The Baltimore Ravens’ defense delivered another dominant performance Saturday, holding the Minnesota Vikings to a single field goal in a 13-3 win that pushed Jesse Minter’s first preseason as head coach to 2-0. Through two games, Baltimore has allowed just 10 points, a strong early signal for a defense that finished last season managing only 30 total sacks.
The lone touchdown came with just under six minutes left in the third quarter, when quarterback Joe Fagnano found a wide-open LaJohntay Wester on an 8-yard pass for Wester’s first NFL touchdown at any level. Fagnano was efficient again, completing 15 of 20 passes for 123 yards and the score without a turnover; over his first two preseason outings, he’s now 37-of-48 for 327 yards and two touchdowns against one interception, a stretch that’s started generating real buzz around the backup quarterback spot.
The defensive story ran deeper than the scoreline. Baltimore recorded five sacks, spread across outside linebackers Mike Green and Ethan Burke, defensive lineman Rayshaun Benny, safety Keondre Jackson, and a shared takedown between lineman David Olajiga and cornerback Chandler Rivers. Burke also forced Baltimore’s first turnover of the preseason, stripping Vikings receiver Jeshaun Jones on Minnesota’s first offensive snap of the fourth quarter, recovered by cornerback Amani Oruwariye. With Minnesota threatening late to cut the lead to single digits, undrafted rookie safety Silas Walters jumped a route and intercepted quarterback Max Brosmer to seal it — a play that tracks with what Baltimore has seen from Walters throughout camp, where he’s flashed the same kind of ball-hawking instincts in practice reps against the Ravens’ own offense.
Zion Young, Baltimore’s second-round pick this spring, started at outside linebacker again after being drafted specifically to help reinvigorate a pass rush that badly needed it last season. He’s getting extended run early in a competition the front office clearly views as important. Also notable in the starting defensive lineup: cornerbacks T.J. Tampa and Bilhal Kone started ahead of Nate Wiggins and Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore’s presumptive starting corner duo, both of whom left practice early last week with injuries. Minter said both are trending well and could return as soon as this week.
Lamar Jackson sat out again, continuing a pattern from the preseason opener against Philadelphia, with Tyler Huntley getting the start under center for the offensive starters’ brief look. New offensive coordinator Declan Doyle has been building his scheme around explosive shot plays with Jackson in practice, and third-round rookie receiver Ja’Kobi Lane has been one of the standouts of camp, reportedly putting together one of the better rookie training camps in recent team history, including highlight-reel catches over veterans Humphrey and Kyle Hamilton-adjacent safety help.
Off the field, Baltimore made a roster move this week, signing inside linebacker Jamon Johnson — a Baltimore native and St. Frances High School product who appeared in two games last season — and waiving undrafted rookie cornerback Matthew McDoom to make room on the 90-man roster. Camp also had a physical moment recently when outside linebacker Tavius Robinson and offensive tackle Carson Vinson had a shoving match after a play, prompting both sidelines to converge before coaches separated the group; Minter addressed the team afterward, framing the incident as part of the competitive edge camp is meant to build.
Both offenses struggled to run the ball Saturday — Baltimore averaged 2.6 yards per carry, Minnesota 3.6 — and the two teams combined to convert just 10 of 29 third-down attempts. Penalties were even, with nine accepted on each side; Ravens right tackle Gerad Lichtenhan was flagged for holding three times. Wester led all Baltimore receivers with five catches, while Elijah Sarratt, running back Elijah Tau-Toliver and tight end Josh Cuevas each added three.
The Ravens close out the preseason at home against the Washington Commanders next Friday at 6 p.m. at M&T Bank Stadium — the final tune-up before roster cuts and a season that carries real weight after Baltimore missed the playoffs a year ago following a division-clinching loss to Pittsburgh in Week 18.
