Commanders vs. Ravens score, takeaways: Washington ends Baltimore's record preseason win streak in thriller

Commanders quarterback Sam Howell looked impressive in the Week 2 preseason game

The Baltimore Ravens record 24-game preseason win streak is over. It was a streak that does not mean much, but it was impressive nonetheless. The Ravens did not make it easy for the Commanders on Monday night, but in the end Washington just had a few more plays that got it done, lead by three quarterbacks combining for 297 passing yards and one interception. 

The Commanders are now 2-0 in the preseason and the Ravens are 1-1. 

Five quarterbacks combined to play on Monday night between the two teams and all five gave us something exciting to watch. Commanders' Sam Howell was the biggest story of the game, with a performance that will have Washington fans hopeful for the season. 

One highlight of the game for the Ravens was when QB Josh Johnson marched Baltimore 75 yards in two plays and just 15 seconds to get seven. Another standout was rookie Zay Flowers' 26-yard touchdown reception on the first drive of the game.

Just given the nature of preseason games, you do not see two-point conversion attempts often, but with a streak on the line this game had a more intense feel than your average preseason game and we saw the Commanders attempt, and fail, one in the fourth quarter, attempting to tie the game.

The final two minutes of the game was filled with drama, with the Commanders marching and Jake Fromm trying to pull off a win. With the Ravens up 28-26, Fromm and Co. got help from defensive pass interference on fourth-and-11 that kept their drive alive with just over a minute left in the game. 

Overall, this was a very entertaining game. To wrap it all up, take a look at our takeaways from Commanders-Ravens:

Sam Howell gives a solid performance

I was not so sure how Sam Howell would work out on the Washington Commanders this year, but then again, did anyone? The 22-year-old was drafted in the fifth round in 2022 and since then we have only seen him play in and start one regular season NFL game.

The Commanders currently have Howell, who was recently named the starter, Jacoby Brissett and Jake Fromm in their quarterback room. Howell made an impact right away on Monday night.

The team's first drive ended in a field goal and he finished the first half going 19-for-25 with 188 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions. Brissett replaced Howell to start the second half.

After his solid first half performance, Howell said (via the ESPN broadcast), "I wanted everybody to trust me, I wanted this organization to trust me, I wanted my teammates to trust me."

The Ravens were having fun: A look at their stat leaders

Lamar Jackson did not play, but the Ravens still put on an entertaining game. Quarterbacks Josh Johnson and Anthony Brown had two interceptions each and Brown used his legs as well, leading the team with four carries for 37 yards.

Charlie Kolar lead the team in receiving with two receptions for 33 yards and the touchdowns came from rookie Zay Flowers, Tylan Wallace and Travis Vokolek. The Ravens offensive line did a good job protecting both quarterbacks who saw time, with no sacks recorded. 

The streak is over

Heading into Monday night's game, Baltimore had the longest preseason win streak in the NFL … by a LOT. They entered the game with 24 straight preseason wins, something head coach John Harbaugh credits to a lot of luck. In the most dramatic fashion in a nail-biter of a game, the streak is over. It's Joey Slye who secured the win for the Commanders, after quarterback Jake Fromm lead the offense to field goal position. Slye easily made the 49-yard attempt.

The win was sealed with a Commanders interception from Kendall Smith. It only feels right that such a back-and-forth game would end with a pick. 

Zay Flowers impresses Lamar Jackson

Flowers was selected with the No. 22 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and has high expectations heading into the season. He showed some more promise Monday with two receptions for 37 yards, one of which was a touchdown.

Jackson did not dress, but he was still doing his research on his newest offensive weapons. Jackson said he likes what he sees from Flowers, calling him "shifty."

[Aug 21, 2023 at 11:16 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

COMMANDERS FG IS GOOD: With 14 seconds left in the game, Washington kicker Joey Slye lined up for a 49-yard field goal that will likely win the game. Slye drilled the kick and his teammates went wild. You would never know it was a preseason game based on the crowd and reaction from the Commanders. Washington takes the lead: 29-28 Commanders

[Aug 21, 2023 at 10:50 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

TOUCHDOWN WASHINGTON: Jake Fromm connects with Jaret Patterson for 15 yards and the touchdown. The Commanders went for two to tie things up, but they were denied and the Ravens keep the lead. 28-26 Ravens

[Aug 21, 2023 at 10:45 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

Jake Fromm is in at quarterback for the Commanders.

[Aug 21, 2023 at 10:31 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

TOUCHDOWN RAVENS: Anthony Brown finds Travis Vokolek on third-and-goal for the tight end's second touchdown of the half. The Ravens first lined up for a two-point conversion, but after a penalty they decided to bring reliable kicker Justin Tucker out instead. Tucker nailed the extra point. 28-20 Ravens

[Aug 21, 2023 at 10:21 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

END OF 3Q - Ravens 21, Commanders 20

[Aug 21, 2023 at 10:21 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

Both teams were excelling at ball security up to this point with no fumbles between them. The fumble from Washington's Chris Rodriguez marked the first fumble of the game. The ball was recovered by Baltimore's DeAndre Houston-Carson.

[Aug 21, 2023 at 10:13 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

Quarterbacks are looking good today across the board. Commanders' Sam Howell impressed, going 19-for-25 with 188 yards and two touchdowns and Ravens' Josh Johnson went 10-for-12 with 145 yards, two touchdowns and one interception before both quarterbacks took their spot on the sidelines. Ravens' quarterback Anthony Brown came in and not only lead the team to the end zone, but went 4-for-4 with 28 yards and three carries for 12 yards on the drive.

[Aug 21, 2023 at 10:11 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

COMMANDERS FIELD GOAL: A shaky snap, but it doesn't matter, Joey Slye still gets the job done. He hits a 49-yard field goal to narrow Baltimore's lead and make it 21-20 Ravens.

[Aug 21, 2023 at 10:10 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

TOUCHDOWN RAVENS: Baltimore is having fun out there and took the lead with a touchdown on their first drive of the third quarter. Anthony Brown connected with Travis Vokolek for 17 yards and a score. 21-17 Ravens