Baltimore Ravens Ride Justin Tucker's Leg to 18-3 Lead Over Tennessee Titans at Half in London
The Baltimore Ravens lead the Tennessee Titans 18-3 at the half in London.
The Ravens started the game hot as quarterback Lamar Jackson went 4-for-4 on the opening drive for 45 yards, with wideouts Nelson Agholor and Zay Flowers making big catches of 21 and 14 yards respectively along the way. The drive stalled at the Titans' 23-yard line when running back Gus Edwards was stuffed on a 3rd and 1. Justin Tucker gave Baltimore an early 3-0 lead with a 41-yard field goal.
The Titans' first possession of the game didn't fare any better. Helped by a pair of defensive pass interference penalties on Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Williams that totaled 29 yards, Tennessee's Nick Folk nailed a 26-yard field goal to tie the game.
The Ravens went back in front 6-3 near the end of the first quarter with a 28-yard shot by Tucker. Jackson was superb in the opening frame going 7-for-8 for 98 yards, while running back Gus Edwards had six carries for 23 yards, and Agholor caught two passes for 40 yards.
The defense and special teams took over early in the second quarter. Ravens LB Kyle Van Noy got his hands on a Ryan Tannehill pass on 3rd and 6 to deflect it harmlessly incomplete. Then punt returner Devin Duvernay returns the ensuing punt 70 yards to the Titans 17. But once again the offense stalls at the two-yard line when Lamar gets sacked on 3rd and Goal. Tucker added a 23-yarder for a 9-3 Ravens lead.
Lamar and the Ravens extended their lead on the next drive toward the end of the half with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Jackson to rookie receiver Zay Flowers. Baltimore attempted a successful two-point conversion but a Ravens offensive penalty negated the points and moved the ball back. Ravens coach John Harbaugh elected to kick the extra point, but it was blocked for a 15-3 Baltimore lead with just 3:28 left in the half.
The Ravens had possession of the ball with hopes of adding points just before the half, but the drive stalled at midfield forcing a punt with under 10 seconds on the clock. The punt was muffed by Titans returner Kyle Phillips and recovered by Baltimore with just one second left in the half. Tucker came on for the 29-yard field goal for an 18-3 Ravens lead as time expired.
The Titans will begin the second half with the ball.