OTL: More Tidbits from Preseason Win in Dallas

The Baltimore Ravens have accomplished one goal this preseason: they’ve locked in on a starting kicker. Ryan Mink of the Baltimore Ravens official website reports that Loop was officially named the kicker shortly after his performance against the Dallas Cowboys. The Ravens kicker has the right mindset going into the season.

Loop made five field goals from 29, 51, 42, 36, and 53 yards, respectively. The only blemish on his spectacular night was a miss (wide left) on a 50-yard attempt in the fourth quarter. But even that proved to be a positive, he said, because he bounced back minutes later to nail his longest kick of the night.

“I would say that even builds more confidence; when maybe you fall short of your process once, but then you can come back and just go back into that process,” Loop said. “It builds those repetitions and just makes you feel more confident and comfortable.”

We’re not fair to kickers. If Loop didn’t get that last chance for the 53-yarder, his night would have ended on a miss. It would have been a blemish on a great night; there’s no way around it because fans think kickers have one job, and they’ve seen Justin Tucker be almost automatic for a long time. Loop did have one final chance though and he perfectly split the uprights for his fifth make of the evening. I like what Loop said about going back to the process. He’s making his kicking behavior muscle memory, practiced methods that he can always rely on. That’s not just well coached talk, that’s how good kickers think. It’s how a young Justin Tucker would have handled it.

It’s kind of funny that it needed to be made official that Loop is the Ravens kicker. What competition does he have in his way? What would the Ravens do if they weren’t vibing with “Loop There It Is?” It’s official though and that’s a nice moment for Loop. A moment deserved.

Zach Canter from Baltimore Beatdown had a few observations from the Ravens preseason bout in Dallas. One of them was the quick, sharp night from the Ravens’ first round pick:

Once again, Starks had a quick and quiet night. Much like last week, Starks only played the first two series and it was without much fanfare. The only appearance for Starks was a deep ball from Joe Milton that hit off the hands of the receiver. Even if the receiver had held on, Starks was right there and delivered a shot that could have knocked the ball out anyway. It’s been a mistake-free preseason for the first-round rookie, and the Ravens are clearly confident in him, pulling him early each time so far. Now it’s just time for the real football to begin for Starks.

Starks looked the part but once again didn’t get to do that much. I’m subscribing to the “no news is good news” feed when it comes to Starks. The Ravens would probably force more playing time for him if they felt he wasn’t ready. The fact that he is a rookie is an easy baked in excuse to get him more reps, but they are pulling him from the action early. If Zach Orr and company aren’t worried about Starks, one of the most impressive prospects from the 2025 NFL Draft, who am I to worry about him? Starks is sharp and we may not see him again until Sunday Night Football against the Buffalo Bills.

Canter also noticed a mid-round selection that got the job done, Teddye Buchanan:

After last week’s outing was quiet and maybe put a lid on the idea that a fourth-round rookie linebacker could take snaps early, this week was the opposite. Buchanan showed up early and often. In the first series, Buchanan shot a gap on an outside run for an explosive tackle for loss of five yards that set up the safety. On the second series, he had impressive coverage that led to an incompletion. Trenton Simpson had a quick night, so he is still the likely starter next to Roquan Smith. But Buchanan is going to push to get more snaps in the regular season and looks going.

This is a player I can’t help but be excited about. Buchanan plays fast, and as a rookie that is impressive in itself. He is confident in what he sees and he puts himself in the right place to make a play. Preseason or not, that is the foundation of linebacker play. Buchanan reminds me of a young Daryl Smith. Their builds are almost identical and Buchanan has the instincts and the ability to play in space that made Smith such a long time valuable leader for the Jacksonville Jaguars and then eventually for the Baltimore Ravens from 2013-2015.

Trenton Simpson hasn’t lost ground to Buchanan yet, Canter is right to point out Simpson’s short night. Expect Buchanan to play special teams and to make some big hits in the process. He’ll find a way to make impact plays for this defense, even if it’s more in the future than early this season.

“If not this week, he’ll be fine for the opener.” Coach Harbaugh with a status update on Keaton Mitchell pic.twitter.com/okP5LmNln2

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 17, 2025

Take a sigh of relief. Keaton Mitchell is expected to be ready for the regular season per John Harbaugh. Mitchell showed the goods in the first preseason game. Seeing him back was exciting. The next time he runs the rock it will be in a game that counts.

Ravens pass rusher Mike Green’s preseason stats through two games, per @PFF_Macri

– 30 pass rushing snaps
– 5 pressures
– 16.7% pressure rate
– 30.0% pass-rush win rate
– 86.4 pass rush grade

BEAST pic.twitter.com/okbkkm4STT

— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) August 18, 2025

I didn’t want to harp on it this week, because I couldn’t stop raving about him last week, but Mike Green looks the part. Five pressures in two games and above healthy PFF scores make an impressive first impression. Green’s development will be tested in the regular season. In the preseason though, his athleticism stands out and then some.

Peebles getting after it. Most excited I’ve been for a 6th round pick I think ever pic.twitter.com/eiapAmZQXg

— Yuri (@Yuri_Ravens) August 18, 2025

Here is a hustle play by sixth round pick Aeneas Peebles. Peebles looks very impressive. He certainly moves well and inspired for such a big man. We’ll leave it here. Go make some hustle plays of your own dude, it’s Monday!

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