Commanders vs. Ravens score, takeaways: Washington ends Baltimore’s record preseason win streak in thriller

The Baltimore Ravens record 24-game preseason win streak is over. It was a streak that does not mean much, but it was impressive nonetheless. The Ravens did not make it easy for the Commanders on Monday night, but in the end Washington just had a few more plays that got it done, lead by three quarterbacks combining for 297 passing yards and one interception. 

The Commanders are now 2-0 in the preseason and the Ravens are 1-1. 

Five quarterbacks combined to play on Monday night between the two teams and all five gave us something exciting to watch. Commanders’ Sam Howell was the biggest story of the game, with a performance that will have Washington fans hopeful for the season. 

One highlight of the game for the Ravens was when QB Josh Johnson marched Baltimore 75 yards in two plays and just 15 seconds to get seven. Another standout was rookie Zay Flowers’ 26-yard touchdown reception on the first drive of the game.

Just given the nature of preseason games, you do not see two-point conversion attempts often, but with a streak on the line this game had a more intense feel than your average preseason game and we saw the Commanders attempt, and fail, one in the fourth quarter, attempting to tie the game.

The final two minutes of the game was filled with drama, with the Commanders marching and Jake Fromm trying to pull off a win. With the Ravens up 28-26, Fromm and Co. got help from defensive pass interference on fourth-and-11 that kept their drive alive with just over a minute left in the game. 

Overall, this was a very entertaining game. To wrap it all up, take a look at our takeaways from Commanders-Ravens:

Sam Howell gives a solid performance

I was not so sure how Sam Howell would work out on the Washington Commanders this year, but then again, did anyone? The 22-year-old was drafted in the fifth round in 2022 and since then we have only seen him play in and start one regular season NFL game.

The Commanders currently have Howell, who was recently named the starter, Jacoby Brissett and Jake Fromm in their quarterback room. Howell made an impact right away on Monday night.

The team’s first drive ended in a field goal and he finished the first half going 19-for-25 with 188 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions. Brissett replaced Howell to start the second half.

After his solid first half performance, Howell said (via the ESPN broadcast), “I wanted everybody to trust me, I wanted this organization to trust me, I wanted my teammates to trust me.”

The Ravens were having fun: A look at their stat leaders

Lamar Jackson did not play, but the Ravens still put on an entertaining game. Quarterbacks Josh Johnson and Anthony Brown had two interceptions each and Brown used his legs as well, leading the team with four carries for 37 yards.

Charlie Kolar lead the team in receiving with two receptions for 33 yards and the touchdowns came from rookie Zay Flowers, Tylan Wallace and Travis Vokolek. The Ravens offensive line did a good job protecting both quarterbacks who saw time, with no sacks recorded. 

The streak is over

Heading into Monday night’s game, Baltimore had the longest preseason win streak in the NFL … by a LOT. They entered the game with 24 straight preseason wins, something head coach John Harbaugh credits to a lot of luck. In the most dramatic fashion in a nail-biter of a game, the streak is over. It’s Joey Slye who secured the win for the Commanders, after quarterback Jake Fromm lead the offense to field goal position. Slye easily made the 49-yard attempt.

The win was sealed with a Commanders interception from Kendall Smith. It only feels right that such a back-and-forth game would end with a pick. 

Zay Flowers impresses Lamar Jackson

Flowers was selected with the No. 22 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and has high expectations heading into the season. He showed some more promise Monday with two receptions for 37 yards, one of which was a touchdown.

Jackson did not dress, but he was still doing his research on his newest offensive weapons. Jackson said he likes what he sees from Flowers, calling him “shifty.”