Nnamdi Madubuike was back in the lineup in Week 3, and the Ravens did not treat his return like a cameo. He jumped right into a full workload, leading Baltimore’s defensive linemen with 47 snaps in his first game of the season.
That was only part of a defense that leaned hard on its regulars. Calais Campbell logged 32 snaps and finished with a team-high three quarterback hits, his most impactful outing of the year so far.
On the edge, Tavius Robinson once again handled the biggest load in the room with 58 snaps, while Trey Hendrickson followed at 45. Zion Young kept climbing too, out-snapping Mike Green 26 to 22.
At inside linebacker, Roquan Smith never came off the field. He was the only defender in the game to play every snap.
Teddye Buchanan’s return from injury was much lighter, as he saw only three plays. Trenton Simpson was on the field for 46 snaps and still looks secure in his starting role.
The secondary mostly held its usual shape, with a few notable shifts. Nate Wiggins and Marlon Humphrey were again out there for nearly every play.
Chidobe Awuzie played a season-high 15 snaps, and Chandler Rivers also hit a season high with 32. Rivers appears to have the nickel cornerback job over Keyon Martin for a second straight week.
Kyle Hamilton left briefly after an injury but came back quickly. Malaki Starks stayed in a near every-down role with 73 snaps, while Jaylinn Hawkins’ usage dipped a bit, though he still played 61.
On offense, the line was thrown into shuffle mode late, but Carson Vinson had a clean first start at left tackle and played all 64 snaps. Four of the other five starters also played every snap.
The trouble started at center. Jovaughn Gwyn exited after 46 snaps, and Ethan Pocic suffered a knee injury after only 10 plays.
That pushed Vega Ioane into center for the final stretch, with Andrew Vorhees sliding in at right guard. Emery Jones Jr. added three snaps.
Derrick Henry carried the biggest workload in the backfield, more than doubling Justice Hill’s snap total, 43 to 21. Henry also handled 26 carries. Hill made the most of his chances, producing his best game of the season with 33 yards on five carries.
At tight end, Durham Smythe led the group with 34 snaps after Mark Andrews went out mid-game with a hand injury. Andrews came back and finished with 33.
Rookie Matthew Hibner and Josh Cuevas each played their highest snap totals of the season, and the pair combined for three catches. Hibner’s came in the biggest moment, as he caught the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Zay Flowers returned from injury on a limited 21 snaps, but that was still enough for him to lead the Ravens in receiving with five catches for 84 yards. He also added 20 rushing yards and came just a couple yards short of the end zone.
Rashod Bateman was on the field for 56 snaps and had two catches, while Chris Moore continued to hold a surprisingly large role with 33 snaps. Moore is still seeing far more action than Devontez Walker, who played 17 offensive snaps.
In Other News...
Lamar Jackson Capitalized On A Cowboys Mistake Ravens Fans Wont Forget
The Ravens had already seen enough to know how thin the margin was in their Brazil matchup with the Cowboys, and the final kickoff decision only sharpened that lesson. Dallas chose to take the touchback instead of squibbing it away, leaving Baltimore with the full clock and a chance to make the most of one last possession.
Lamar Jackson and the Ravens did exactly that, turning the extra time into a quick scoring drive that sealed a win Baltimore fans are unlikely to forget. The call fell on a Cowboys staff led by Brian Schottenheimer and special teams coordinator Nick Sorensen, and the criticism has followed them ever since because one cautious choice ended up giving Jackson the opening he needed. [Read more 🡒]
Ravens Just Got The Response They Needed From Declan Doyle
After the Ravens took a Week 2 loss, offensive coordinator Declan Doyle was an easy target for the usual second-guessing that follows a disappointing result. His first year as a play-caller had already put him under a brighter spotlight than most, and the question hanging over him was whether he could answer it with the kind of sequencing and confidence Baltimore expects when the game tightens.
Against the Cowboys, Doyle delivered the response the Ravens needed. He put together a late drive that leaned into aggression and creativity, and it finished with Tyler Loop drilling a 56-yard field goal to seal a 34-31 win. For a coach still settling into the job, it was the kind of high-pressure series that can change the conversation quickly, even if the larger test of his play-calling is still ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Ravens Survived Absolute Chaos And Still Closed It Out
The Ravens trip to Rio de Janeiro was already going to stand out as a one-of-a-kind NFL event, and it turned into a finish worthy of the setting. Baltimore outlasted the Cowboys 34-31 in the leagues first game in Rio, with Lamar Jackson helping steer the late drive and Tyler Loop drilling a 56-yard field goal as time expired to end it.
Jacksons 27-yard strike to Zay Flowers late in the fourth quarter put the Ravens in position for the winning try, capping a night that also featured strong showings from Derrick Henry and Dak Prescott. It was the kind of chaotic, high-pressure opener that could have swung either way, and Baltimore left Brazil with a win it had to fight all the way to the final kick to secure. [Read more 🡒]