Ravens report card: 8/20/2018
The Baltimore Ravens beat the Indianapolis professional football team 20 to 19 on the road. The Ravens first team played about a quarter in this game.
Quarterback: Joe Flacco looked great and was sharp on all his throws. Flacco went seven for nine for 79 yards and a touchdown, Flacco’s 137 quarterback rating was great.
Lamar Jackson struggled in this game. While Jackson’s 76.8 quarterback rating was saved by a touchdown it did not tell the full story. Jackson went just seven for 15 on his throws for just 49 yards. Jackson averaged just 3.3 yards on his throws which is not good. Overall not a great game for Jackson.
Robert Griffin III was solid going six for eight for 31 yards.
Grade B
Running backs: Kenneth Dixon got a lot of playing time and played very well. Dixon was effective in the run game and passing game. Gus Edwards had the most carries with 15 carries and only averaged 2.9 yards a carry, he was not as effective as Dixon. Buck Allen was solid on his three carries. The other running backs did not see much action or any. Grade C+
Receivers: Michael Crabtree had a big 29 yard reception that Flacco hit on the dime. Hayden Hurst again looked solid. John Brown and Chris Moore had touchdown receptions. This unit looks good. Grade B+
Offensive line: The offensive line continues to improve but still allowed three sacks. Offensive line play in the preseason is hard because so many players are getting changed in and out. Ronnie Stanley was hurt during this game but it seemed as though is injury was minor. Grade B
Overall Offense: The offense stalled on a number of drives but there was a lot of positive things to be hopeful for. Flacco’s play in the preseason has been outstanding so far. Grade B
Defensive line: The Ravens only allowed 69 rushing yards in this game and had four sacks. This unit is deep. Grade A
Linebackers: Terrell Suggs looked dominate in his limited action. Young linebackers Kenny Young and Tim Williams look like they could make an impact for the Ravens. Tyus Bowser and Williams proved two big sacks. Grade A
Secondary: The Ravens secondary made Andrew Luck look like a scrub and caused him to have a terrible 24.5 quarterback rating in his return. The Ravens secondary is deep. The other Indianapolis quarterbacks played a little better than Luck. Anthony Levine Sr. and Stanley Jean-Baptiste had interceptions for the Ravens. Grade A
Overall Defense: This unit has played great all preseason and will be one of the best and deepest in the NFL. Grade A
Special Teams: Justin Tucker missed another long field goal and the Ravens had trouble with fumbles on special teams. This was a bad game for the special teams unit. Grade D
Coaching Staff: The Ravens do not know how to lose preseason games. Grade A
Overall: Any game the Ravens beat the former Baltimore Colts is a good game. Grade A