Ravens rookie quarterback Tyrod Taylor capped a last second drive with a diving touchdown to Brandon Jones, and Baltimore escaped with a narrow 34-31 win over the Washington Redskins in Thursday night's NFL preseason exhibition.
But despite the late excitement, the game's driving storyline was the ongoing Redskin quarterback duel between Rex Grossman and John Beck. Both men alternated after every two Washington series until the fourth quarter, and each looked relatively sharp in their short appearances.
Grossman finished having thrown 8-of-15 for 112 yards, punctuated by a superb 24-yard second-quarter touchdown toss to Santana Moss. Beck left with a similar line, throwing 6-of-10 for 108 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
On the other side of the ball, Joe Flacco and the Ravens' offense finally executed after two consecutive feeble efforts to kick off the preseason. The 26-year-old quarterback led the team to three scoring drives before he exited midway through the third quarter, tossing touchdown passes to Lee Evans and Anquan Boldin on route to a 17-of-27, for 219 yards performance.
For more post-game reaction and analysis of the Baltimore Ravens' preseason matchup against the Washington Redskins, check out Baltimore Beat Down and Hogs Haven.