Lightning made their night shorter, but the Ravens' preseason success continued.
Baltimore won its 16th consecutive preseason game Thursday night with a 26-15 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. The game was halted at just over three minutes into the fourth quarter, after both teams were sent to the locker room due to a lightning and rain storm at Lincoln Financial Field. After a short delay, the decision was made by the NFL league office not to continue the game.
The Ravens haven't lost a preseason game since 2015, and they have won in a variety of ways. Starting quarterback Lamar Jackson sat out this game, but rookie Trace McSorley played well (19-for-28, 203 yards, two touchdowns), and the Ravens jumped to a 26-0 lead that put them in control.
"We sat down a number of starters on offense, our starting defense played two series," Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh said. "I thought Trace did a heck of a job. Our defense played really well. … Then the lightning came."
Both the Eagles and Ravens were on the same page once the storm arrived. It made no sense to restart the game.
"All the players on both sides felt that way, coaches felt that way," Harbaugh said. "To send the guys out there after sitting in the air conditioning for what was going to be a long time would've just been crazy, and I think would've put them at an undue risk for injury. It was a good decision. I thought the league did a great job. The common sense of it was really good."
Asked about the significance of winning 16 straight preseason games, Harbaugh said, "I think it's significant in the sense that our coaches do a great job, coaching in training camp. We've developed players really well. I think we do a really good job as an organization – scouts, coaches, everybody – bringing in competitive guys and good football players. They want to work hard in training camp. Maybe we get out in front just a little bit, maybe you can say that, with how we practice, how we prepare."
The Ravens end their preseason next week on the road against the Washington Redskins.
