Sam Howell was nonetheless in center faculty the final time the Baltimore Ravens had misplaced a preseason recreation. On Monday evening, he helped put an finish to one of many NFL’s most peculiar runs of success.
Washington’s new beginning quarterback threw for 188 yards and two touchdowns because the Commanders edged the Ravens 29-28 on a last-minute area objective. Joey Slye transformed from 49 yards, sending the remaining dwelling followers right into a state of jubilation not usually seen lately at FedEx Subject.
The loss marked the tip of a 24-game preseason win streak for the Ravens. Earlier than Monday, the final time the Ravens misplaced a preseason recreation was in 2015.
“It’s actually not an actual recreation, however on the similar time no matter staff you’re on, you need to win,” Howell stated. “Particularly figuring out what that they had on the opposite aspect with their little streak.”
The back-and-forth thriller featured 5 lead adjustments and led Ravens coach John Harbaugh to rebuke those that name preseason soccer meaningless.
“You by no means performed the sport,” Harbaugh stated of the critics. “You by no means had been on the market in a preseason recreation; you by no means had been preventing for a spot on the sector. And but you might have the audacity to say that the trouble that anyone places into that, to struggle and win a recreation like that, is meaningless.
“I can’t respect anyone that claims that – due to the trouble these guys put into it. And that’s why I’m so pleased with these guys, for the way in which they fought. It doesn’t matter, win or loss. It issues the way in which they went about their enterprise. And I’m pleased with that and at all times will probably be.”
Howell was named the beginning quarterback final Friday, and confirmed why the Commanders are placing their religion within the second-year passer in an important 12 months for coach Ron Rivera and new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.
“We all know how necessary the quarterback place is within the league and the way necessary it’s on this space,” Rivera stated. “We’ve been in search of one, and I feel now we have a chance to have a man that has an opportunity to be a extremely good soccer participant for us.”
Journeyman Ravens quarterback Josh Johnson matched Howell throw for throw in an exhilarating first half, a minimum of by preseason requirements.
Johnson completed 10 of 12 for 145 yards and two touchdowns, in addition to one finish zone interception the place the ball fell by the arms of receiver James Proche II and into the ready arms of Commanders defensive again Quan Martin.
These missed factors proved pricey as Washington’s third-string QB, former Georgia standout Jake Fromm, led the Commanders down the sector for the game-winning area objective, triggering a raucous get together.
“It was a lot enjoyable to observe and be part of,” Howell stated
