Tony Lombardi
In his 2016 preseason debut Joe Flacco throws for 125+ yards in 2 series of play and puts up 10 points, 6 of which go to Mike Wallace on a 52-yard connection.
The battle in the Ravens crowded backfield gets even tighter as Kenneth Dixon leads all rushers with 40+ yards.
Kamar Aiken registers more catches and yards than the Lions’ Anquan Boldin but that said, Boldin is greeted with the loudest ovation of any player on the field.
Ryan Mallett once again leaves the door open for his exit and for Josh Johnson as the team’s No. 2 quarterback.
Will Davis gets a pick-6 for the home team.
Ravens win 29-24.
Ken McKusick
The Ravens win a laugher with all 3 units beating up on their opponents.
– Ronnie Stanley will allow his first full pass rush event of the preseason to Ziggy Ansah, but will still be effective overall.
– Kenneth Dixon makes a big play in space.
– The Ravens again keep Anthony Levine at nickel due to a lack of healthy bodies there and don’t play much if any dime.
Adam Bonaccorsi
– Flacco’s return is a short one- just one quarter of play, putting up 7- before the coaches go back to watching Mallet & Josh Johnson duke it out for clipboard holding supremacy.
– Dixon shines in the backfield, but so does Forsett, who continues to keep the backfield cluster a tight race.
– Perriman doesn’t play, causing people to get all bent out of shape as if not playing preseason week 3 means he’s out all season.
-Shareece Wright causes more eye rolls than a Kim Kardashian Instagram post.
-Special Teams allows a punt return for a touchdown. See previous eye roll statement, now add some choice four-letter words (and a Devin Hester signing to follow).
Mike Fast
– Flacco hits Mike Wallace for at least 80 yards and 1 TD in the first quarter.
– Elvis Dumervil sacks Matthew Stafford twice, causing one fumble.
– The Ravens continue their poor run defense, allowing 3.6 yards per carry, but don’t allow a rushing touchdown.
– Breshad Perriman catches the winning touchdown from Josh Johnson.
Brian Bower
Joe Flacco plays just two series and it’s enough to see he’s ready for regular season action. Flacco and Watson will hook up for their only touchdown of the preseason to close the first offensive series. Running back Terrance West adds two rushing scores running with the starters cementing his spot as the number two RB behind Justin Forsett.
On defense, Eric Weddle will record his first interception of the preseason while Za’Darius Smith and Matt Judon each have a sack.
Ravens win handily 21-13.
Kyle Casey
-Flacco’s return will be shorter than expected, playing just until early second quarter. If he leads a TD drive and takes a few hits without issue, the coaching staff will pull him and call it a day.
-Fresh off Harbaugh’s QB competition comments, Ryan Mallett outplays Josh Johnson with a 150+ yard performance with one TD and one INT, and cements his role as backup QB.
-No kickoff return goes for more than 30 yards as the Ravens continue to struggle to find a clear-cut return man.
-Matt Judon continues his hot streak with another sack and solidifies his case as a rotational contributor this season.
-Willie Henry emerges from the depths and stands out for the first time, netting a tackle for loss and flashing on enough plays to give hope he can contribute as a rookie.
Derek Arnold
Flacco looks like a guy who hasn’t seen live action in nearly a year, which of course, he is. This sets off a firestorm of angsty calls to 105.7 this week with folks panicking that he won’t be ready to start winning games come Buffalo.
On the other hand, he sails a pass over the head of Camapanaro, which Anquan Boldin catches on the Lions sideline. No one is quite sure how to react to this.
Justin Tucker comes out to attempt a 60+-yard field goal. He misses it, but that’s of very little consolation to Lions fans.
Ryan Jones
Joe Flacco hasn’t played in a game in nine months and it will show on the first drive. But after going three and out on their opening drive the offense leans heavily on the run and their second drive is capped of with a touchdown pass to Michael Campanaro.
The starting defense will look much improved from their previous two games and the Ravens notch two interceptions in the first half. Also, after Harbaugh made a point to say that stupid penalties will cost players roster spots there will be far less laundry on the field this week.
Ravens remain unbeaten in the preseason and win 27-20
Joe Polek
– Flacco looks like he should: rusty. He’ll put together one nice drive that ends in a TD before being pulled from the game. Ryan Mallett and Josh Johnson will play pretty evenly, but Mallett will do just enough to keep hold of the #2 job for now.
– Breshad Perriman doesn’t see the field, but Chris Moore continues to shine hauling in 1 TD and another long catch as he makes a case to surprisingly make the team.
– Kenneth Dixon and Terrance West continue to return kickoffs for the Ravens, with West pulling ahead against the Lions.
– Michael Campanaro continues to show more “big play” capability in the Punt Return competition with Keenan Reynolds, who seems to be losing any chance at a roster spot more and more.
– After no one (outside the starting 5) on the Offensive line steps up, Ozzie Newsome looks outside the organization and will sign (at least) one veteran OL after September 1.
