The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Washington Commanders 17-15 in the preseason finale Saturday night. Washington ends the preseason with an 0-3 record, while the Ravens win their 23rd consecutive preseason game.
Rookie quarterback Sam Howell started and played the entire game for Washington. Howell completed 24 of 35 passes for 280 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 62 yards on eight attempts.
At one point, it looked like Baltimore may run away with the win. The Ravens led 17-6 in the third quarter and had the ball before Washington’s defense tightened up.
Howell led the Commanders on an impressive eight-play, 66-yard drive to make it 17-15. Washington went for two as Howell found Matt Cole in the end zone, but multiple Ravens defenders hit Cole as the ball arrived.
The Commanders’ defense forced another punt, giving Howell and the offense another chance to end Baltimore’s meaningless preseason streak. Unfortunately, after a first down, the offense came up short as Howell and the wide receiver had a miscommunication on a fourth-down pass, turning the ball back over to the Ravens.
While the Commanders didn’t come away with a preseason win, head coach Ron Rivera is happy to see it end now, as Washington looks ahead to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1.