My Thoughts on the Ravens Preseason Week 3 Game Against the Jacksonville Jaguars

This past game on Thursday night was probably my favorite preseason game thus far, for any team. This is obviously because the Ravens starters played most the game and in result  they played their best game by far.

Let me start by saying Justin Tucker is going to be a great kicker in this league. Bye, Billy Cundiff. Tucker was 2/2 from field goals including a 53 yarder and he was also 6/6 on extra points. Also, all 3 quarterbacks looked good but I still give the edge to Curtis Painter as the number 2 even though Tyrod Taylor had a good game. The Ravens should feel comfortable with their quarterback situation.

Now we will go into the running backs which is my favorite competition on this Ravens team but I think it is all over. To me, even though he hasn’t played much, Bernard Pierce will be the number 2 back. He had 10 rushes for 35 yards (long of 20). That isn’t too impressive but he will get better the more carries he gets. He also had 2 catches for 19 yards. I think Chris Rainey locked up the number 3 spot just because his return skills and his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. He had 2 rushes for 7 yards and 3 catches for 73 yards (1 touchdown). He did however have a poor punt return for negative 4 yards. I also believe Anthony Allen will be released before the season starts. Damien Berry won’t make the team but he deserves recognition for having 7 rushes for 40 yards.

The receiving battle is still interesting. Number 1 receiver Torrey Smith had a great game. Anquan Boldin also had a good game and a touchdown. After that there a bunch of guys fighting to make the team but the two most impressive guys after them are Jacoby Jones and Deonte Thompson because they can get it done in the return game too. Jones had 2 catches for 22 yards, 1 kick return for 51 yards, and 3 punt returns for 36 yards. Thompson had a catch for 18 yards and a 63 yard kick return. The Ravens return game is going to be fun to watch this season.

Other notable receivers are Laquan Williams who had 2 catches for 43 yards (1 touchdown), Tommy Streeter who had 2 catches for 40 yards (1 touchdown), Tandon Doss who had 3 catches for 11 yards, and Logan Payne who had 2 catches for 23 yards. Tight end Billy Bajema had 3 catches for 26 yards.

Now for the defense, where I will start with safety Bernard Pollard who had 3 tackles and 2 pass deflections. Others guys who had good games were all the linebackers. Ray Lewis obviously, but Jameel McClain looked great (5 tackles, 1 for a loss), Albert McClellan is always improving and Paul Kruger looked good as well. Rookie first round pick Courtney Upshaw also had a sack, and rookie secondary players Asa Jackson and Omar Brown continued to look good as well.

The Ravens conclude their preseason on Thursday in St Louis against the Rams at 7.