Within the final tuneup earlier than the Ravens’ regular-season opener in opposition to the New York Jets on Sept. 11, Baltimore prolonged its NFL-record preseason successful streak to 23 video games with a 17-15 victory in opposition to the Washington Commanders on Saturday night time.
It marks the sixth straight undefeated preseason for the Ravens, who haven't misplaced an exhibition sport since Sept. 3, 2015.
“Like I say on a regular basis, ‘There’s significance and which means to the whole lot in life,’” Ravens coach John Harbaugh mentioned. “The fellows that had been on the market enjoying, I promise you, it’s vital to these guys who performed within the sport and located a method to win the sport.”
The Ravens had been held scoreless within the first quarter as backup quarterback Tyler Huntley solely accomplished two passes for 25 yards on two drives after going 29-for-32 for 238 yards and two touchdowns (118.4 passer ranking) in his first two preseason video games. However Baltimore supplied a much-needed jolt inside M&T Financial institution Stadium on its first drive of the second quarter.
With the Ravens trailing 3-0, quarterback Anthony Brown launched a 67-yard landing cross to newly acquired free-agent extensive receiver Demarcus Robinson, who burned a defender on a double transfer, to present Baltimore a 7-3 benefit with 14:22 on the clock.
Brown then threw a 50-yard cross to extensive receiver Binjimen Victor on the primary play of the third quarter, establishing a 38-yard discipline objective by punter-kicker Cameron Dicker, who was signed Friday to present Justin Tucker some relaxation. Brown completed 14-for-18 for 254 yards and two whole touchdowns.
Brown’s 8-yard speeding landing halfway by means of the third quarter gave Baltimore a 17-6 lead. Nonetheless, the Commanders made a final push within the fourth quarter as third-string quarterback Sam Howell threw a 12-yard landing cross to operating again Reggie Bonnafon. The Ravens prevented Washington from tying the sport by breaking apart a 2-point conversion try, and so they stopped the Commanders in their very own territory on an ensuing drive to seal the victory.
“It says so much about these guys,” Harbaugh mentioned. “Everybody was drained on the market. The Washington gamers had been gassed. It was survival of the fittest on the finish there.”
Right here’s a take a look at the risers and fallers from Saturday’s sport:
Risers
C Tyler Linderbaum
After lacking two weeks with a foot damage, Linderbaum, a first-round draft decide in April, began in his preseason debut and performed all the first quarter earlier than getting changed by Patrick Mekari.
The previous Iowa standout returned to the sector Tuesday after getting injured whereas blocking on a operating play at follow Aug. 5. Linderbaum has been a projected starter since obligatory minicamp and has taken nearly all of first-team reps when wholesome.
“I believe he did OK,” Harbaugh mentioned. “I noticed him rise up on a linebacker one time — that was good to see. However, it was simply good to get him on the market. For him to have the expertise of enjoying in a sport earlier than he performs in an everyday season sport is essential.”
Linderbaum mentioned it was irritating being sidelined throughout coaching camp, however he has little doubt that he will likely be 100% by Week 1. “We have now a fantastic coaching workers and medical doctors right here to get me prepared,” he mentioned. “So, I’m trying ahead to it.”
With Linderbaum again and left sort out Ronnie Stanley being cleared to follow, the Ravens are getting nearer to seeing their projected beginning offensive line on the sector.
WR Demarcus Robinson
Robinson, who signed with Baltimore final week, didn’t take lengthy to make a long-lasting first impression. On second-and-6 early within the second quarter, Brown aired out a deep cross to Robinson, who acquired behind a Washington defender with a double transfer and secured the catch earlier than high-stepping into the tip zone for a landing.
Robinson was everywhere in the stat sheet, ending with 4 catches for 135 yards and a landing. He caught 13-yard cross with three minutes left within the first half, and after Robinson’s second landing was dominated incomplete,he hauled in a 52-yard cross from Brown with 10:31 remaining within the third quarter.
“He ran an all-go, after which he ran an out-and-up, so these are routes he’s run,” Harbaugh mentioned. “However, it wasn’t simply that. He had a pair different catches on fundamental offensive, passing sport routes, and he executed very properly. That’s what we anticipated. That’s what we thought we had been getting. To see him go on the market and do it within the purple and black uniform is type of good to see.”
Robinson joined the Ravens after he was surprisingly launched from the Las Vegas Raiders within the first spherical of roster cuts final week. He beforehand spent the primary 5 seasons of his profession with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, and his greatest season got here in 2020 when he had 45 catches for 464 yards and three touchdowns.
