Redskins and Ravens trade fisticuffs as Skins lead 14-13 at half
Aug 29, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) drops back to pass during the first quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Redskins vs. Ravens – 1st Half analysis:
Fisticuffs broke out in the first quarter between the Baltimore Ravens and the Washington Ravens. Redskins linebacker Keenan Robinson tackled a Ravens receiver and drove him in the ground and the Ravens didn’t like it.
Both Steve Smith Sr. and Chris Culliver were ejected from the game and head coaches Jay Gruden and John Harbaugh had words after Harbaugh ran onto the field to try to break up the melee.
First Quarter
- Nice long kick for Ty Long to get the touchback. More touchbacks are needed this season.
- Duke Ihenacho comes up to make a good strong tackle on the Justin Forsett.
- Steve Smith abuses David Amerson on the long catch and run. After reports of Amerson looking better this season, it seems the old Amerson has shown up against the Ravens. Dashon Goldson looked bad there too. Ravens lead 7-0
- Good sign getting Alfred Morris involved in the passing game. That will help open things up later down the road.
- Nice conversion on third down. Cousins held his ground in the pocket and threw an accurate pass to Andre Roberts.
- Not sure what Cousins was looking at right there. Terrell Suggs was right there in front of him. Should have pulled that one down.
- With rumors persisting that Cousins will be the week one starter, that’s not a good look.
- Redskins defense holds after the interception, forces the field goal. 10-0 Ravens
- Cousins not inspiring much confidence with the fumble off the snap. He did recover it though.
- Typical Kirk Cousins. He looks bad one play and outstanding the next. He put together some nice throws there for first down conversions.
- Cousins putting together a nice drive here.
- Two mistakes by the O-line has things going backwards for the Redskins. Tom Compton playing tight end missed a block and Trent Williams with the false start.
- Nice to see Jordan Reed out there making plays. Great catch on third down.
- Gruden should have punted there on fourth down. He probably would have in the regular season.
- Redskins defense stiffening but they give up the third and 10 conversion.
The Ravens have the upper hand but the Redskins are hanging tough. Ravens lead at the end of the quarter 13-0.
Second quarter
- Redskins still having trouble running the football. The Ravens defensive line so far is dominating the line of scrimmage. No room for Alfred Morris.
- Nice play to get a hand on the ball by Perry Riley in pass coverage.
- Redskins pass rush starting to get to Joe Flacco.
- Flacco making the little pays that shows the difference between a true franchise quarterback and those who think they are. It just looks different, easier.
- Redskins defense keeping them in the game so far. I like what I’m seeing from the interior line.
- Finally getting a look at Jamison Crowder and so far he’s looking good.
- Matt Jones is load to bring down. He definitely brings another dimension to the running game and the passing too.
- Crowder with the heady play on the deflection for the touchdown. 13-7 Ravens
- The Redskins defense continues to build momentum as the Ravens go with Matt Schaub in place of Flacco.
- Great two-minute drill led by Kirk Cousins as Chris Thompson finishes the ling drive with a short TD run. Redskins lead 14-13
- Another short kick by Kai Forbath. Something needs to be done there. Special teams spoils a great comeback in the first half.
At the start of the game it seemed like the Ravens were going to blow out the Redskins. Kirk Cousins threw an interception and the Ravens were up 13-0 but the Redskins held tough and things seemed to take a turn after the melee.
Kirk Cousins came back from the bad interception and kept his composure. Ryan Grant and Jamison Crowder have stepped up and are catching some nice balls. Way to hang in there and come back. Cousins with 190 yards passing in the first half, 1 TD and 1 int.