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Owings Mills, Md. -- The Baltimore Ravens found a way to win when they didnt play their best football.That type of performance could go a long way in helping them rebound from a 5-11 finish in 2015.While the re-tooled offense struggled to make big plays, the Ravens defense took over and shut down the Buffalo Bills in a 13-7 victory in the season opener. It was just the type of game Baltimore would have struggled to win last year.We didnt make critical mistakes down the stretch, Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. We did not have critical penalties down the stretch. We played with discipline. We didnt give up big plays on offense or defense.Buffalos running attack, which averaged a league-leading 152 yards per game last season, managed just 65 yards on 24 carries. Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor completed just 15 of 22 passes for 111 yards against Baltimores revamped secondary led by Eric Weddle, who was signed in the offseason to provide more veteran leadership.Last year, the Ravens repeatedly failed to come up with an important stop in the fourth quarter and lost nine games by eight points or fewer. This time, Baltimore the defense aggressively attacked the ball and held the Bills scoreless in the second half.And when the game could have gone either way in the final quarter, the Ravens responded by not allowing a first down. A 37-yard field goal by Justin Tucker with 5:39 remaining sealed the win.While Harbaugh said he does not put much thought into last seasons struggles, it is still on the minds of many players. Cornerback Jimmy Smith said he and his teammates felt a sense of urgency and wanted to set a positive tone moving forward.Everybody in here (had) been a part of last year, so we know that no matter what happens, the game always comes down to the last two minutes, Smith said. So, as a defense, when youre in that position, you want to go out there and make a big play or stop them and make sure they dont get behind you and score -- in a tight game like that especially.The Ravens were also helped by several regular starters returning from season-ending injuries , including quarterback Joe Flacco, running back Justin Forsett, receiver Steve Smith, tight end Dennis Pitta and linebacker Terrell Suggs. Each of the players had a key role in the win and none of them appeared to be hampered by last years ailments.It felt good seeing all those faces out there that we didnt see at the end of the year last year, Forsett said. It was good to be back there with the boys.For Harbaugh, the win didnt have any special meaning except that the Ravens improved to 1-0. The focus has already turned to an important divisional game against the Cleveland Browns in Week 2.We just have to move into the next one, Harbaugh said. I was really happy we won. It was really important to win the game. Was it more important than any other year? I dont know. I forgot.---Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFLMatt Joyce Jersey . - Blake Griffin had 30 points and 12 rebounds, J. Chipper Jones Jersey .J. -- Josh Cribbs was in the Pro Bowl in February and out of a job six months later. http://www.baseballbravesproshop.com/matt-joyce-braves-jersey/ . Instead of dwelling on the negative, Oates focused on what was good about the clubs recent play. It worked. Mike Foltynewicz Braves Jersey . -- Charline Labonte couldnt have asked for a better homecoming. David Justice Jersey . LUCIE, Fla.With the regular season in the books, we turn to our SEC insiders to detail the biggest topics facing the conference heading into bowl season and the offseason.As usual, things revolve around the behemoth in Tuscaloosa. Can anyone close the gap on the Crimson Tide? How could that be done? And will a talented young crop of quarterbacks change the trajectory of the leagues play under center?How can teams close the gap on Alabama?Edward Aschoff: Well, I talked to an SEC head coach this week who said the best way to close the gap on Alabama is to stop trying to be Alabama. No SEC team can be like Alabama, not as long as Nick Saban is in Tuscaloosa. The coach literallly laughed at the idea of coaches trying to recruit like Alabama instead of devising their own recruiting plans and development methods.dddddddddddd. Trying to build like Alabama is a losing model. Alabama has cornered the market on that, so its all about being creative and building with your own brand. ?Sam Khan: Recruiting is always going to be the way, because the talent gap has to be closed. But I think it definitely has to be somebody who does something different, something aggressive and creative on both sides of the football. ' ' '