Josh Johnson had a perfect completion record, going 11 for 11 in passes, and Emory Jones made a crucial touchdown throw in the second half, helping the Baltimore Ravens secure a narrow 13-12 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday.
Atlanta managed to score with 36 seconds left on a 3-yard run by Jase McClellan. However, their hopes of tying the game were dashed when Tavius Robinson stopped McClellan short on a 2-point conversion attempt, thus ending their comeback bid.
Key players like Lamar Jackson, Kirk Cousins, and Atlanta rookie Michael Penix Jr. did not play in the game, allowing Johnson and Jones to shine as they each threw a touchdown pass, with Jones bouncing back from a crucial fumble in the previous game.
Younghoe Koo kicked two field goals for the Falcons, but missed three subsequent attempts, all ending wide left.
Taylor Heinicke started as quarterback for Atlanta, completing 8 of 16 passes for 114 yards. He was later replaced by John Paddock, who nearly led the Falcons to victory with an 80-yard drive.
The Ravens took the lead in the second quarter with Johnson’s 6-yard touchdown pass to Owen Wright and maintained a narrow 7-6 lead at halftime.
Jones redeemed himself from his previous fumble by throwing a 56-yard touchdown pass to Dayton Wade in the third quarter, extending Baltimore’s lead. However, a failed 2-point conversion limited their advantage to seven points.
Linebacker Trenton Simpson made his presence felt for the Ravens with a strong defensive performance, including a big hit on Heinicke early in the game.
The lone turnover of the game occurred in the second quarter when Ravens center Ben Cleveland snapped the ball prematurely, leading to a fumble recovery by Atlanta.
While there were minimal injuries during the game, rookie linebacker Adisa Isaac of the Ravens was shaken up in the fourth quarter.
In upcoming games, the Falcons will host Jacksonville on Friday night, while the Ravens will face Green Bay next Saturday.