Commanders end Ravens' historic streak in preseason thriller

Joey Slye kicked a 49-yard field goal to give Washington the lead with seconds remaining on the clock, capping off a night that was as electric as you'll ever see in a preseason NFL game.

Sam Howell impressed once again as he played the entire first half for the Commanders, completing 19-of-25 passes and throwing two touchdowns, one to Antonio Gibson and another to his college teammate Dyami Brown. Howell also ran three times for a combined 17 yards.

The hero in the clutch was third-stringer Jake Fromm, though, who led a drive in the final three minutes that started back at Washington's own 9-yard line in order to set up Slye's winning kick. That drive included being faced with a 4th and 11 from their own 23, which the Commanders converted by drawing a pass interference penalty.

The Commanders are no strangers to being the kryptonite for other teams' winning streaks in recent years. Last season, they beat the previously 8-0 Philadelphia Eagles on the road in prime time. In 2020, they gave the 11-0 Pittsburgh Steelers their first loss of the year.

Now they've ended the most insignificant streak in the NFL, and yet you'd never know it given how seriously both teams took Monday night's game. Tensions had been high all week between the two DMV area squads, who were practicing together ahead of their meeting and were involved in multiple dustups.

Suffice to say, this win carries more weight than your ordinary preseason win. And for Commanders fans, it may be the first sign that the positive vibes aren't limited to just off the field.