The Baltimore Ravens play the Arizona Cardinals in their second preseason game tonight at 8. The first thing we know about this game is that it will be similar to last week, in that the big name starters, including Lamar Jackson, will not be playing.
The first thing I’ll be looking for is what stays consistent with what we saw against the Tennessee Titans. Can Tyler Huntley continue to be incredibly efficient, especially with the short passing game? Huntley was 16/18 passing against the Titans, for 109 yards and a touchdown. He is thought of as a high-value backup quarterback. The ability to run the offense smoothly is the primary outcome Baltimore expects from him. Another strong showing in the preseason will do wonders for my confidence in Huntley, especially considering he’s had an up and down training camp.
Will Shemar Bridges continue to shine? Bridges had four receptions for 62 yards and a touchdown last week. He highlighted his ability to make the contested catch. Bridges is competing for a roster spot. Another big preseason game could give him the necessary momentum. Makai Polk quietly had a strong start to preseason play. He continues to be an interesting dark horse at the wide receiver position. Now that Demarcus Robinson is a Raven, the competition at the position is turned up a bit. Due to the timing of the signing, I’d be surprised if Robinson played against the Cardinals, but he’s a name in the mix now.
Defensively, can Steven Means keep it going? He has made a very strong case to be on the 53-man roster. Means is one of the harder workers at practice, and was able to convert that work into a sack in the preseason game against the Titans. The Ravens’ need for a pass rusher is a top concern. If Means gets another sack or just continues to get pressure off the edge, he’s got a good chance of making this team, at least for the initial 53-man roster.
All eyes are going to be on Kyle Hamilton, who recovered a fumble in the first preseason game. He showed some positives and some negatives, in a fairly large amount of playing time for the first-round pick in a preseason game. The amount of snaps Hamilton receives in the second outing will be telling. The Ravens want to get him some more experience, yet if his night is finished early it could be an indicator of a high level of confidence in the safety.
Now let’s get into three predictions for the game:
Josh Oliver scores a red zone touchdown and gets the most work at tight end
The Ravens won’t play Mark Andrews in this game. Nick Boyle has nothing to prove. You’ll probably get another exciting glimpse of Isaiah Likely. That being said, Likely has exceeded expectations all throughout camp. The Ravens know what he can do and he’s probably becoming a bigger part of the plan in the regular season. The tight end that is scratching and clawing his way for a chance on the roster is Josh Oliver, and he could get the most work among tight ends.
Because Oliver is in a crowded position, he may be trade bait. The best case scenario for the Ravens is Oliver having four catches and a touchdown. They may not have room for him but they do have room for a fifth or sixth-round pick in the next NFL Draft. Oliver has been impressive. He’d make the team in just about any other NFL city. I could see a big night for the 6-5 target. Put him down for a red zone touchdown as one of his four receptions.
Geno Stone has another interception
The Ravens have a lot of talent at defensive back. There will be talented athletes in the secondary that don’t make the roster. One player competing for a spot who has momentum is Geno Stone. Albeit in the second half of a preseason game, Stone had an interception against the Titans. He’s an aggressive safety who has ball skills. Lost in the fact that he’s fighting for a roster spot is the idea that Stone may be figuring everything out. I expect him to show that against the Cardinals.
Binjimen Victor has a deep touchdown reception:
One thing I noticed at practices is that the receivers behind the top four all have their moments. Nobody has been so consistent that the fifth receiver for the depth chart is obvious. Last week Bridges made the biggest impression. This week I think it will be Binjimen Victor. Victor toasted a Tennessee corner last week and he could have had a huge play if the pass wasn’t uncatchable. Let’s put Victor down for a touchdown where he gets open and gets the chance to do something with the football. Let’s say the pattern continues and the receivers continue taking turns showing what they bring to the table.
Now let’s see what actually happens against the Cardinals in preseason game number two!
