Ravens' 24-game preseason win streak ends with 29-28 loss at Washington Commanders
BALTIMORE - Washington Commanders kicked a 49-yard field goal in the final seconds to end the Ravens' historic preseason win streak.
Kicker Joey Slye split the uprights, giving Washington a 29-28 win over the Ravens Monday night in Landover, Maryland.
The Ravens' preseason winning streak ended at 24 straight games. They will finish the preseason on Saturday at Tampa Bay.
Following two days of joint practices with the Washington Commanders, the teams played against each other at FedEx Field for each of their second of three preseason contests.
The Ravens' last preseason loss was eight years, a 20-19 loss in Atlanta on Sept. 3, 2015.
The Ravens got off to a quick start, taking a 7-0 lead on a 26-yard touchdown pass to rookie Zay Flowers on their opening possession. The Commanders followed with a field goal.
Washington took a 10-7 lead when quarterback Sam Howell connected with Antonio Gibson on a 9-yard touchdown reception. The Ravens recaptured the lead, 14-10, as Tylan Wallace snagged a TD pass from quarterback Josh Johnson.
The Commanders took a 17-14 lead at halftime as Dyami Brown caught a touchdown pass with 12 seconds left in the first half.
Baltimore rallied back with two touchdown catches from Travis Vokolek, giving the Ravens a 28-20 advantage early in the fourth quarter. Washington scored on a 15-yard touchdown by Jaret Patterson, but the Commanders missed the 2-point conversion.
With two seconds remaining in the game, Slye booted the game-winning field goal.
The Ravens didn't play most of their starters, but the Commanders had some starters play, including quarterback Sam Howell.
The Ravens played quarterbacks Josh Johnson and Anthony Brown for half a piece.
Several of the Ravens starters went through pre-game drills before watching the game from the sidelines.
FedEx Field was where running back J.K. Dobbins suffered a season-ending knee injury in an exhibition game nearly two years to the day, one of many reasons why the Ravens don't use starters in these games.
Veteran wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. got his exercise in before the game.
Fellow wideout Rashod Bateman is also making an injury comeback. Bateman's return and Beckham's addition are part of a rebuilt Ravens' receiver group.
The receiver position is one of the most well-stocked on the team but there are a number of young players who are still fighting to earn roster spots, and to them, the preseason games are a possible proving ground.
For most, it's a long shot, but they have an ally in Beckham who offers his support for those fighting to make it.
"Each and every rep you take, this is your opportunity to make the team," Beckham said. "So, these young guys have come in, embraced the challenge, worked hard, tried their best to perfect their craft, and they're out there making plays. So, I love to see it. I'm always here [with] any advice [they] need or anything of that matter. I'm just happy for those guys. I'm happy when they score or catch a pass. So, it's all love in our room, for sure."
The Ravens' regular-season begins at M&T Bank Stadium on Sept. 10 against the Houston Texans.
