens.

In a bruising season opener matching the last two AFC North champs, the Bengals were the last one standing — barely.

Kyle Boller took over after McNair strained his groin in the fourth quarter — the last in a nonstop run of injuries for both teams — and led the Ravens to the 1-yard line in the closing seconds.

A pass interference penalty on Todd Heap negated his catch in the end zone, and Boller's final pass deflected off Heap's shoulder and was intercepted in the end zone by diving lineman Michael Myers.

The Bengals had to work with a makeshift offensive line that was missing three starters by the second quarter. They also briefly lost kicker Shayne Graham, costing them on an extra-point try.