Moss'd! Ravens Horse Around, Fall to Colts in OT 22-19
Moss was the boss on Sunday in Charm City.
The Baltimore Ravens dropped an overtime heartbreaker on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium, unable to contain Indianapolis Colts rusher Zach Moss in a 22-19 final. Indianapolis' Moss put up 122 yards on the ground and scored the team's first touchdown, the only six-pointer for them of the horseshoe helmets. All other points came through Matt Gay's field goals, including a 53-yard tally in the penultimate minute of the extra session.
Gay was perfect on the afternoon, hitting five field goal tries and the extra point after Moss' score. Four of those triples came from at least 50 yards away, setting a new NFL record.
Wasted in Baltimore's efforts was not only a chance to stay among the NFL's unbeaten but matching triple-digit efforts from Lamar Jackson. The Ravens' franchise thrower was responsible for each of their two touchdowns on the afternoon with 101 yards on the ground and throwing for 202 more. Elsewhere in the box score, Kyle Hamilton exploded for three sacks of Gardner Minshew, in for an injured Anthony Richardson, and two further tackles for a loss.
But the ailing Ravens (2-1) were unable to fully account for their own medical losses: Jackson was sacked four times on an afternoon where top blockers Tyler Linderbaum and Ronnie Stanley were missing and Zay Flowers was the top receiver in the absence of Odell Beckham Jr. at only 48 yards.
Moss' score, earned on a 17-yard hook-up with Minshew, helped Indianapolis build a 10-7 lead at the half. The Ravens enjoyed a Jackson score at the end of their first drive but were unable to generate any further momentum in the first 30. Their second drive, for example, ended when Kenyan Drake fumbled at the end of a 24-yard reception.
Another Jackson tally at the end of the third period, this one from 10 away, temporarily gave them the lead back before Gay booted another from deep at the onset of the fourth. Familiar special teams antics figured to be just enough for the Ravens, as Justin Tucker booted a 50-yard just before the midway mark.
Further momentum drifted to Baltimore's side when Minshew stepped out of bounds in the back of his own end zone with 2:03 left, giving Baltimore the ball back and a 19-16 lead to boot. But they were unable to run the clock out, allowing Gay yet another three-point opportunity.
Momentum shifted hands several times during overtime, which was brought about by Gay's fourth triple, also from 53. Baltimore managed to force the Colts into a turnover on downs at the cusp of midfield, but Indianapolis returned the favor. Jackson tried to find Flowers in the middle of the field on a three-yard fourth down from the Colts' 47, but his would-be game-extender fell short despite his protests for a penalty.
A 13-yard tally for Moss immediately placed the Colts (2-1) in Baltimore territory and allowed Gay to play the hero.
The Ravens will get back on the road next Sunday when they return to divisional play against the Cleveland Browns (1 p.m. ET, CBS).
