In the final tuneup earlier than the Ravens’ regular-season opener towards the New York Jets on Sept. 11, Baltimore prolonged its NFL-record preseason successful streak to 23 video games with a 17-15 win towards the Washington Commanders Saturday night time.
The Ravens have been held scoreless within the first quarter as backup quarterback Tyler Huntley, who solely accomplished two passes for 25 yards on two drives after going 29-for-32 for 238 yards and two touchdowns (118.4 score) in his previous two preseason video games, however Baltimore supplied a much-needed jolt of electrical energy inside M&T Bank Stadium on its first drive of the second.
With the Ravens trailing 3-0, quarterback Anthony Brown launched a 67-yard landing cross to newly acquired free agent broad receiver Demarcus Robinson, who burned a defender on a double transfer, to provide them a 7-3 benefit with 14:22 on the clock.
Brown then threw a 50-yard cross to 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 on Friday. Brown completed 14-for-18 for 254 yards and two whole touchdowns.
Brown’s 8-yard speeding landing halfway by the third gave Baltimore an 11-point benefit. However, the Commanders made a final push within the fourth quarter as third-string quarterback Sam Howell threw a 12-yard landing cross to working again Reggie Bonnafon. But the Ravens’ protection prevented Washington from tying the sport with a 2-point conversion, and so they stopped Washington in their very own territory on an ensuing drive to seal their sixth straight undefeated preseason.
Here’s a have 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 choose in April, began in his preseason debut and performed your entire first quarter earlier than getting changed by Patrick Mekari.
The former Iowa standout returned to the sector on Tuesday after getting injured whereas blocking on a working play at observe on Aug. 5. Linderbaum has been a projected starter since necessary minicamp and has taken nearly all of first-team reps when wholesome.
With Linderbaum again and left deal with Ronnie Stanley being cleared to observe, 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 a second-and-6 early within the second quarter, Brown aired out a deep cross to Robinson, who received 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 all around the stat sheet and completed 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 a 52-yard cross from Brown with 10:31 remaining within the third quarter.
Robinson joined the Ravens after he was surprisingly launched from the Las Vegas Raiders within the first spherical of roster cuts final week. Robinson beforehand spent the primary 5 seasons of his profession with the Kansas City Chiefs and greatest season got here in 2020 when he had 45 catches for 464 yards and three touchdowns.
According to Spotrac, Robinson’s one-year, $1 million deal consists of $895,000 assured, that means the Ravens will most definitely maintain 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 may push for extra taking part in time or no less than function a top quality backup.
Inside linebacker depth
It solely took Welch 18 minutes of play to turn 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.
Welch wasn’t the one inside linebacker who has a formidable efficiency. Undrafted rookie Josh Ross, who performed for defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald at Michigan final season, constructed off his stable 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, coach John Harbaugh stated he would wish 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 stated after the primary week of coaching camp that Powers, a 2019 fourth-round draft choose, was main the competitors. Harbaugh stated Powers was the “most consistent” of the left guards, saying he’s proven regular enchancment throughout the board.
Phillips didn’t assist his case in the course of the Ravens’ win over the Cardinals final week, choosing up two penalties at guard and one at deal with.
Running again readability — once more
There’s nonetheless no readability who would possibly begin at working again for Baltimore if working again J.Okay. Dobbins can’t play towards the Jets. Mike Davis, rookie Tyler Badie and Nate McCrary mixed for 10 carries and 20 yards towards the Commanders. Davis ran the ball twice for no optimistic yardage whereas Badie, the sixth-round choose from Missouri, averaged 2.4 yards on 5 carries, along with his longest run being a 4-yard acquire.
Outside linebacker depth
Tyus Bowser, nonetheless rehabilitating a torn Achilles tendon, will miss no less than the group’s first 4 video games after being positioned on the reserve/physically-unable-to-perform checklist Friday, and Saturday confirmed the Ravens may 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 towards the Commanders. Meanwhile, Daelin Hayes, who left observe early on Tuesday and didn’t return for the remainder of the week, was sidelined on Saturday, and rookie David Ojabo continues to be recovering from a torn Achilles tendon.
The Ravens is likely to be looking out for an outdoor linebacker after groups trim their rosters to 53 gamers on Tuesday.
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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Source: www.bostonherald.com