Falcons backup quarterback Dominique Davis turned in a much more respectable performance against the Ravens on Thursday night at M&T Bank Stadium than he did a week earlier.
Davis came on for Matt Ryan in the second quarter and promptly drove the Falcons for a field goal. He led the offense on three scoring drives before Sean Renfree took over late in the third quarter.
Davis stayed under control as he completed 8 of 10 passes for 98 yards and finished with a passer rating of 107.5.
In the exhibition opener against the Bengals on Aug. 8, Davis was 8-of-19 for 78 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He had a passer rating of 49.9.
“Dom got caught in some plays that weren’t the best of plays last week,” offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter said before the game. “Then he’s playing with some other guys who might have made some mistakes that made him look bad. He made one really bad decision on the interception.”
Davis, who has not played in a regular-season NFL game, is trying to nail down the Falcons’ No. 2 quarterback position. He was signed as an undrafted rookie out of East Carolina in 2012 and was the team’s No. 3 quarterback last season.
Worrilow shines: Linebacker Paul Worrilow continued his strong play for the Falcons.
In addition to starting on the front line of the kickoff-return team, Worrilow went in at linebacker with the second unit and continued to make tackles.
He had a fumble recovery nullified in the third quarter when officials ruled that Baltimore receiver Tandon Moss did not have control of a pass before cornerback Robert McClain delivered a big hit.
Who's hot: Backup cornerback Dominique Franks helped his chances of sticking with the team by intercepting a pass.
Who's not: Backup cornerback Peyton Thompson was badly beaten in coverage in the fourth quarter as Ravens wide receiver Aaron Mellette got free for a 40-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor.
Line depth: Backup guard Phillipkeith Manley received some practice snaps at left tackle, but played left guard, his normal position, against the Ravens.
He is one of the players who is cross-training at a new position after making the roster last season.
“I think one of the keys to this is going to be who has more position flexibility,” offensive line coach Pat Hill said. “That’s why they are learning all the different positions.”
The Falcons like to carry only seven linemen on game days and need versatile reserves.
“These guys have got to be sharp,” Hill said. “The guy that can help you at more positions and do more things, a lot of times will have an advantage.
Ravens stunned: The Ravens, who throttled Tampa Bay 44-16 in their exhibition opener, were not happy with their first-half showing against the Falcons.
“That was not us,” Baltimore defensive coordinator Dean Pees said. “That’s not how we play. Our fundamentals were not what they should be.”
Ravens coach John Harbaugh was not happy trailing 20-7 at halftime.
“That first half was about as poorly as we could play,” Harbaugh said. “I can’t remember us playing worse since we came here.”
Georgia connections: The Ravens have nine players on their roster with Georgia connections.
Running back Anthony Allen (Georgia Tech), wide receiver Marlon Brown (Georgia), offensive guard Ramon Harewood (Morehouse), linebacker Daryl Smith (Georgia Tech), defensive end DeAngelo Tyson (Georgia), linebacker Meshak Williams (Kansas State, Worth County High), safety Brynden Trawick (Troy, Sprayberry High), wide receiver Rashaad Carter (Tusculum, Stephenson High) and Bobby Rainey (Western Kentucky, Griffin High).
Smith, who is taking over for Ray Lewis at inside linebacker for the Ravens, had six tackles in the first half and a pass breakup.
Etc.: Tight end Tony Gonzalez (family leave), linebacker Sean Weatherspoon (finger), fullback Bradie Ewing (undisclosed injury) and running back Jason Snelling (undisclosed injury) did not dress for the game. … Gonzalez is scheduled to return to practice Sunday. … Wide receiver Martel Moore left the game with injured ribs and did not return.
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