Patriots backup quarterback Matt Cassel hands off to Laurence Maroney during the first half of last night’s exhibition opener against Baltimore. Cassel was just 1-for-4 for 11 yards passing and threw an interception.

The Providence Journal / Bob Breidenbach

FOXBORO — Tom Brady, Randy Moss and Wes Welker, who were stars of the most prolific offense in the NFL last season, suited up but didn’t step onto the Gillette Stadium turf last night as the New England Patriots hosted the Baltimore Ravens in the preseason opener for both teams.

Without the three Pro Bowl selections, the Patriots’ offense struggled to put points on the board and the team lost to the Ravens, 16-15. New England’s only touchdown came late in the game, with newly acquired running back LaMont Jordan punching it in from a yard out. The Pats’ two-point conversion attempt failed.

Instead of Brady, Matt Cassel started at quarterback, and punctuated an already tough week of practice with a less-than-stellar performance. Receiver Chad Jackson, who has been the topic of much discussion since training camp began, didn’t do much to show that he’s ready for the breakout year so many expect from him, and the patchwork offensive line had a difficult time trying to slow the Ravens’ pass rush.

“That was a good learning experience for our team,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. “It certainly could have been better. There were some good things to work off of, and other things we need to improve on. We can’t turn the ball over five times and win too many games in this league.”

Cassel, starting his fourth season with the Pats, was only 1-for-4 for 11 yards passing against the Ravens. He also threw an interception — his sixth of the week if you count the combined five he threw in practice on Monday and Tuesday. He also sacked himself, slipping on third-and-21 for a seven-yard loss.

That wound up being his last snap of the game.

“We got out there and we really couldn’t get anything generated,” Cassel said. “We had some penalties and there were some miscommunications out there between myself and Chad. You come out in the first game and try to go out and execute, and we weren’t really able to do that tonight.”

There were some bright spots — mostly on defense, where many of New England’s regulars saw at least a few series’ worth of action.

Pierre Woods was the standout, as the former undrafted rookie finished with three tackles, a sack, a forced and recovered fumble and a pass defensed. He was one of the few players to play the entire game.

Woods started at outside linebacker opposite Adalius Thomas. With Mike Vrabel just coming off the physically unable to perform list, Woods has gotten a lot of time with the first-team defense in training camp. He led New England with 21 special-teams tackles last year but did not see much time with the defense.

“I think he’s improved every year,” Belichick said of Woods. “He has had a good training camp this year and it looked like he got in on a few plays out there.”

“I was up here [in New England] for almost the entire (offseason) working out and working hard,” Woods said. “I will continue to do the things I’m supposed to do to become a better linebacker, and hopefully it will all pay off.”

First-round pick Jerod Mayo started at inside linebacker alongside Tedy Bruschi, and put a hard hit on Ravens rookie running back Ray Rice. On the next play, Thomas and Richard Seymour combined to sack Kyle Boller, and Ty Warren picked up the fumble.

Mayo was credited with three first-half tackles.

Later in the first half, one of the Pats’ other rookie linebackers, Shawn Crable, picked off Boller. It was the first interception for Crable since his days at Washington High in Massillon, Ohio. (He did not record one at Michigan.) Crable and nose tackle Kenny Smith split a late sack on Ravens first-round pick Joe Flacco in the game’s final minutes.

Jordan ran the ball well. However, most of his carries came in the second half, when Baltimore was down to its second- and third-string defense.

Jordan scored the Patriots’ touchdown, in the fourth quarter, getting the ball for five consecutive carries from rookie QB Kevin O’Connell. Jordan picked up 18 yards in the stretch, finishing with a one-yard plunge into the end zone.

Also, Stephen Gostkowski was 3-for-3 on field-goal attempts, hitting from 36, 44 and 40 yards.

Ravens

16

Patriots

15

smanza@projo.com