Based on Spotrac, Robinson’s one-year, $1 million deal contains $895,000 assured, which means the Ravens will more than likely hold him on the roster for the season. With Rashod Bateman, Devin Duvernay, Tylan Wallace and James Proche II all lacking time throughout coaching camp, Robinson confirmed on Saturday that he might push for extra enjoying time or not less than function a high quality backup.
Inside linebacker depth
It solely took inside linebacker Kristian Welch 18 minutes of play to develop into the Ravens’ preseason sack chief.
Late within the first quarter, Welch recorded half of a sack when he and a handful of defensive linemen swarmed Howell for an 11-yard loss. Moments later, Welch blew previous the Commanders’ offensive linemen to take down Howell for a 10-yard loss. Welch totaled 9 tackles (six solo), 2 1/2 sacks and three quarterback hits.
“I used to be attempting to place my greatest foot ahead such as you do in some other sport,” mentioned Welch, who signed as an undrafted free agent in 2020 out of Iowa. “I didn’t take a look at this sport any in a different way as I'd some other sport. You simply go on the market and attempt to have enjoyable, fly round and let the chips fall the place they could.”
When requested if he makes use of the competitors for a roster spot as motivation, Welch mentioned “it’s essential.”
“I'd be mendacity if I mentioned it wasn’t an essential time of 12 months for a big proportion of the crew,” he mentioned. “You simply go on the market and never attempt to get too concerned. Let the sport come to you. Put together off the sector, watch the movie, get your playbook and the whole lot you are able to do to place your self within the place to make performs.”
Welch wasn’t the one inside linebacker who had a formidable efficiency. Undrafted rookie Josh Ross, who performed for defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald at Michigan final season, constructed off his strong efficiency in final weekend’s victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Ross, a five-year starter for the Wolverines, posted a team-best 11 tackles (seven solo).
Fallers
G Tyre Phillips
Earlier this month, Harbaugh mentioned he would need to know by the third preseason sport who would begin at left guard within the season opener. Ben Powers sat out on Saturday, a sign he’s gained the beginning job over Phillips and Ben Cleveland.
Offensive coordinator Greg Roman mentioned after the primary week of coaching camp that Powers, a 2019 fourth-round draft decide, was main the competitors. Harbaugh mentioned Powers was the “most constant” of the left guards, having proven regular enchancment throughout the board.
Phillips didn’t assist his case throughout the Ravens’ win over the Cardinals final week, choosing up two penalties at guard and one at sort out.
Working again readability — once more
There’s nonetheless no readability as to who may begin at operating again for Baltimore if J.Okay. Dobbins can’t play in opposition to the Jets. Mike Davis, Nate McCrary and rookie Tyler Badie mixed for 10 carries for 20 yards in opposition to the Commanders. Davis ran the ball twice for no optimistic yardage whereas Badie, the sixth-round decide from Missouri, averaged 2.4 yards on 5 carries, together with his longest run being a 4-yard acquire.
Outdoors linebacker depth
Tyus Bowser, nonetheless rehabilitating a torn Achilles tendon, will miss not less than the crew’s first 4 video games after being positioned on the reserve/physically-unable-to-perform record Friday, and Saturday confirmed the Ravens might need some depth issues at exterior linebacker.
Odafe Oweh starred all through coaching camp and veteran Justin Houston has been regular, however he’s 33 years outdated. Behind them is Steven Means, 32 who had three tackles and a half a sack in opposition to the Commanders. In the meantime, Daelin Hayes, who left follow early Tuesday and didn’t return the remainder of the week, was sidelined Saturday, and rookie David Ojabo continues to be recovering from a torn Achilles tendon.
The Ravens may be looking out for an outdoor linebacker after groups trim their rosters to 53 gamers on Tuesday.
Gamers on the bubble
Cornerback Kevin Seymour and defensive sort out Aaron Crawford, two gamers on the roster bubble who had strong coaching camps, suffered accidents Saturday.
Crawford walked into the medical tent late within the third quarter after struggling a groin damage and didn't return. Harbaugh mentioned after the sport that the damage “could possibly be severe.”
Seymour injured his ankle when linebacker Zakoby McClain inadvertently dove into Seymour whereas attempting to catch a deflected cross on the potential game-tying 2-point try. Though Seymour wanted to be helped off the sector by a pair of trainers, Harbaugh mentioned he doesn’t suppose Seymour’s damage is severe.
Week 1
RAVENS@JETS
Sunday, Sept. 11, 1 p.m.
TV: Chs. 13, 9
Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM
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