The Baltimore Ravens got their first victory of the pre-season as they bested the Kansas City Chiefs 31-13 Friday night at M & T Bank Stadium.
The Ravens offense, which had difficulty scoring against the Eagles eight days ago looked much more potent as they scored four touchdowns and generated 352 yards of Total Offense. Backup Quarterback Tyrod Taylor engineered two Fourth Quarter scoring drives including an exciting 5-yd Touchdown scamper of his own after shaking Justin Houston out of his shoes and hitting paydirt.
Things started slowly as both teams traded Field Goals to keep the game tied 3-3 after the First Quarter. Return man Lardarius Webb muffed a punt that was recovered by the Cheifs Jackie Battle at the Baltimore 15-yd line which led to the a Ryan Succop 31 yarder. Joe Flacco converted two Third downs on the next drive and Billy Cundiff blasted a 49-yd Field goal to match Kansas City.
Flacco did not look particularly sharp tonight and finished 12 of 24 for 124 yards as he played into the first series of the Third Quarter. He overthrew several passes and didn’t look comfortable most of the night.
Ray Rice and Ravens running game did look impressive as Rice darted 26 yards to the right to give Baltimore their first Touchdown of the Pre-season and a 10-3 lead. Rice’s TD capped an 81-yard drive which included a 43-yd pass from Flacco to newly acquired wideout Lee Evans.
Kansas City was able to respond though and scored with 12 seconds left in the half. Backup Tyler Palko hit a 3-yd pass to Terrence Copper to knot the score up at 10-10.
The Baltimore defense had a solid effort most of the night. They were playing without Ray Lewis who was excused for family reasons. The Ravens finished with 5 sacks and an interception while limiting the Chiefs to only three points in the Second half.
POINTS TO PONDER
- It’s amazing what a little speed does to the passing game. Lee Evans and David Reed had identical numbers tonight (3 Catches, 68 yards, 22.7 Avg.) as each caught a pass over 40 yards. It’s interesting to note that Evans looked more in sync with Joe Flacco than Anquan Boldin.
- Speaking of Flacco he certainly has had better nights. He wasn’t sacked but he was pressured plenty and did handle the rush well and either found a safety valve or tossed it away. As the game progressed he tossed two into the turf and overthrew several receivers. Don’t be surprised if this offense sputters out of the gate. You have new additions on offense and a line that is still far from settled. Plenty of work ahead but Baltimore has some weapons to develop into a better than advertised unit.
- I’m searching for a Vonta Leach jersey right now online. Few players lay the wood to a defender off a swing pass like Leach did tonight. On the next play he had a terrific seal block to spring Ray Rice for the touchdown. Mark it now Rice will have a big year in 2011. He hit the openings quickly and then made his move in the second level.
- The Offensive Line was better but they still need another lineman, preferably a vet. Bryan Mattison played decently at Center , Jah Reid looked more comfortable at Tackle and Oneil Cousins looked better at Guard. Not too bad considering Marshal Yanda was out with back spasms either.
- Tyrod Taylor showed some glimpses of a good arm and even better footwork. His shake and bake of Justin Houston en route to a touchdown was a thing of beauty. That being said I’d feel better about a vet backup to Joe Flacco for this season.
- Kickoffs were still the best time to grab a beverage, same as last week. I know its pre-season but I don’t understand why most of the returners tried to make something out of nothing. On kick returns the closest they got was around the Ten or Fifteen-yard line. Lardarius Webb was guilty as well on the punt returner. He should have called Fair catch and not gifted the Chiefs field position inside the Twenty.
- Jimmy Smith got picked on early and didn’t do that badly trying to cover Dwyane Bowe. His narrowly missed a pick on his first target of the night. If he doesn’t start right away then he will at some point in 2011. He showed a physicality on press coverage that the corners have lacked since Chris McAlister left. Cary Williams put in another solid effort. He made a strong case for more playing time while Chris Carr was out with an injury tonight.
- Pernell McPhee was strong again this evening. If he continues he will have to find his way on the field. For the second game straight he had sack that was overturned that led to a fumble. He’s a playmaker. Paul Kruger was quiet most of the night but did bat down a third down pass with a good play.
- It’s so much fun to see the Defense playing aggressively again. Pagano has that old vibe working with multiple blitzes from anywhere a la Big Rexy.
- If you watched at home like me and saw the broadcast team of Gerry Sandusky, Stan White, and Qadry Ismail go to work tonight then you know that Kicker Billy Cundiff has a new nickname. Q called him “Weapon X” at least a few times during the broadcast. Ismail was always unique.
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