Riding leaders Sam Howell, he rallied late after the Ravens to end one of the sport’s strangest streaks

Sam Howell set them up. Jake Fromm knocked them down.

The Washington Chiefs staged a late fourth quarter rally capping off with Joey Sly Field’s 49-yard field goal for a 29-28 win over the Baltimore Ravens Monday night. The win snapped an impressive 24-year preseason winning streak for the Ravens that had stood since 2016.

The record has been standing since 2021 when Baltimore beat the Carolina Panthers in Week 2 of the preseason. This 20-3 win tied the Green Bay Packers (1959-6-2) for the longest preseason winning streak in league history at 19. Six wins later, the record is all of Baltimore. Prior to Monday, the last time they lost a preseason game was a 20-19 defeat to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4 of 2015.

Baltimore’s record may not be challenged. Winning 24 straight times at anything is an amazing statistical feat, regardless of the stakes – or lack thereof. The Las Vegas Raiders now claim their longest active preseason winning streak with six. The Pittsburgh Steelers have won five in a row.

“It’s an appreciation for the organization, how we go about it, and how diverse the team we have,” the Ravens’ Mark Andrews told ESPN representative Lisa Salters during the game.

So does the line actually mean anything in the Ravens locker room? He does for Andrews.

“We are proud of working hard in the training camp and winning matches,” he added.

Now is the time to start a new one.

The streak was in danger after a strong first half from captain Sam Howell. A sophomore fifth round North Carolina State was recently selected as the team’s starter for the regular season. Show cause with his passing and poise in two quarters of play.

Howell led the leaders with two touchdowns and a field goal on four possessions in the first half as Washington led 17-14 at halftime. His mission included a successful two-minute drive that ended in an 11-yard touchdown pass to Diami Brown.

Half finished completing 19 of 25 passes for 188 yards with two touchdowns and no turnovers, primarily against the Ravens backups. He added 17 rushing yards on three carries. His biggest mistake was the second sack leading to a third-and-15 when he had time to get rid of the ball. But he followed it up with a 17-yard completion to tight end Cole Turner in a tight window for a first down. He did not play in the second half.

Washington committed two turns in the second half, as a Kristop Rodriguez fumble led to a Ravens touchdown that gave Baltimore a 28-21 lead. Washington had a chance to tie the game late on, but a tackle by Keogh Kelly to linebacker Alex Arma kept Washington away from the two-point conversion.

But the Leaders had one last chance, and a drive behind reserve fullback Fromme set up Slay’s game-winning goal with nine seconds remaining.