The Baltimore Ravens delivered an absolute clinic to new head coach Jesse Minter in their preseason finale, routing the Washington Commanders 41-3 on Friday night at M&T Bank Stadium. This wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. The Ravens managed to keep their key starters healthy, including Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry who played little or not at all, while dominating Washington and giving their GM Eric DeCosta a deep dive into nearly every player fighting for a roster spot. That 41-3 final score hardly tells the whole story of how far apart these teams were, with Baltimore racking up 456 total yards to Washington’s 177 and absolutely crushing them in first downs, 26-7. Washington converted a single third down out of twelve attempts and never even sniffed the red zone. This team finished the preseason 3-0, and it feels different.
Unstoppable Depth and a Perfect Preseason Run
Look, preseason wins and losses don’t carry over, but the habits? Those absolutely do. Minter’s squad established exactly what he wanted, outscoring the Eagles, Vikings, and Commanders by a combined 78-13. That’s not a fluke, folks. This is the 13th perfect preseason in the franchise’s 31-year history, and they did it with their big names chilling on the sidelines. Baltimore’s depth looked consistently faster, more physical, and flat-out better prepared than anyone they faced. That’s what you want to see emerging early, especially when you’re looking at who’s going to step up when injuries inevitably hit or starters need a breather. The foundation for what this team could be is rock solid.
Rookies Shining, Vets Grinding: Roster Battles Are Real
One of the biggest takeaways has to be the play of undrafted rookie quarterback Joe Fagnano. The kid completed 19 of 27 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown against Washington, even adding a 1-yard scoring sneak. He wrapped up the preseason with a ridiculous 56 of 75 passes for 509 yards, three touchdowns, and only one interception. His poise, accuracy, and command are making him incredibly tough to expose to waivers; he is firmly in the 53-man roster conversation. And it wasn’t just him. Tyler Huntley needed only one drive to get his job done, going 4-for-4 for 61 yards and finding Chris Moore for a 25-yard touchdown. Moore snagged three catches for 54 yards on that opening drive. His veteran experience, physicality, and special teams background make him a serious contender in a crowded receiver room. The offensive line was also a force, rushing for 195 yards and allowing zero sacks on 39 pass attempts, showcasing incredible protection and movement. Jovaughn Gwyn starting at center and Ethan Pocic coming in suggest that competition is still wide open, which is great for the team’s health and performance. Adam Randall also kept strengthening his case for the RB3 spot, continuing to show the momentum he built heading into the finale.
This team is going into the regular season with serious momentum, a deep roster, and a new coach who seems to have everyone bought in. What’s next for Baltimore is their actual season opener. These early trends and standout performances from new faces are exactly what a team needs to look forward to a strong start and maybe, just maybe, a special year.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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