Baltimore Ravens Starters' Performance Overshadowed by Fight, Final Score

When you read about the Baltimore Ravens 31-13 preseason loss to the Washington Redskins Sunday, most of the focus is going to be squarely on the fight that broke out, and the final score. This is unfortunate as the part of the game that is truly relevant to the regular season was very much a win for the Ravens.

Patrick Semansky/Associated Press

The third preseason game of the year is the one where a team’s starters get the most significant opportunity to play. This is the time when a team can really knock off the rust and give coaches and fans a pretty good indication of what is in store for the games that really matter.

And what everyone saw from the Ravens starters is they had put last week behind them, and were fired up to play some football. If you recall, the Ravens took a beating at the hand of the Philadelphia Eagles 40-17 in the second week of preseason, highlighted by dreadful play from both the starting offense and defense. Even kick coverage allowed a touchdown.

This time around, the Ravens offense came out firing on all cylinders. As Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun pointed out, the Ravens scored on their first three drives, and should have scored on their fourth.

Baltimore took no time to get going. Quarterback Joe Flacco hooked up with wide receiver Steve Smith on the fourth play from scrimmage for a beautiful catch-and-run for a 63-yard touchdown.

"

The @89SteveSmith Retirement Tour will consist of Steve Smith retiring defenders for touchdowns. #WASvsBAL http://t.co/oAsQk6JEGI

— NFL (@NFL) August 29, 2015"

The first-team offense followed that up with back-to-back field-goal drives, one of which had a touchdown called back on a penalty. Tight end Crockett Gillmore caught the ball down the seam, and bulldozed his way into the end zone. However, a strange offensive pass interference penalty on wide receiver Kamar Aiken away from the play created offsetting penalties and negated the score.

"

@CrockettG7 first you take up for the guy, then he ruins this highlight reel #comeonman pic.twitter.com/pE1VJcu6eT

— Austin Gillmore (@Coach_Gillmore) August 30, 2015"

By the time the first quarter wrapped, the first-team offense was really humming. Of course the quarter ended with the already infamous tackle and subsequent fight/ejections. It's doubtful the first-team units would have stayed out much past this anyway, but with tensions through the roof, it was wise to get the starters to the sidelines.

"

Video of Steve Smith's fight tonight. #WASvsBAL https://t.co/libBqSG3ug

— CAR Panthers News (@CarPanthersNews) August 30, 2015"

The news for the first-team defense in the first quarter was just as promising. At the end of the first quarter, the Redskins had only gained 10 yards rushing. As great as this is, the value of this performance was increased exponentially when you consider how the Eagles absolutely gashed the starters just a week ago.

And even though Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins finished with 190 yards passing, most of his damage came after the starters were off the field. The Ravens defensive performance was punctuated by two plays that had to get Ravens coaches excited.

First, veteran outside linebacker Terrell Suggs makes a sweet athletic play to haul in an interception on a risky throw by Cousins on a screen pass. You can check out the play below.

"

Kirk Cousins throws the ball directly at Terrell Suggs, gets picked. #WASvsBAL http://t.co/423S5Q67F5

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) August 30, 2015"

The other statement play by the Ravens defense came in the form of a fourth-down stop. The Redskins had found their way into Baltimore territory, but they stalled on third down at the Ravens 40-yard line. Only needing one yard, Washington opted to go for it, and try to power through with running back Alfred Morris. However, linebacker C.J. Mosley and safety Will Hill had other ideas.

"

The defense STUFFS Washington's fourth-down attempt. Will Hill & C.J. Mosley both forced their way into the backfield. Turnover on downs.

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 30, 2015"

Of course, it is disconcerting how the wheels fell off for the Ravens in the final three quarters. And with roster cuts coming up quickly, it would have been nice to see a stronger effort out of so many roster bubble type players. However, when it comes down to the guys this team is going to count on to try to get back to the Super Bowl, things are looking great.