Ravens Refuse to Lose in Preseason

Folks, there’s only three things you can count on in life. I’m sure you’ve heard it before, but I’m going to tell you again. Those things are death, taxes, and John Harbaugh in the preseason.

The Ravens closed out the preseason the same way they have for the past 4 seasons: winning. The Ravens topped the Redskins 20-7 to extend their preseason win streak to 17 games. The longest such streak in the last 25 years.

OFFENSE

The Ravens opened up scoring with a 48-yard field goal by Elliott Fry, and with exception to a 7-yard touchdown pass from Dwayne Haskins, they never looked back.

Trace McSorley’s 15-of-27 for 171 yards and 1 touchdown (which was an outside shoulder beauty) did not match his Week 3 totals, but it was enough to lock in his roster spot. Which, in my humble opinion, was a no brainer from the get go. In the meantime, I’ll be using this play to hold me over until regular season football.

While we’re on the topics of making plays and earning roster spots, let’s talk about Jaleel Scott. At 6’5″ 210 lbs, the 2018 4th rounder seemed like a good addition for the Ravens who have lacked a redzone threat for years. Last night he proved that he has potential to be just that by posting 87 yards on 6 grabs and hauling in the touchdown above.

As far as running backs go, both De’Lance Turner and Kenneth Dixon performed well last night with 62 and 66 yards respectively. Unfortunately for them, their tickets for the 53 man roster will likely go unpunched. Realistically, I see an injury prone Dixon getting the axe unless we find a trade partner, and Turner finding his way back to the practice squad. Although it would not surprise me if the Ravens do decide to open up a 4th RB spot on the depth chart.

DEFENSE

On the other side of the ball, the Ravens were not shy about making plays. The Ravens held the Redskins in check with 180 total yards forcing (overturned) fumbles, and blocking punts along the way.

Kenny Young’s forced fumble, albeit overturned, set the tone early. This is a good example of what he can provide for this team over the course of the season. This play gets me excited, so please join me in re-watching it and pretending it didn’t get called back.

Brynden Trawick’s interception was all things considered a good play, I just don’t think I’m ready to forgive him for breaking Jacoby Jones’ knee in 2013.

All in all, I think the Ravens are geared up for 16 more weeks of defensive terror. While many pundits have chosen to latch onto the fact of the players who left this offseason, I believe they underestimated who will be stepping into those open spots. Or maybe I just like this team too much.

LOOKING AHEAD

The Ravens travel to Miami to open up the regular season on September 8. That is unless Hurricane Dorian wipes the entire state of Florida off the map.

The Dolphins named Ryan Fitzpatrick their week 1 starter which could go either extremely well or extremely terrible for them. There is no in between. I’m leaning toward the latter, but that just depends on which version of Fitzpatrick takes the field next Sunday. The truth is: nobody really knows with this guy.

OTHER THOUGHTS

  • 3-way tie for bad hands of the night award: Marquise Brown muffed 2 punts. Antoine Wesley dropped a well-thrown pass from a severely pressure Joe Callahan. Christopher Ezeala dropped a pass in the flat on 4th and 2, and could not recover the blocked punt (which is admittedly hard, but still).
  • The Ravens duped the Vikings. Vedvik is 0-3 since being traded.
  • Can regular season football start already?

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