The Baltimore Ravens fell to 1-1 in the preseason after dropping their preseason home-opener to the Minnesota Vikings Saturday, 23-15.
It looked like an offensive battle in the first quarter, and it was. But only in the first quarter. The Vikings got the ball first and jumped out to a very good start. Tarvaris Jackson led the Vikings down the field and threw a 23-yard touchdown strike to wideout Martin Nance.
The Ravens responded quickly, though. After a seven-yard checkdown pass from Troy Smith to Adam Bergen, Ray Rice ran up the middle for 42 yards and ended up scoring a six-yard touchdown to tie it up.
As I said, it was only a battle in the first. In the second and third quarters, it was all Vikings. In the fourth, it was all Ravens. Let me deliver the sad wrap-up of the second.
The Vikings finished the first on the Ravens 3-yard line, but it was fourth and three. Two seconds into the second, Vikings kicker Steve Hauscka kicked a 21-yard field goal. Yes, that's great. However, there was a setback in there. A few plays earlier, Vikings starting quarterback Tarvaris Jackson injured his knee after being hit. He didn't return. Worries?
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Not for now, anyway. Gus Frerotte took over for Jackson and was just fine, thank you. Frerotte, who's been in the NFL for over 90 years, went 4-of-9 with 69 yards and a score. Despite the lack of accuracy, he led the Vikings 17 yards when Jackson went down to lead the Vikes to a field goal. He also threw a touchdown the very next drive to Robert Ferguson. The Vikes scored later, with no time left in the half, as Steve Hauschka hit a 34-yard field goal.
The third wasn't an offensive battle, and the Vikes roughed up Kyle Boller. Boller was 8-of-12 with 40 yards, but was picked once and showed why he hasn't been a regular starter for the last few years. The only points scored in the third were by Steve Hauscka (again) on a 48-yard field goal.
The Ravens did have time, but needed a score—fast. That they got. With John David Booty in for the last frame, the rookie out of USC was picked off by Derrick Martin, who went 22 yards for the score. With a tie in mind, the Ravens made a two-point conversion, so they could then score again, make a two-pointer, and possibly win in overtime. However, the plan went bad as the Ravens couldn't rally.
The Ravens did show a few positives...
- Kyle Boller sucked, further ensuring he won't be the starter.
- Ray Rice had an excellent game, rushing for 77 yards on a mere eight carries and a touchdown.
- Joe Flacco proved why he was drafted 18th overall, going 10-of-15 with 78 yards. He had a chance to get the Ravens within two with four seconds left, but overthrew a pass to the end zone.
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3 months ago
Nice article Isaac. Thanks for becoming my fan. I just returned the favor. Check out my recap. I just limited it to the QB's though.
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