BALTIMORE (AP) Tyler Huntley completed 16 of 18 passes for 110 yards and a score in the first half, and the Baltimore Ravens extended their preseason winning run to 21 with a 23-10 victory over the Tennessee Titans on Thursday night.
The Titans’ rookie quarterback Malik Willis scored on a run, but Huntley put Baltimore up for good with a 14-yard scoring pass to Shemar Bridges in the last minute of the second quarter.
Bridges has four receptions for 62 yards as an undrafted rookie out of Fort Valley State.
I like Shemar, said Ravens coach John Harbaugh. He’s a large, strong man. He goes up and gets the ball, he runs fast in practise, and he works hard on special teams in practise.
Among the standouts who did not play on Thursday were Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry. Huntley was Jackson’s primary backup last season, making four starts.
He was sharp in this preseason opening, although with primarily short completions.
Tyler performed admirably. Harbaugh described his stats as “out of this world.” He did an excellent job running the offence. In the passing game, timing was crucial. I think the offensive line looked terrific.
Willis, a third-round pick from Liberty, started the game for the Titans because Ryan Tannehill was injured.
Willis scored in the second quarter on a 7-yard rush, whirling back toward the Tennessee sideline and then sneaking between a pair of Baltimore players near the goal line.
Willis completed 6 of 11 passes for 107 yards and ran for 38 yards on 5 attempts.
He needs to attempt to deliver the ball when people are open and be more decisive, according to coach Mike Vrabel. I wanted to get him out there and see how he reacted. He did well.
Safety Kyle Hamilton, a Ravens first-round choice this year, recovered Julius Chestnut’s fumble at the Tennessee 22. Baltimore capitalised on the short field, taking a 7-0 lead on a 4-yard run by Mike Davis.
The Titans led 10-7 at the half when Huntley led a 10-play, 58-yard touchdown drive. Then, in the second half, Justin Tucker added three field goals.
Logan Woodside took over as Tennessee’s quarterback in the third quarter and was intercepted twice, including one underthrown pass that Daryl Worley intercepted at the Baltimore 2.
Anthony Brown took over for Huntley and finished 10 of 15 for 117 yards for the Ravens. Brett Hundley also appeared near the end.
Since Atlanta defeated the Ravens 20-19 on September 3, 2015, Baltimore has not lost a preseason game.
INJURIES
Tylan Wallace of Baltimore and Chris Jackson of Tennessee both exited with knee problems.
NEWCOMERS STAND OUT
Jordan Stout was picked by the Ravens to replace longtime punter Sam Koch. On four punts on Thursday, Stout averaged 47.8 yards.
Another Baltimore rookie, tight end Isaiah Likely, had four catches for 44 yards, but he also had two holding penalties.
I probably had a jitter or two before the game, considering the stadium seats roughly 70,000 people. Probably said. You simply have to look around and grin, get a jitter out, and then remember it’s football.
CHANGE IN MID-DRIVE
After Willis gained 17 yards on a scramble, the Titans replaced him with Woodside in the middle of Tennessee’s opening offensive possession of the second half.
Vrabel explained, “I wanted Malik to throw the ball.” And he didn’t.
IN MY MIND
Before the game, the Baltimore fans observed a minute of silence in memory of linebacker Jaylon Ferguson and retired defensive lineman Tony Siragusa, both of whom died in June.
UP NEXT: The Titans will host Tampa Bay on August 20.
The Ravens play at Arizona on August 21.
The Ravens beat the Titans 23-10 in their 21st preseason game.
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