The best things coming out of the Baltimore Ravens second preseason game (a 27-12 loss to the Detroit Lions) are that there did not appear to be any significant injuries, and the team moved one step closer to the beginning of the regular season.
The Good:
1) The Ravens first offensive series started with Flacco and Williams connecting for a 1st down with a slant over the middle. Using the ‘sugar huddle’ the drive continued, with Flacco finding Boldin for another 1st.
2) Great special teams play on Koch’s first punt. Strong coverage showed again, on a Koch punt in the middle of the 3rd.
3) Kemoeatu got through, and provided the Lions with a 5 yard loss on Detroit’s first offensive series.
4) Baltimore’s 2nd offensive series had a nice inside screen to Rice. On 3rd and 5, Flacco found Boldin for another Ravens 1st down. The drive continued when Flacco found Williams on the sideline, for Williams’ 2nd catch and another 1st, as Williams made a good play on the ball. Running up the middle, Rice made a couple of strong runs to pick up another 1st. Overall, the 2nd drive went 11 plays and covered 60 yards.
5) Kruger made a play in pass coverage on 3rd and 2, getting outside to knock down a pass.
6) Backed-up close to their goal-line on their 3rd possession, Flacco found Leach as the outlet receiver, picking up 15 yards. On the very next play, Jones flashed his speed rushing for 35 yards. Pearce had a couple of good carries, staying low to the ground and moving forward 6 yards. That was followed by a 7 yard gain, bringing the Ravens to the Detroit 31.
7) Baltimore out-gained the Lions in the 1st Quarter 139-45.
8) Tucker put the Ravens up 6-0, with his 50 yard FG in the 2nd Quarter. Late in the 4th, Tucker hit his 2nd attempt, this time from 45 yards. Tucker also had a nice onside attempt.
9) Flacco was 7 for 12 for 79 yards. He looked good, and would have had even better numbers had his receivers come down with a couple of other make-able catches.
10) McClain made a strong tackle on a Kevin Smith reception in the open field.
11) Billick on the FOX telecast did a good job illustrating the Ravens (and their new Defensive Coordinator Dean Pees) disguising coverage in the 2nd Quarter.
12) On Taylor’s 2nd series under Center, he found Doss over the middle for 15 yards. Taylor followed that with an 11 yard run of his own. Rainey continued to impress with a couple of positive plays. (He finished with 4 catches for 20 yards.) You like how Rainey keeps his legs moving, and can cause people to miss.
12a) Taylor had 7 carries for 60 yards, at-least showing something positive with his legs.
13) Having seen Tucker hit from 50 yards out, Cundiff knocked home a 44 yard FG of his own with about 5:30 left in the 2nd Quarter.
14) Berry had an 11 yard rush in the 3rd. He also had 6 catches for 59 yards.
15) Asa Jackson’s 85 yard PR for a TD was wiped out by penalty, but for the 2nd straight game; Jackson showed some big play ability.
16) I thought Upshaw looked pretty good, particularly against the run.
17) After picking up 3 turnovers in the preseason opener against Atlanta, Omar Brown recovered a fumble in the 4th Quarter tonight. The fumble was caused by Christian Thompson. Then later in the 4th, O. Brown recovered the onside kick. That is a lot of ‘finding the ball’ in two weeks for Brown.
18) Deonte Thompson had a 42 yard KR.
19) Painter came in late in the 4th, and converted several first downs. He was going against the deep reserves of the Lions, but he looked significantly better than Taylor. His starting experience last year has to count for something.
The Bad:
1) The Ravens first offensive series ended, when Jones was not able to come-up with a catch down the field on 3rd and 6.
2) Webb missed a tackle on Calvin Johnson, which resulted in additional yards gained on the Lions first possession.
3) After getting to 1st and Goal on the Lions 7 yard line, Baltimore had to settle for a FG for their first points of the game. They were moved back 10 yards, after Oher was charged with a penalty.
4) Kruger did a good job knocking down the 3rd and 2 pass on Detroit’s 2nd possession, but he should have had the pick. Kruger was also called for roughing the passer on the Lions 2nd TD.
5) Baltimore’s 3rd drive ended, with Flacco being sacked on 3rd and 1 from the Detroit 29, forcing the Ravens into a long FG attempt.
6) Upshaw was charged with a penalty on 3rd and 2, giving Detroit a 1st down. The Lions would have been forced to attempt a FG, but instead were able to continue their drive.
7) A personal foul was called on Osmele (Detroit declined the penalty).
8) After scoring on their first possession of the 2nd Quarter, Detroit moved down the field for another score on their following drive. Their 9 play, 85 yard, 4 minute drive was culminated with Stafford finding T. Young for 24 yards over the middle.
9) Bajema should have had Taylor’s pass on 3rd and 16, near the end of the 1st half.
10) The Ravens first series of the 2nd half ended at the Ravens 22, when Taylor’s 3rd and 9 pass was a bit behind TE Matt Balasavage.
11) Jackson’s would be PR for a TD was wiped out by penalty.
12) Gorrer missed an open field tackle in the 3rd, allowing Joique Bell to pick up 11 yards.
13) Koch’s punt to start the 4th Quarter was blocked.
14) The Ravens did not record a sack, and allowed 2.
15) Baltimore was penalized 9 times for 79 yards.
16) After getting the onside, Painter was not able to advance the ball, and the series ended with him being picked.
The Ugly:
1) The Lions started their first series of the 2nd Quarter, with Johnson beating Williams down the field for 57 yards. Several plays later Johnson made a great play, abusing Jimmy Smith for a TD reception by the Lions receiver. Detroit moved 93 yards for the score in just 1:37.
2) On 3rd and 3 from the Detroit 26, Taylor missed a wide open Thompson down the sideline. There were positives on that series, but a missed opportunity for a TD there. As we mentioned above, Taylor’s biggest positives for the night came with his legs. More importantly, Taylor completed just 8 of 22 passes for 65 yards.
3) Stafford was 12 of 17 for 184 yards, and 2 TD’s against the Ravens in the 1st half.
4) The Lions added an exclamation point to their night, with Stephfon Green rushing 76 yards for a TD and Detroit’s last score.
Owner
Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.