The Baltimore Ravens did everything a team could reasonably provide to a first-year head coach in a preseason finale.
Baltimore kept its starters and key players out of injury danger, dominated the Washington Commanders, and gave GM Eric DeCosta and Jesse Minter an extended look at nearly every player competing near the bottom of the roster. The result was a 41-3 victory Friday night at M&T Bank Stadium and a 3-0 preseason under first-year coach Jesse Minter.
The final score barely captured the separation between the teams as Baltimore held advantages of 456-177 in total yards, 26-7 in first downs and 33:45-26:15 in possession. Washington converted one of 12 third downs and never reached the red zone.
Here are 10 instant takeaways from Baltimore's
final dress rehearsal.
1. Baltimore completed a nearly flawless preseason
Wins and losses do not carry into September, but Baltimore established the habits Minter wanted during his first preseason. The Ravens outscored the Eagles, Vikings and Commanders by a combined 78-13 and recorded the 13th perfect preseason in the franchise's 31-year history.
The Ravens did it with Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, and most of the established starters playing little or not at all. Baltimore's depth consistently appeared faster, more physical and better prepared than its opposition.
2. Joe Fagnano finished an outstanding summer
Fagnano completed 19 of 27 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown, adding a 1-yard scoring sneak. He avoided an interception and finished with a 98.1 passer rating.
The undrafted rookie completed 56 of 75 passes for 509 yards, three touchdowns and one interception across the preseason. Baltimore might prefer to carry two quarterbacks, but Fagnano made himself difficult to expose to waivers. His poise, accuracy and command should place him firmly in the 53-man roster conversation.
3. Tyler Huntley and Chris Moore wasted no time
Huntley needed one possession to complete his assignment. He went 4-for-4 for 61 yards and found Moore for a 25-yard touchdown that was confirmed after Minter won a replay challenge.
Moore caught three passes for 54 yards on the opening drive. Baltimore has a crowded receiver competition, but his veteran experience, physicality, and special-teams background give the coaches something different to consider.
4. The offensive line controlled the game
Baltimore rushed for 195 yards and averaged 6.5 yards per attempt while not allowing a sack on 39 pass attempts. The reserves consistently created movement, protected the quarterbacks and helped Baltimore convert four of five trips inside Washington's 20-yard line.
Jovaughn Gwyn started at center and played the first 15 offensive snaps before Ethan Pocic entered late in the first quarter. The rotation suggested the competition remained open, but both operated within a unit that controlled the line of scrimmage.
5. Adam Randall strengthened his RB3 argument
Randall continued showing why he entered the finale with momentum. He rushed five times for 25 yards and caught three passes for 45 yards, producing 70 yards from scrimmage on eight touches.
Rasheen Ali added 46 yards from scrimmage, while Jonathan Ward rushed for 53 yards and a touchdown. Dontae McMillan later broke a 63-yard run and finished with 70 yards on three carries. The room produced across the board, but Randall's receiving ability and efficiency gave him the most complete case behind Henry and Justice Hill.
6. LaJohntay Wester kept applying pressure
Wester caught a 10-yard touchdown from Fagnano through a tight window and added a 19-yard punt return. He finished with two receptions for 21 yards.
His speed and return ability could become valuable in a receiver room that needs clearly defined roles behind Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and Ja'Kobi Lane. Wester has stacked enough positive moments to warrant strong consideration for one of the final receiver spots.
7. The fifth edge-rusher decision became more difficult
Kaimon Rucker produced six tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack while generating multiple fourth-quarter pressures. Adisa Isaac answered with six tackles, a tackle for loss and a fourth-down sack. Ethan Burke forced the early fumble that C.J. Okoye recovered, setting up Baltimore's second touchdown.
Trey Hendrickson, Tavius Robinson, Mike Green and Zion Young appear positioned to occupy the top four spots. If Baltimore keeps a fifth outside linebacker, Rucker, Isaac and Burke each gave the front office a legitimate argument.
8. Baltimore's cornerback depth remained impressive
Robert Longerbeam recorded five tackles, Lardarius Webb Jr. forced a fumble on kickoff coverage and later broke up a pass, and Keyon Martin was active early.
Jeff Zrebiec noted that Baltimore's cornerbacks have performed well throughout the summer and that the competition extends to the practice squad. Friday reinforced that assessment. The Ravens may not be able to retain every corner they would like to develop.
9. The reserve defense never relaxed
Washington produced 177 yards, seven first downs and three points. The Commanders averaged 3.4 yards per play, failed on both fourth-down attempts and never entered the red zone.
Rucker, Isaac and David Olajiga recorded sacks, while Dominic DeLuca led Baltimore with nine tackles. The names changed throughout the night, but the standard did not.
10. Tyler Loop created a legitimate concern
Loop converted from 51 and 24 yards and made all five extra points, but he also missed field goals from 58 and 51 yards. He finished 2-for-4 in the finale and 5-for-8 during the preseason.
All four attempts Friday came from either long range or a short chip shot, and Loop responded to his first-half misses by working from the same spot during halftime. His willingness to correct the problem was encouraging. The results, however, were inconsistent enough for Baltimore to consider bringing in another kicker before Week 1.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens preseason finale: 10 takeaways from a 41-3 rout of Commanders
