The Washington Redskins stepped up on defence against the Baltimore Ravens as they edged out 16-10 winners at M&T Bank Stadium.

Two game-changing plays went against Baltimore, the first of which was when the ball slipped out of C.J. Mosley’s hand and through the end zone, causing a touchback.

Breshad Perriman’s second foot landed out of bounds and the touchdown was chalked off, and that score would have tied the game.

Washington’s biggest play on the day came when Jamison Crowder returned Sam Koch’s punt 85-yard for a touchdown.

Gillmore scored a touchdown on the game's opening drive (Photo: Baltimore Ravens)
Gillmore scored a touchdown on the game's opening drive (Photo: Baltimore Ravens)

Ravens score on opening drive

After releasing Justin Forsett during the week, Terrance West was brought into the Ravens offence as first-choice running back.

And on the opening drive of the game, the running back picked up 35-yards on a third-and-1 to set up the game’s opening score. Flacco found tight-end Crockett Gillmore in space in the end zone and John Harbaugh’s side started the game by making a big statement on offence.

Crowder returned Koch's punt 85-yards for a touchdown (Photo: Baltimore Ravens)
Crowder returned Koch's punt 85-yards for a touchdown (Photo: Baltimore Ravens)

Punt return touchdown for Crowder

However, this was as good as it got for the Flacco and his O-line as the Redskins soon scored a touchdown of their own in astounding fashion. Baltimore’s punt coverage has been questionable this season, and once again they showed why this was the case. Crowder collected Koch’s deep punt and ghosted through tackles before evading the kicker and running in for a touchdown.

Washington missed the extra point, and the Ravens’ ‘D’ stepped up and made a big play when linebacker Zachary Orr hit Matt Jones and forced a fumble, and recovered himself.

This set Flacco and his offence on the Washington 15-yard line, but they went three-and-out and Justin Tucker kicked a 31-yard field goal.

Perriman's late catch was ruled out of bounds (Photo: Baltimore Ravens)
Perriman's late catch was ruled out of bounds (Photo: Baltimore Ravens)

Redskins take lead for first time

Kirk Cousins failed to get going in the first half, but he found Pierre Garcon for a 21-yard touchdown, which concluded a drive of 50-yards in three plays.

Baltimore went three-and-out before Koch penned the Redskins into their own half, as he punted to the one-yard line.

Mosley intercepted Cousins on the second play of the drive and had a clear path to the end zone, but he let go of the ball when he tried to dive for the goal line.

This forced a touchback and Washington were let off, Dustin Hopkins’ field goal made it a six-point game and the Ravens had one final attempt in the game to drive up the field.

And after making some big plays on third and fourth down, Baltimore thought they had levelled the game when Perriman caught Flacco’s pass.

However, after some deliberation, the call on the field was overturned and with 33 seconds remaining the Ravens couldn’t come out on top.

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About the author
Andrew McDonnell
Sports writer based in the North-East of England, safe to say I have found my niche in sports writing and I strive to succeed with everything I do, including Vavel, both in the UK and USA. First official Writer of the week for the USA office too. Cover Manchester United, Watford, Cricket, MLS and NFL.