Tavius Robinson seized a key moment to make a game-changing play. Robinson stopped Jase McClellan short of the goal line on a crucial 2-point conversion attempt in the final minute, helping the Ravens secure a 13-12 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
Robinson, a linebacker who started one game for the Ravens last season as a rookie, was on the field at the end of the game after Asida Isaac began cramping.
“This kind of play boosts my confidence,” Robinson said. “Last year, I was so nervous before games, playing slowly and not knowing what to expect. Now, after a full season, I understand how the weeks go and feel much more comfortable on the field.”
Josh Johnson was perfect, completing all 11 of his passes, and Emory Jones threw a long touchdown in the second half for the Ravens. The Falcons scored a touchdown with 36 seconds left when McClellan ran 3 yards, but their 2-point conversion attempt failed. They also chose not to attempt an onside kick afterward.
Lamar Jackson and Kirk Cousins, the starting quarterbacks for each team, did not play. Atlanta’s rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. also did not play.
“We’re confident with Michael and the other guys we rested,” Falcons coach Raheem Morris said. “He showed us enough last week, so there’s no need to play him in the preseason.”
Johnson and Jones both threw a touchdown pass, with Jones bouncing back from a fumble last week that led to a game-winning field goal for Philadelphia against Baltimore.
Younghoe Koo kicked two field goals for the Falcons, including a 54-yarder in the first quarter. However, he missed from 40, 45, and 49 yards, all wide left.
With Cousins and Penix out, Taylor Heinicke started for Atlanta and completed 8 of 16 passes for 114 yards.
“I’m really proud of the guys; it was a much smoother operation,” said Heinicke, who was 4 for 11 for 11 yards in the preseason opener against Miami. “We moved the chains, got into scoring position, and although we didn’t score as much as we wanted, we gave Koo some chances.”
John Paddock came in late for the Falcons and led an 80-yard drive that nearly secured the win.
The Ravens went up 7-3 in the second quarter with Johnson’s 6-yard touchdown pass to Owen Wright. The score was 7-6 at halftime. Johnson threw for 120 yards.
Jones played just one snap in Baltimore’s first preseason game and fumbled, leading to the Eagles’ winning kick. This time, he had a much better performance, connecting with Dayton Wade for a 56-yard touchdown in the third quarter after Wade ran past defensive back Anthony Johnson.
“Emory is very calm and level-headed,” coach John Harbaugh said. “He’s very smart and keeps his cool.” A failed 2-point conversion kept Baltimore’s lead at seven points.
Linebacker Trenton Simpson, who is expected to have a bigger role this season after Patrick Queen’s departure, made a big hit on Heinicke early in the game and also recorded two tackles and a pass deflection.
The only turnover occurred in the second quarter when Ravens center Ben Cleveland snapped the ball before Johnson was ready, and Atlanta recovered the fumble.
Baltimore kicker Justin Tucker was penalized under the NFL’s new kickoff rules when his kick didn’t reach the designated area, giving Atlanta the ball at the 40-yard line to start the second half.
The game was mostly injury-free, though rookie linebacker Isaac left in the fourth quarter.
