The Ravens flew out to Arizona forward of their preseason sport Sunday evening a number of days early, hoping to benefit from their time collectively as a crew. They practiced within the warmth. They watched their rookies sing at a crew dinner. They frolicked at their lodge pool.
And then, in extending their preseason successful streak to an NFL-record 22 video games, they gutted out a victory in prime time. Their 24-17 win over the Cardinals at State Farm Stadium was as a lot a testomony to the first-half excellence of tight finish Isaiah Likely and quarterback Tyler Huntley because it was to their clutch play late in all three phases.
Before rookie working again Tyler Badie ran out the clock to increase the longest preseason successful streak by any NFL crew confirmed by the Elias Sports Bureau since 1995, the Ravens obtained a booming 56-yard punt from rookie Jordan Stout to pin Arizona deep. Then they obtained a few sacks from their line of defense and a fourth-down move breakup from security Ar’Darius Washington to finish Arizona’s hopes of a comeback from a 24-3 deficit.
Here’s a have a look at the risers and fallers from Sunday’s sport.
Risers
TE Isaiah Likely
Mark Andrews didn’t have a preseason like this. Not many tight ends ever have a preseason like this. The fourth-round decide continued his breakout August with a efficiency so dominant it appeared inconceivable that Likely was bullying Sun Belt Conference defenders simply over a 12 months in the past. Likely completed the primary half with eight catches on eight targets for 100 yards and a landing. The Coastal Carolina product appeared to get open as simply as he slipped tackles; 53 of his yards got here after the catch. Over two video games, Likely has caught every part thrown his approach — actually. He has 12 catches on 12 targets for 144 yards and a landing, good for a 144.4 passer score when focused.
QB Tyler Huntley
Another environment friendly efficiency from Lamar Jackson’s backup, whose star rose (as a lot as any second-stringer’s can) in prime time. Despite taking part in with the Ravens’ second-string receiving corps, Huntley completed 13-for-14 for 129 yards and a landing (128.9 passer score). He improvised when he needed to, evading strain and increasing drives. He additionally fed the new hand, connecting with Likely eight occasions; no different Ravens receiver was focused even twice within the first half. Over two preseason video games, Huntley is 29-for-32 for 238 yards and two touchdowns (118.4 score).
DT Travis Jones
The third-round decide continues to flash, even when he runs afoul of the rulebook. On the primary drop-back of Arizona’s third drive, the Connecticut product had such a clear pass-rush win that his straight-ahead surge for quarterback Trace McSorley delivered a glancing helmet-to-helmet blow within the Cardinals’ finish zone. On the third drop-back, he appeared to get one other strain and pressure an incompletion. On the fourth and closing drop-back, one other strain, one other incompletion. Jones opened his preseason along with his first sack, and if his injured knee is wholesome, he has sufficient expertise to finish his rookie 12 months with a pair extra.
P Jordan Stout
Sometimes you’re good, and typically you’re fortunate. On the fourth-round decide’s first punt Sunday, he was good, booming a 50-yard punt that rolled inside the ten, then the 5, till cornerback Kevon Seymour downed it on the 3. On his second punt, he was good, and likewise a little bit fortunate. After hitting a 46-yard punt, the Penn State product watched Cardinals returner Greg Dortch sign for a good catch on the 3-yard line. On his closing punt, he boomed a 58-yard punt out of bounds. Stout, who added a profitable extra-point try, had an “outstanding” preseason debut in opposition to the Tennessee Titans, particular groups coordinator Chris Horton mentioned. His follow-up may’ve been even higher.
CB Damarion “Pepe” Williams
About the one factor that didn’t go proper for the fourth-round decide was Kevin Burkhardt’s pronunciation of his nickname. “Peppy,” because the Fox play-by-play man appeared to name him, continued his energetic preseason with one other high-volume sport. The Houston product had a pleasant third-down sort out within the first quarter to pressure a fourth-down move that Kyle Fuller intercepted. In the third quarter, he jumped a McSorley move for an interception that he returned 29 yards. Williams additionally had a 12-yard punt return, persevering with to construct on his candidacy if Pro Bowl returner Devin Duvernay’s ever extra wanted on offense.
Fallers
G Tyre Phillips
Early in coaching camp, offensive coordinator Greg Roman was requested how he evaluates his offensive line play. “First of all, it’s communication,” he mentioned. “The offensive line is five people acting as one, and being able to communicate, adjust, make the proper adjustments. One wrong adjustment can blow up a play.” Synchronicity was an issue for Phillips. Lined up at guard, he had two penalties in a one-minute span within the second quarter: one for a false begin and one for being illegally downfield on a run-pass-option throw. Lined up at sort out, he had one other false begin within the third quarter. That’s not one of the best ways to wrestle the beginning job away from Ben Powers.
DB Brandon Stephens
Stephens missed time in coaching camp with a soft-tissue damage, and maybe he’s nonetheless working his approach again to full power. Working primarily in opposition to Cardinals reserve extensive receiver Andy Isabella, the second-year defensive again wasn’t at his greatest. On the sport’s first play from scrimmage, he was flagged for pointless roughness on Dortch after giving a late push out of bounds. Just a few performs later, he allowed a first-down completion to Isabella on third-and-long. In the third quarter, the speedy Isabella obtained a step on Stephens on a vertical route, resulting in a 37-yard pass-interference penalty. On particular groups, he was pancaked on Jonathan Ward’s 48-yard kick return.
Preseason, Week 3
COMMANDERS@RAVENS
Saturday, 7 p.m.
TV: Ch. 11
Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM
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Source: www.bostonherald.com