After winning the coin toss and electing to receive at home, the Baltimore Ravens marched down the field on the first possession of the game.
They made it look too easy and tore apart the defense on this nine play, 75-yard touchdown drive. During the 4:47 minute drive, their offensive line was getting a big push and there were gaping holes for Kenneth Dixon (making his rookie debut), Javorius Allen and Terrance West, their three headed running back committee. Flacco was 4/4, and capped off the drive with a seven-yard touchdown strike to tight end, Crockett Gillmore.
Terrance West's 35-Yard Run leading to Joe Flacco's TD Pass:
Something changed after this first drive of the game. The defense buckled down and did not give up a touchdown the rest of the game. They only surrendered three points the rest of the game, holding the in – state rival to just ten points. The Skins defense gave up only ten or less points once last season and this was the third time in the past four seasons.
The Redskins moved to 3-2 on Sunday after beating the Baltimore Ravens on the road with a score of 16-10. It was not a pretty win but they grinded it out and came up with a huge stop at the end of the game to put them in the victory formation. They didn’t allow a single point all second half and have only given up three field goals in the second halves during their three game win streak.
The Redskins did not force any turnovers in the second half of this week five win, but they did lock down on third downs. The Ravens only converted on three of 15 third downs all game.
Special Teams
Throughout the game I doubt I was the only one thinking to myself that the Skins were going to find a way to lose. In the past either the special teams or the defense has let them down. The brilliant special teams play was pivotal in the win. Both Niles Paul and Will Blackmon made spectacular blocks to open up a lane allowing Jamison Crowder to take it all the way to the house on an 85-yard punt return. This was a game changing play and put the Skins on the score board.
Crowded has been great all season and had a nifty move against the Giants to juke Dwyane Harris out of his shoes earlier in the season. Check it out here if you missed it.
Crowder leads the NFL with an average of 27.7 yards per punt return. Earlier in the game, Will Blackmon had a 45-yard kickoff return to set the offensive up with great field position. In the past few years the Redskins have just been getting by with their special teams and they have not made any highlight plays. When the offensive is struggling like it did against the Ravens defense, it is crucial that they get a strong effort from the special team’s unit.
Looking ahead
Another home game for the Skins. Their fourth in their first six games. They are 2-0 on the road so maybe they would prefer traveling to Philadelphia instead of playing at Fed Ex. The 3-1 Philadelphia Eagles are coming off a heart breaking loss. After taking the 23-21 lead in the fourth quarter, they made consecutive turnovers to hand the game to the Detroit Lions. They will also be looking for revenge versus Washington after losses both games of the season series in 2015. If Dak Prescott and the Cowboys falter at Lambeau Field against the Packers, the winner of this matchup will be atop the NFC East after week six.
