The Ravens rushed for 111 yards and controlled possession but entered halftime trailing the Falcons 14-9 on Sunday night after a costly turnover and missed opportunities kept Baltimore out of the end zone.
Tyler Loop accounted for all nine points, including two 51-yard field goals, while Mark Andrews’ lost fumble resulted in a Jessie Bates III return touchdown. Baltimore outgained Atlanta 197-115 and held the ball for 19 minutes, 28 seconds, but its statistical advantage did not translate into a lead.
The running game produced, but the Ravens did not score a touchdown
Baltimore rushed for 90 yards on 14 carries in the opening quarter against an Atlanta defense that entered allowing 48.3 rushing yards per game. Derrick Henry finished the half with 57 yards on 12 carries, while Justice Hill added 26 yards on three attempts.
The Ravens gained 51 rushing yards on their opening possession, but Henry was stopped at the 1-yard line before a penalty and an Andrews third-down drop helped force a field goal. Baltimore averaged 5.8 yards per carry in the half, giving the offense a foundation it needs to turn into touchdowns.
Mark Andrews’ mistakes prove costly
Andrews’ opening-drive drop cost Baltimore an opportunity to finish near the goal line. His subsequent lost fumble gave Atlanta a 7-3 lead on Bates’ scoop-and-score.
According to ESPN Research, as Jamison Hensle reportedy, it was Andrews’ second career lost fumble and his first since 2019. He finished the half with one nine-yard reception. Those mistakes carried considerable weight in a half when Atlanta’s offense produced only one scoring drive.
Tyler Huntley finds some rhythm late
Huntley completed 11 of 18 passes for 97 yards without a touchdown or interception, up from an early stretch when he was 4 of 8 for 28 yards.
Third-down drops by Andrews and Zay Flowers complicated his start, while Huntley was sacked twice. A separate sack of Flowers pushed Baltimore’s team total to three. Huntley showed better poise late, finding Rashod Bateman for a 19-yard gain during the possession that ended with Loop’s final field goal.
Defense allows one concerning drive
Baltimore contained Atlanta early, but Michael Penix Jr. changed the half with 25-yard completions to Drake London and 36-yard completions to Jahan Dotson before a 5-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Pitts.
Atlanta converted three third downs on that possession after opening 0 for 3. The Ravens limited Bijan Robinson to 28 rushing yards and received a sack from Mike Green, but those explosive passes helped Atlanta maintain its lead.
Tyler Loop kept Baltimore close.
Loop made all three field-goal attempts, closing the half with his second successful kick from 51 yards. He is now 5-for-5 from at least 50 yards this season, up from 1-for-4 as a rookie.
His accuracy kept Baltimore within five points. The Ravens have moved the ball well enough to compete, but finishing drives and eliminating mistakes will determine whether they can turn that production into a second-half comeback.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens-Falcons first-half takeaways: Mistakes leave Baltimore trailing