The Baltimore Ravens played their best game of the preseason so far, beating the Jacksonville Jaguars, 48-17, on Aug. 23 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md.
The Ravens are now 2-1 with one more preseason game left to tune up before the regular season begins on Sept. 10.
Here’s how the game played out:
Ravens Starters Looked Terrific
Usually, starters only play in the first half of preseason games. But an unofficial tradition every year around the NFL has starters playing well into the second half during the third game of the preseason. It’s the last chance starters have to get their bodies acclimated to a full game before the regular season starts.
The Ravens followed this tradition, playing their starters up until the halfway mark of the third quarter. The first string didn’t disappoint, looking very sharp against the Jaguars’ starters.
Fifth-year quarterback Joe Flacco played one of his best games, completing 27-of-36 passes for 266 yards and two touchdowns. The Ravens’ offense has used a new approach so far this season, running a quick-paced, no-huddle offense that keeps defenses on their heels and prevents opponents from subbing in fresh players. Flacco appeared very comfortable in the no-huddle, barking out plays and commands at the line of scrimmage. He completed a pass to nine different receivers using the no-huddle, and the coaching staff may want to keep this style of offense around for good.
“We felt good, and we had a good rhythm going,” Flacco said. “We’ve done a little bit of it every year that I’ve been here, but we’re trying to expand on it and get even quicker. We’re looking to determine the tempo and put the defense on their heels a little bit. We’re starting to grow at it, but I still think we have a little ways to go to get it to where we really want it to be and be really successful with it.”
Of the nine receivers who caught a pass from Flacco, second-year receiver Torrey Smith stood out, catching eight passes for 103 yards. Veteran receiver Anquan Boldin followed with three catches for 39 yards and a touchdown.
With Flacco throwing the ball so well, the Ravens went away from the running game, leaving Pro Bowl running back Ray Rice with only 2 carries for 30 yards, including a 28-yard run on one of the earlier drives of the game.
Baltimore’s starting defense also dominated the Jaguars, holding them to just three points through the first three quarters. Jags’ starting quarterback Blaine Gabbert completed only 11-of-21 passes for 117 yards in the first three quarters of play, while Jags starting running back Rashard Jennings ran for 57 yards on 13 carries.
Jacksonville drove the field a few times to reach Ravens territory, but Baltimore’s defense stiffened up in the red zone to keep their opponents out of the end zone.
Ravens’ cornerback Lardarious Webb led the starters with six tackles and a pass deflection. Linebacker Jameel McClain followed with five solo tackles, while star linebacker Ray Lewis followed with four tackles.
Rookie Justin Tucker may have won the starting gig at kicker for the Ravens. He was 2-for-2 on field goal attempts, converting a 33-yarder and a 53-yarder with plenty of room left to spare. Tucker also did a good job on kickoffs, kicking several touchbacks during the game.
Baltimore’s Backups Didn’t Let Up
The Ravens’ starters left the game with a 20-3 lead, but the backups were nearly as impressive, outscoring Jacksonville’s backups 28-14 during the final quarter-and-a-half of the game.
Second-string quarterback Tyrod Taylor redeemed himself for his poor performance against the Detroit Lions last week, making several plays against the Jags. He threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to second-year receiver LaQuan Williams at the end of the third quarter, and then ran for a 5-yard touchdown at the top of the fourth quarter.
Taylor’s one mistake came mid-way through the fourth quarter as he lobbed up a bad pass that was picked off and returned 45 yards for a touchdown by Jags backup cornerback A. Dennard. Taylor responded well to the interception, however, throwing a 48-yard touchdown pass to backup running back Bobby Rainey.
Ravens’ backup running back Bernard Pierce was effective rushing the ball later in the game, totaling 35 yards on 10 carries. Fellow backup running back Damien Berry shared snaps with Pierce, rushing for 40 yards on seven carries; Rainey finished with three catches for 73 yards and a touchdown.
Rookie receiver Tommie Streeter, a 6-foot, 5-inch, 220-pound speed receiver who fans have raved about since he was drafted this offseason, caught his first touchdown as a pro, a 33-yard strike from third-string quarterback Curtis Painter. Streeter’s touchdown gave the Ravens a 48-17 lead with 50 seconds left in the game.
Baltimore’s backup defense did their jobs, keeping Jacksonville’s backups out of the end zone for the most part. They did, however, allow a late drive by Jacksonville, capped off by a 13-yard touchdown run by backup running back Richard Murphy. Jags’ second-string quarterback Chad Henne completed just 5-of-10 passes for 57 yards to end the game. Ravens rookie linebacker Nigel Carr led all backups with six tackles.
The Ravens will play their fourth and final preseason game on Thursday, Aug. 30 against the St. Louis Rams at Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Mo.
