Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III returned to practice this week after suffering a concussion in last Saturday’s preseason game. (Getty)
The Baltimore Ravens lost last week. The Washington Redskins won last week. But it felt a bit like a loss as injuries continued to take their toll on the squad. Now, for the second straight year, the two teams square off against each other in Week 3 of the preseason. So, how does either team bounce back?
It’s do or die time for Washington’s offensive line, a group that has yet to impress or do much of anything to protect Robert Griffin III. The embattled quarterback was hit, and hit hard, last week. So much so that he eventually left the game with a concussion. That can’t happen in the preseason. Not to your franchise quarterback. Not to anyone, but especially not to your franchise quarterback.
It wasn’t much better on the Ravens side of things last week. The offensive line didn’t offer much time for either Joe Flacco or Matt Schaub to look down the field and the amount of penalties that Baltimore piled up in 60 minutes of football was so high it was almost impressive.
Both teams are hoping to turn things around on Saturday night and, hopefully, find some kind of on-field consistency in the preseason matchup. Here’s what you need to know about the game.
The Basics
Who:
Washington Redskins vs. Baltimore Ravens
When:
Saturday, August 29 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel:
The game will be broadcast locally in Baltimore on NBC 11 and in Washington DC on NBC 4. Click here for a full TV schedule.
Where:
M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
Line:
Baltimore -4 via Oddsshark
Last Meeting:
Ravens 23, Redskins 17 on August 23 in Baltimore
Scouting the Redskins
The Washington Redskins are concerned about an injury and this one doesn’t have anything to do with Robert Griffin III.
According to ESPN sources, linebacker Junior Galette suffered a torn Achilles at the end of practice on Wednesday. Redskins coach Jay Gruden didn’t confirm the official diagnosis but told media that he was “very concerned.”
It’s been a controversial offseason for Galette, 27, who was released by the New Orleans Saints earlier this summer, less than a year after they signed him to an extension worth up to $41 million. He was arrested in January on charges of domestic violence and while those were later dismissed, he is still under investigation by the NFL and faces suspension.
Galette had only just recently returned to practice after suffering a torn pectoral muscle in June and was expected to make his Redskins debut on Saturday.
Scouting the Ravens
Don’t even worry about it. Well, worry about it slightly. Worry about it and then use that worry to get better.
That’s the mentality the Baltimore Ravens have used throughout the week after a 23-point defeat at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles last week. It was the kind of game where Joe Flacco completed three passes to Baltimore receivers and then two more to Eagles defensive backs. It was not good.
It was also not something the Ravens were not particularly interested in dwelling on. This is the preseason after all and things are not always going to be good. So instead of moping and focusing on what went wrong, Baltimore has spent practice working on making sure things go right this week. That means fewer interceptions from Flacco, better defensive pressure up front and cutting down on penalties.
There was plenty to work on after the loss. There will, probably, be plenty to work on after this game as well, win or lose. That’s just how preseason works.
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