Knee-Jerk Reactions: Ravens 13 Vikings 3

The Baltimore Ravens improved to 2-0 this preseason with a 13-3 win over the Minnesota Vikings. Here’s what we saw and thought about the performance…

John Hughey

— If LaJohntay Wester hopes to make the 53-man roster, you’d have to imagine it’s with a special teams role. The second-year receiver has taken a majority of the returns during the Ravens first two preseason games and had his best performance this afternoon in Minnesota. A 20-yard return on his first attempt, followed by a smart fair catch on his second. Wester had a questionable fair catch call last week and appeared to learn from his mistake. You’d hope to see maybe a little more on the kick returning aspect of his game through two weeks.

— Safety Silas Walters had a rough first half, giving up two deep shots, a 50-yard reception allowed to Tai Felton and a 36-yarder to Jesahwn Jones in double coverage. He turned it around during the second half, producing a big PBU that helped lead to a turnover on downs, as well as a game-sealing INT late in the fourth quarter.

— Mike Green had a preseason performance you’d hope to see from your former 2nd-round pick. Green used a great dip around the edge to produce a sack on J.J. McCarthy, before a near second sack on the following play, but a holding penalty kept him from getting there in time. Green’s going to need to take that next step if the Ravens plan on improving from their sack total a season ago.

— Matthew Hibner was the standout rookie tight end last week, but Week 2 was Josh Cuevas’ turn. The Alabama product showed off his playmaking ability, recording a 22-yard and 17-yard reception on the same drive. It’s nice to see Cuevas display his athleticism, as well as getting into open space for Tyler Huntley, who had a blitzer in his face.

— The Ravens offense was pretty underwhelming in the first half. Huntley was left running for his life on multiple occasions, limiting the passing attack, and the run game was non-existent. They put together a 70-yard scoring drive, but only managed a field goal as the result. They went 3-and-out four times and struggled to convert on third down (1/6).

— The Ravens defense really has a different feel over these first two preseason games. Their edge rushers are winning one-on-ones, and they’re getting pressure from the interior. The secondary gave up some explosive plays today, but was also flying around to make plays on the ball. Ethan Burke, a UDFA out of Texas, was the standout on the line today. A PBU on the line of scrimmage, a sack, and multiple solid plays in coverage. When it comes to the 5th OLB spot, Burke looked far ahead of Adisa Isaac today.

— Joe Fagnano continues to look the part of a developmental backup in the NFL, and I don’t think it’s wrong to say at this point that the Ravens snagged themselves a really valuable player in the UDFA pool. Fagnano had pressure in his face throughout the afternoon, as expected when playing a Brian Flores defense. His 27-yard strike to Devontez Walker was a great display of moving up and working within the pocket. He’d cap off that same drive with an 8-yard TD pass to LaJohntay Wester. Austin Reed was given just the final drive of the game, which makes it seem even more that Fagnano has locked himself into that QB3 position.

I’ve seen enough from Cuevas and Hibner to feel decent about the TE group.

I know people think Andrews is totally washed but I’m not there yet. His knowledge & route running prowess alone will keep him as a viable pass catcher.

And Smythe is just a solid all-around TE. #Ravens

— Dev Panchwagh (@devpanchwagh) August 22, 2026

Jason Woolbert

— I could see at the start of this game the teams were sick of seeing each other, but they settled in quickly.  It was a game with a number of holding penalties on both offensive lines.  It was that kind of day; grinding out points where the teams could get them.

— I only saw two projected starters on either side of the ball for Baltimore:  the duo of Jovaughn Gwyn and Olaivavega Ioane.  Among the backups, the Ravens defense throttled the Vikings throughout the game until garbage time in Q4.  Mike Green had a good series netting him a sack followed by a QB hit and drawing a hold.  Ethan Burke stood out to me on both defense and special teams (where he saved a TD return by chasing the returner OOB).  Silas Walters bookended the game by giving up its biggest play, a 55-yard chuck to Tai Felton, and sealing the win with a red zone interception.  The duo of inside linebackers – Dominic Deluca and Jay Higgins – played all game and did well.  All the DL reserves did well.  Except for a few plays, all the reserve DBs did well.

— Ryan Eckley looks like a keeper.  Enough said there.

— So the offense still has some things to iron out.  Several different OL got caught holding, and there were a few sacks they gave up as well.  Tyler Huntley took a while to get in rhythm.  Josh Cuevas showed good, sticky hands.  The WR didn’t make much noise.  The running game was close to nonexistent.

— The guy that’s becoming a story from the preseason games to me is Joe Fagnano.  He needs to unlearn the one-read-and-throw process from college, but otherwise looks like an NFL QB.  He is decisive and his spiral is on a rope.

— I’m guessing this will all carry into the early regular season.  The offense is behind the defense in terms of learning the playbook.  The way the defense is performing, that’ll be okay when the Ravens travel to Indianapolis.

Jared Pinder

Obviously a tremendous job today on defense as that unit continues to dominate. Love the effort overall, and it looks like this could be a great unit this year.

Offensively, they really continue to struggle but as I said yesterday, it’s hard to be too concerned when the majority of the starters aren’t playing.

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