Desert Storm: Baltimore Ravens Bash Arizona Cardinals 31-24
The Baltimore Ravens defense saved the best for last ... the last possessions of the first half, at least
The Ravens won their third in a row on Sunday afternoon to the tune of a 31-24 triumph over the Arizona Cardinals. It was a triumph earned behind a defensive effort that let up only 199 yards over the first three periods before the State Farm Stadium hosts mounted a desperate, futile comeback. On offense, Gus Andrews put in three rushing touchdowns while Lamar Jackson found Mark Andrews for a six-pointer in the air.
Sunday's defensive showing started off on a bit of a sour note, as Baltimore (6-2) allowed a touchdown on its opening possessions for the first time in 16 games. The Cardinals ignited an upset bid with a 12-play, 75-yard trek capped off by a one-yard run for quarterback Josh Dobbs.
After that, however, it was a mostly sterling effort for the Ravens over the rest of the way, one that forced two turnovers on downs and an interception before the first half let out. The offense bided its time until an interception for Brandon Stephens, whose takeaway in the penultimate minute set the stage for a quick six-play, 43-yard drive that ended with Edwards' first punch-in of the day just before halftime.
While the score remained stagnant at 14-7 for most of the third quarter, another aerial steal for Geno Stone once again set the Ravens up in prime territory and ignited a streak of three straight tallying drives to close the deal. Edwards' second six came from seven yards away while a methodic, eight-play, 37-yard post after a punt from hapless Arizona yielded a Justin Tucker field goal.
While the Cardinals (1-7) struck back with a touchdown and two-point conversion (Dobbs running in the latter after finding Trey McBride from 17 away), Baltimore secured its fate and put an exclamation point on things with one last touchdown for Edwards. Re-establishing the double-figure lead made a one-yard touchdown from Dobbs to Marquise Brown and an onside kick recovery that led to a Matt Prater field goal mostly symbolic
Sunday was a profitable day for Baltimore, which boosted its AFC North division lead up to a game-and-a-half with Pittsburgh's loss to Jacksonville earlier in the day. It was, however, potentially costly, as Odell Beckham Jr. did not appear in the second half after sustaining an injury in the first half-hour.
Another NFC West test awaits the Ravens next week as they face the Seattle Seahawks next Sunday in the opener of a three-game homestand.
