Risers and fallers: Ravens maintain off Cardinals, 24-17, for twenty second straight preseason win

The Ravens flew out to Arizona forward of their preseason recreation Sunday evening a couple of days early, hoping to profit from their time collectively as a workforce. They practiced within the warmth. They watched their rookies sing at a workforce dinner. They frolicked at their lodge pool.

And then, in extending their preseason successful streak to an NFL-record 22 video games, they gutted out a victory in prime time. Their 24-17 win over the Cardinals at State Farm Stadium was as a lot a testomony to the first-half excellence of tight finish Isaiah Likely and quarterback Tyler Huntley because it was to their clutch play late in all three phases.

Before rookie working again Tyler Badie ran out the clock to increase the longest preseason successful streak by any NFL workforce confirmed by the Elias Sports Bureau since 1995, the Ravens received a booming 56-yard punt from rookie Jordan Stout to pin Arizona deep. Then they received a few sacks from their defensive position and a fourth-down cross breakup from security Ar’Darius Washington to finish Arizona’s hopes of a comeback from a 24-3 deficit.

Here’s a take a look at the risers and fallers from Sunday’s recreation.

Risers

TE Isaiah Likely

Mark Andrews didn’t have a preseason like this. Not many tight ends ever have a preseason like this. The fourth-round choose continued his breakout August with a efficiency so dominant it appeared inconceivable that Likely was bullying Sun Belt Conference defenders simply over a 12 months in the past. Likely completed the primary half with eight catches on eight targets for 100 yards and a landing. The Coastal Carolina product appeared to get open as simply as he slipped tackles; 53 of his yards got here after the catch. Over two video games, Likely has caught every thing thrown his means — actually. He has 12 catches on 12 targets for 144 yards and a landing, good for a 144.4 passer score when focused.

QB Tyler Huntley

Another environment friendly efficiency from Lamar Jackson’s backup, whose star rose (as a lot as any second-stringer’s can) in prime time. Despite enjoying with the Ravens’ second-string receiving corps, Huntley completed 13-for-14 for 129 yards and a landing (128.9 passer score). He improvised when he needed to, evading stress and increasing drives. He additionally fed the new hand, connecting with Likely eight instances; no different Ravens receiver was focused even twice within the first half. Over two preseason video games, Huntley is 29-for-32 for 238 yards and two touchdowns (118.4 score).

DT Travis Jones

The third-round choose continues to flash, even when he runs afoul of the rulebook. On the primary drop-back of Arizona’s third drive, the Connecticut product had such a clear pass-rush win that his straight-ahead surge for quarterback Trace McSorley delivered a glancing helmet-to-helmet blow within the Cardinals’ finish zone. On the third drop-back, he appeared to get one other stress and power an incompletion. On the fourth and ultimate drop-back, one other stress, one other incompletion. Jones opened his preseason together with his first sack, and if his injured knee is wholesome, he has sufficient expertise to finish his rookie 12 months with a pair extra.

P Jordan Stout

Sometimes you’re good, and generally you’re fortunate. On the fourth-round choose’s first punt Sunday, he was good, booming a 50-yard punt that rolled inside the ten, then the 5, till cornerback Kevon Seymour downed it on the 3. On his second punt, he was good, and likewise a bit fortunate. After hitting a 46-yard punt, the Penn State product watched Cardinals returner Greg Dortch sign for a good catch on the 3-yard line. On his ultimate punt, he boomed a 58-yard punt out of bounds. Stout, who added a profitable extra-point try, had an “outstanding” preseason debut in opposition to the Tennessee Titans, particular groups coordinator Chris Horton mentioned. His follow-up would possibly’ve been even higher.

CB Damarion “Pepe” Williams

About the one factor that didn’t go proper for the fourth-round choose was Kevin Burkhardt’s pronunciation of his nickname. “Peppy,” because the Fox play-by-play man appeared to name him, continued his energetic preseason with one other high-volume recreation. The Houston product had a pleasant third-down deal with within the first quarter to power a fourth-down cross that Kyle Fuller intercepted. In the third quarter, he jumped a McSorley cross for an interception that he returned 29 yards. Williams additionally had a 12-yard punt return, persevering with to construct on his candidacy if Pro Bowl returner Devin Duvernay’s ever extra wanted on offense.

Fallers

G Tyre Phillips

Early in coaching camp, offensive coordinator Greg Roman was requested how he evaluates his offensive line play. “First of all, it’s communication,” he mentioned. “The offensive line is five people acting as one, and being able to communicate, adjust, make the proper adjustments. One wrong adjustment can blow up a play.” Synchronicity was an issue for Phillips. Lined up at guard, he had two penalties in a one-minute span within the second quarter: one for a false begin and one for being illegally downfield on a run-pass-option throw. Lined up at deal with, he had one other false begin within the third quarter. That’s not one of the best ways to wrestle the beginning job away from Ben Powers.

DB Brandon Stephens

Stephens missed time in coaching camp with a soft-tissue harm, and maybe he’s nonetheless working his means again to full energy. Working primarily in opposition to Cardinals reserve huge receiver Andy Isabella, the second-year defensive again wasn’t at his greatest. On the sport’s first play from scrimmage, he was flagged for pointless roughness on Dortch after giving a late push out of bounds. A couple of performs later, he allowed a first-down completion to Isabella on third-and-long. In the third quarter, the speedy Isabella received a step on Stephens on a vertical route, resulting in a 37-yard pass-interference penalty. On particular groups, he was pancaked on Jonathan Ward’s 48-yard kick return.

Preseason, Week 3

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