The Baltimore Ravens rested most of their biggest names Friday night, but their reserves gave Washington plenty to handle.
Baltimore took a 24-0 lead into halftime against the Commanders at M&T Bank Stadium, getting touchdown passes from Tyler Huntley and Joe Fagnano while its defense allowed just one first down. With roster decisions approaching, several players used the preseason finale to strengthen their cases. The evening began with a moment of silence honoring the life and legacy of O.J. Brigance. Once play started, Baltimore quickly took control.
Here are eight takeaways from the first half.
Baltimore's depth controls the game.
The Ravens had 33 players out of uniform, including Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, Zay Flowers and much of their starting defense. The players who dressed
made the most of the opportunity.
Baltimore outgained Washington 274-60, held a 17-1 advantage in first downs and possessed the ball for 22 minutes. The Commanders went 0-for-5 on third down and managed just 15 rushing yards. Even with the preseason competition in perspective, that was an impressive half for Baltimore's reserves.
Chris Moore and Tyler Huntley make the opening drive count
Moore needed little time to make an impression, catching three passes for 54 yards on Baltimore's opening possession. His 25-yard touchdown reception stood after coach Jesse Minter successfully challenged the initial ruling, giving the Ravens a 7-0 lead with 10:16 remaining in the first quarter.
Huntley completed all four of his passes for 61 yards and a touchdown, finishing his work with a perfect 158.3 passer rating. Moore supplied the biggest plays, but the entire sequence was an encouraging start for the offense.
Joe Fagnano gives Baltimore another productive showing
Fagnano followed Huntley's efficient start by completing 17 of 24 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown without an interception. He also scored on a 1-yard sneak after an early Washington turnover.
His best scoring throw came with 3:46 remaining in the second quarter, when he found LaJohntay Wester through a tight window for a 10-yard touchdown. Wester finished the half with two catches for 21 yards, adding another positive moment to his summer. Fagnano's ability to sustain drives gave Baltimore more reason to consider keeping three quarterbacks.
Adam Randall shows his value as a receiving option
Randall's most notable contribution came beyond the running game. He caught three passes for 45 yards, including a 24-yard gain, while adding 25 rushing yards on five carries. His 70 yards from scrimmage gave Baltimore production in both phases.
Rasheen Ali remained involved, rushing nine times for 28 yards and catching three passes for 18 yards. Ali supplied a 12-yard run, but Randall's 5.0 yards per carry and receiving production gave him the more efficient half as the two continued making their cases behind Henry and Justice Hill.
Ethan Burke keeps finding the football.
Burke forced an early fumble that C.J. Okoye recovered, setting up Fagnano's 1-yard touchdown sneak. Baltimore led 14-0 with 5:56 remaining in the first quarter after Washington had run just one offensive play.
In an early-game update, Jonas Shaffer credited Burke with two forced fumbles, two pressures, a pass breakup and a sack over five quarters. With Trey Hendrickson, Zion Young, Mike Green and Tavius Robinson sitting out, Burke continued giving Baltimore reasons to examine its options at outside linebacker.
The center competition remains worth watching.
Jovaughn Gwyn started at center and played 15 snaps across the first two possessions before Ethan Pocic replaced him late in the first quarter. That rotation gave Baltimore another opportunity to evaluate both players, but the starting assignment alone did not settle the competition.
Elsewhere inside, Corey Bullock had a difficult stretch that included an ineffective block on a screen and an unnecessary roughness penalty. Those are costly mistakes for a reserve lineman trying to earn trust before roster decisions.
Young defensive backs contribute on defense and special teams
Keyon Martin had an active first quarter and entered halftime with a tackle and a pass breakup. Robert Longerbeam added two tackles and made a good play against a screen, contributing to Washington's inability to sustain possessions.
Lardarius Webb Jr. also forced a fumble on a kickoff return, although Washington recovered. With several established defensive backs sitting out, those contributions gave Baltimore more to evaluate as it sorts through its depth and special teams options.
Tyler Loop's misses leave a concern beneath the big lead
Loop made a 51-yard field goal with 10:36 remaining in the second quarter, but missed from 58 yards and later pulled another 51-yard attempt wide left from the right hash. He finished the half 1-for-3 on field goals and 3-for-3 on extra points.
All three field-goal attempts came from beyond 50 yards, which provides context. Still, Loop's preseason total stood at 4-for-7 after the second miss. Baltimore controlled nearly everything else during the half, but the kicking game remained an area that needed more consistency.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens vs. Commanders: 8 takeaways from Baltimore's dominant first half
