The Ravens' starting defense dominated two days of joint practices against the Minnesota Vikings, and the backups picked up where they left off.
Baltimore capped a successful extended road trip with a 13-3 victory at U.S. Bank Stadium in the second week of the preseason.
The Ravens defense was stingy, just like in the preseason opener, but did two additional things Head Coach Jesse Minter wanted to see: it got takeaways and finished the game better.
Here's who stood out in Saturday's game:
Ravens' Defensive Line
Baltimore's defensive line won the battle in the trenches, causing problems for both of Minnesota's backup quarterbacks, J.J. McCarthy and veteran Carson Wentz. Aeneas Peebles got consistent pressure, a C.J. Okoye pressure caused a tackle for loss, and rookie Rayshaun Benny closed out the first half with a sack. David Olajiga also had a clean win in the third quarter for a half sack. After the game, Minter said the defensive line is the tightest competition because of its strong depth.
K Tyler Loop
Loop missed his first field-goal attempt of the preseason from 49 yards out. He lined up from the same distance in Minnesota, and this time, he drilled it. Loop also made a 20-yard kick in the fourth quarter and hit all six of his field-goal attempts in Thursday's joint practice. Preseason kicks aren't the highest-pressure ones, but Loop was under a microscope heading into this week, and his performance should quiet some of the noise about bringing in competition.
OLB Mike Green
The Ravens believe Green can reach double-digit sacks in his second season, and he flashed that potential in the first quarter when he bent around the edge and wrapped up J.J. McCarthy's ankles from behind for his first sack of the preseason. On the next play, Green's pressure forced a holding penalty that negated a long completion.
QB Joe Fagnano
Fagnano engineered the Ravens' only touchdown of the game, connecting on a 27-yard catch-and-run to Devontez Walker and finishing it with an 8-yard touchdown pass to LaJohntay Wester. The undrafted rookie quarterback continued to look decisive in the pocket and make good decisions.
TE Josh Cuevas
Cuevas helped get the Ravens' offense going, catching two passes for 40 yards on their third drive, and finished with a team-high 46 receiving yards. Fellow rookie Matt Hibner stole the show in the preseason opener, and Cuevas showed his potential in the follow-up.
P Ryan Eckley
After an uneven preseason debut, Eckley was excellent in his second game. His best punt was a 54-yarder that pinned the Vikings at their own 4-yard line.He also had punts of 60, 59, 59, 56 and 40 yards.
OLB Ethan Burke
Burke forced a fumble that the Ravens recovered in the third quarter and bull rushed Vikings right tackle Tristan Leigh for a sack late in the fourth quarter. Burke also had two passes defensed, including a swat on a screen pass that looked like it could've gone for a pick-six had Burke gotten two hands on the ball.
G Vega Ioane
It was a tough first series for the Ravens' first-round rookie. He was beaten for a pressure on Tyler Huntley on the first snap, flagged for holding on second down, and allowed another pressure on third down. Ioane played just two series against the Eagles in the opener but saw more time in Minnesota against a ferocious blitz.
S Silas Walters
Walters was in coverage on a 50-yard throw on the Vikings' first drive and got his feet tangled up and went down on a 36-yard reception later in the game. But the undrafted rookie sealed the game with an interception as the Vikings were driving late in the fourth quarter with a good read and catch.
WR LaJonhtay Wester
Wester led the Ravens with five receptions. While they only went for 24 yards, Wester showed his grit with tough catches over the middle and shiftiness when he had space. He was rewarded with the game's only touchdown.
