Storms, Flags Cloud Loss to Redskins
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When the weather wasn't stopping the game last night, the Ravens were stopping themselves.
For the second straight preseason game, the Ravens were their own worst enemies in a penalty-marred 13-7 loss to the Washington Redskins at rain-soaked FedEx Field.
Adding to the frustration of two delays - thunderstorms pushed back the opening kickoff 71 minutes and stopped the game just before midnight - the Ravens' starters combined for nine penalties in the first half, equaling the number they had in the first half of last week's preseason loss to the New York Giants.
The starting offense was penalized five times in the first quarter, including four false starts. The defense was flagged four times, three of which helped the Redskins march down the field on the final drive of the first half.
It's a troubling trend for a Ravens team that averaged only 6.8 penalties a game last season.
"Lightning, rain, wet field - those are no excuses," Ravens coach Brian Billick said. "That didn't cause the problems. We're going to have a tough time of it if we can't stay onside. I don't care what the circumstances are. It's not that difficult.
"Maybe we'll go on the same snap count. We'll just go on one every time from here."
While he was agitated by the penalties, Billick had no problem with the decision to stop the game with 11:38 remaining in the third quarter.
The game was called after lightning struck the stadium and knocked out a bank of lights in the end zone.
Read More: Storms, flags cloud loss [Baltimore Sun]
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