OWINGS MILLS, Md. — It was Aug. 11, 2016, and the Baltimore Ravens captured their first of 19 straight preseason wins with a 22-19 victory over the Carolina Panthers. And probably the most memorable second had nothing to do with soccer.
Late within the fourth quarter, the Ravens gamers and followers celebrated after watching hometown hero Michael Phelps win his twenty second Olympic gold medal on the M&T Financial institution Stadium video board. Panthers quarterback Cam Newton raised each arms within the air, and Ravens security Eric Weddle talked about how he would share this story along with his kids 20 years later.
“I bear in mind [Phelps] profitable, and that’s possibly the loudest applause of the night time,” Ravens kicker Justin Tucker mentioned this week.
Like Phelps, the Ravens have dominated the summer time video games, profitable each time within the preseason during the last six years. In response to the Elias Sports activities Bureau, the Ravens’ preseason streak is the longest in no less than 26 years, however Elias’ preseason information do not transcend 1995.
Lengthy-time NFL reporter Rick Gosselin reported the Packers gained 19 consecutive exhibition video games 59 years in the past. With a victory at Washington on Saturday, Baltimore can surpass Vince Lombardi’s groups for the unofficial mark of probably the most consecutive wins within the preseason.
The Ravens have heard others chide them for embracing a streak that isn’t acknowledged by the NFL report books and has occurred throughout part of the league calendar the place video games technically don’t depend. However, for gamers and staff officers, this August dynasty represents a tradition of profitable, a monitor report for locating expertise and a system for growing gamers.
How significant is that this to the Ravens? Requested concerning the streak, quarterback Lamar Jackson crossed fingers on each arms and informed the reporter to not jinx it.
Do not jinx us please ?? @Lj_era8 pic.twitter.com/nPfQWtrmV7
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 24, 2021
“We wish to win,” mentioned Jackson, who was a freshman at Louisville the final time Baltimore misplaced a preseason recreation. “We don’t care what it’s; we wish to win. This can be a very aggressive staff.”
It’s well-documented that Baltimore has the league’s greatest report (30-7) since Jackson took over because the beginning quarterback halfway by way of the 2018 season. What many don’t know is the Ravens attempt to one-up one another on the apply area.
There’s a scoreboard that retains monitor of whether or not the offense or protection wins the apply. Jackson and linebacker-safety Anthony Levine Jr. are at all times going at it with trash speak.
“Successful is profitable,” mentioned Levine, the third-longest tenured participant on the Ravens. “If the rating is being stored, we wish to win. That’s the Raven manner. That’s how we educate it.”
The Ravens have dominated groups throughout this torrid preseason stretch, profitable by a median margin of 11.7 factors. However Baltimore isn’t attempting to win in any respect prices.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh historically doesn’t play his starters a lot within the preseason, particularly the quarterbacks. Through the streak, Jackson and Joe Flacco have solely thrown 20% of the Ravens’ passes. Ryan Mallett, Josh Woodrum, Robert Griffin III and Trace McSorley have delivered probably the most landing strikes.
The true stars of the preseason have been the third-day draft prospects (and undrafted ones) who later turned coveted gamers. In 2016, outdoors linebacker Matthew Judon led Baltimore in tackles and sacks as a rookie, outdoors linebacker Za’Darius Smith recorded a sack and Darren Waller produced 84 yards receiving as a large receiver. Within the finale that 12 months, nostril sort out Michael Pierce gained one of many closing spots on the roster with a strip-sack that he recovered for a landing.
These 4 gamers — Judon, Smith, Waller and Pierce — have since totaled 5 Professional Bowls and obtained $80.6 million in assured cash on their second contracts.
“It’s one thing we’re pleased with,” Tucker mentioned. “It’s not Joe Flacco, Steve Smith and Terrell Suggs and all the opposite big-name starters which can be part of that. It’s all people who has been on that 90-man roster for the Baltimore Ravens since 2016. That’s lots of people who go into these wins.”
In 2017, Woodrum hit Tim White for a 33-yard landing in opposition to Washington. Woodrum performed for the Alliance of American Soccer’s Salt Lake Stallions a 12 months later earlier than becoming a member of Washington, the place he tore a pectoral muscle and by no means suited up once more.
In 2018, operating again De’Lance Turner broke free for a 65-yard landing in Miami. Turner went on to have 10 profession dashing yards in 12 video games for the Ravens and Dolphins.
This 12 months, Huntley capped a fourth-quarter comeback with a 7-yard landing run in opposition to the New Orleans Saints with 6:35 remaining.
The Ravens’ most dramatic play of the preseason got here in 2016 after the Indianapolis Colts jumped forward 18-17 with 3:54 left within the recreation. Then, Levine intercepted the two-point conversion and returned it 95 yards for the profitable rating.
As quickly as Levine reached the Lucas Oil Stadium finish zone, he twice held up two fingers after which his total hand to the gang. It signified “25,” the jersey variety of cornerback Tray Walker, who died 5 months earlier of accidents sustained in a motorcycle accident.
Don’t inform Levine that recollections like these within the preseason are meaningless.
“Making that play and honoring him, I’ll say that’s most likely considered one of my high performs of all time,” Levine mentioned.
The following longest present profitable streak within the preseason belongs to the Buffalo Bills, who’ve gained seven in a row. To be able to surpass the Ravens’ present mark, Buffalo must win each preseason recreation by way of 2025.
However Harbaugh isn’t frightened about preseason information. The precedence right now of the season is to guage gamers.
“It’s not even a dialog,” Harbaugh mentioned. “We’ve by no means approached any of those video games any in a different way than we ever have.
“What’s one of the simplest ways to say it? It means one thing to the those that through the years have been part of it. There are different features of it which can be useful, however we’ll method it the identical manner we at all times do and let the chips fly.”