The Numbers Don’t Lie
41-3. That’s the final score, sure, but the real story lives in the passing stats nobody expected to see pile up that high. Joe Fagnano finished the night with a 98.1 passer rating after going 19 of 27 for 162 yards and a touchdown. It’s just one game, yet his full summer totals are what should make the front office sweat before they cut the roster. Yahoo Sports CFB reports the undrafted rookie threw 509 yards on 56 of 75 completions, tallying three touchdowns and just one interception. He also added a one-yard scoring sneak to show he can run too. The team usually carries two quarterbacks, but Fagnano made himself too good to lose by making a mistake-free show of force.
Washington Commanders fans had no answer for this Baltimore unit. The Ravens held a massive advantage in total yards, pushing 456 to the Commanders’ 177. They also controlled the clock for 33 minutes and 45 seconds. First-year coach Jesse Minter got a perfect 3-0 preseason record without his stars even playing. The depth looked faster and more physical than anyone predicted. This was not a fluke; it was a statement that the backup players are ready to step up if the starters go down.
Depth That Changes Everything
While Fagnano grabbed the headlines, the rest of the backups proved they belong on this team. Tyler Huntley needed just one possession to show he is still sharp, going 4-for-4 for 61 yards and finding Chris Moore for a 25-yard touchdown. Moore caught three passes for 54 yards and looks like a solid candidate for the practice squad. The offensive line controlled the line of scrimmage without giving up a single sack on 39 pass attempts. They rushed for 195 yards and averaged 6.5 yards per attempt. Jovaughn Gwyn and Ethan Pocic both looked good at center, keeping the competition open but the unit strong.
Running back Adam Randall did enough to earn a spot as the third option. He averaged 5.0 yards on five carries and added 45 yards on three catches. He even stiffed an opponent and bounced his head off the grass on a screen play. The only real worry is kicker Tyler Loop, who missed from 58 and 51 yards. His confidence seems gone, and the team might have to look for someone else to handle field goals. But the rest of the roster looks deep and dangerous.
Time to Break the Mold
Baltimore has stuck with two quarterbacks for years, but Fagnano’s performance makes that old rule look silly. Why would you cut a guy who threw for 509 yards and never threw an interception in the preseason? The stats show he has the poise and accuracy to play if Lamar Jackson sits out. The team needs to stop worrying about tradition and start looking at the numbers. If they keep three quarterbacks, they get a player who can actually win games when the starter rests. The roster cuts are coming in less than 48 hours, and the decision is clear.
The Ravens finished their final dress rehearsal with a perfect 3-0 record and a 78-13 combined score over three games. They dominated the Eagles, Vikings, and Commanders without Lamar Jackson or Derrick Henry playing much.
