Ravens Start New Losing Streak in Preseason Finale vs. Buccaneers

Josh Johnson's opening drive mastery was the Baltimore Ravens' pride and joy despite dropping a narrow decision to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Saturday's preseason finale down south.

This is a  preseason streak that the Baltimore Ravens are more than happy to let go by the wayside. 

A new rushing star took center stage for the Ravens but an 89-yard output for undrafted free agent Owen Wright wasn't enough to avoid a second consecutive loss to close out the exhibition slate. A touchdown pass each from Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask allowed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to prevail by a 26-20 final at Raymond James Stadium on Saturday night, closing out the summer tilt for each side.

With little exception, Baltimore opted to showcase its depth after their lengthy, years-long, infamous preseason winning streak came to an end last week in the nation's capital. 

The final score notwithstanding, the Ravens (1-2) perhaps took in the closest thing one could have to warm and fuzzy feelings surrounding Saturday's game: Baltimore's second offensive unit made easy work of Tampa Bay's premier defensive group, needing only four plays to go 80 yards after taking in a punt after a three-and-out. The trek ended with Josh Johnson finding Laquon Treadwell from 24 away to take an early lead. 

Tampa Bay's own starters, one familiar and one new, got to stand out on their next drive as new franchise thrower Baker Mayfield found Chris Godwin for an 11-yard tally. The Buccaneers took what proved to be a permanent lead when Trask commandeered a 12-play, 94-yard trek, one that ended in the red zone on a six-yard scoring toss to David Wells.

With the headliners confined to the sidelines, Wright, a longshot to make the roster in the midst of the Ravens' running back roster battle, took center stage to the tune of 125 total yards and Baltimore's only second-half touchdown - a two-yard punch in the fourth and final frame. 

After preventing Tampa Bay from taking a two-score lead, the Ravens had one last chance to escape from Florida with a win and nearly earned it when Anthony Brown found Dontay Demus Jr. for a big gain that got them in Tampa Bay territory, but the Buccaneers' reserves made one last stand to serve as summer heroes.

Things get real when the Ravens next take the field, as the Houston Texans' visit M&T Bank Stadium on Sept. 10 will serve as their Week 1 kickoff contest at 1 p.m. ET.

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Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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