Commanders passing game vs. Ravens defense

Ravens passing game vs. Commanders pass defense

All of his key targets, from Isaiah Likely to Mark Andrews (four catches on five targets, 55 yards) to Rashod Bateman (four catches for 58 yards and a touchdown) to Zay Flowers (seven catches for 111 yards), made vital plays to keep the Ravens moving as they rallied for an improbable victory over the Bengals. Jackson had attempted just 33 passes over his previous two games, so the Ravens showed their offense, No. 1 in the league in DVOA and yards per play, could be great in a different way.

Their pass protection held up well despite the fact Cincinnati knew they would throw on almost every play. They’re likely to stick with their line configuration from the last two games — rookie Roger Rosengarten at right tackle and Patrick Mekari at left guard — even if original starting guard Andrew Vorhees (ankle) is healthy enough to suit up against Washington.

Jackson will go against a Washington defense that ranks 27th in DVOA against the pass but just played its best game of the season in beating the Browns and struggling quarterback Deshaun Watson. The Commanders sacked Watson seven times and held him to 125 yards on 28 attempts. Coordinator Joe Whitt’s defense blitzes on 27.5% of dropbacks and ranks 14th in the league in pressure rate, per Pro Football Reference.

Defensive end Dorance Armstrong Jr. (three sacks, nine quarterback hits) is Washington’s top edge rusher, and defensive tackle Jonathan Allen is a threat from inside. But the Commanders are unusual in that inside linebackers Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu are just as important to their pass rush as the big guys upfront. The Commanders are vulnerable in the secondary, where cornerbacks Mike Sainristil and Benjamin St-Juste are average at best in coverage. They have not intercepted a pass through five games. EDGE: Ravens

Commanders passing game vs. Ravens defense

Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels has transformed Washington’s offense into one of the league’s best — first in scoring and third in yards per play. After a relatively ragged start, the Commanders have averaged 38 points over their last three victories. Daniels, the No. 2 pick in the 2024 draft, is remarkably accurate (77.1% completions) but not at the expense of looking downfield (8.7 yards per attempt). He has thrown an interception in each of his last two games and completed just 14 of 25 passes against a Browns defense that was the toughest he’s faced.

Wide receiver Terry McLaurin (23 catches on 36 targets, 303 yards) is easily Daniels’ top playmaker. He also likes to target tight end Zach Ertz and running back Austin Ekeler. Washington’s offensive line, led by left tackle Brandon Coleman and center Tyler Biadasz, has given Daniels time to work. The rookie is a threat to extend any play, so the Ravens will have to be disciplined about boxing him in.

Coordinator Zach Orr’s defense will try to bounce back from a rough day in Cincinnati, where Burrow (30 of 39 for 392 yards, five touchdowns) had his way after he got into rhythm with wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey and defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike stepped up with an interception and a sack, respectively, to help get the game to overtime, but the Ravens will need better performances from Humphrey (questionable with an ankle injury), cornerback Nate Wiggins, safety Marcus Williams and outside linebacker Odafe Oweh to hold Daniels in check.

Oweh and Kyle Van Noy will have to set tough edges, and safety Kyle Hamilton could be Orr’s ace in the hole monitoring the elusive quarterback’s movements around the line of scrimmage. Daniels’ passing efficiency drops against pressure, but he has punished blitzes with his scrambling, so it will be interesting to see how often Orr sends extra rushers. EDGE: Commanders

Ravens running game vs. Commanders run defense

The Ravens easily lead the league in rushing and yards per carry and have outgained opponents by an average of 151 yards per game. Jackson is averaging 6.8 yards per carry, Derrick Henry 6.0 and Justice Hill 4.9 for an attack that’s ahead of the historic pace the Ravens set in 2019.

They’ll go against a Washington defense that has allowed 130 yards per game (22nd in the league) and 5.1 yards per carry (31st). Will Whitt and Commanders coach Dan Quinn make the same choice the Bengals and load up to counter Baltimore’s ground force? Washington does have an excellent pair of linebackers in the aforementioned Wagner and Luvu, but its defense is softer upfront with tackles Allen and Daron Payne and ends Armstrong and Clelin Ferrell grading as average to poor run defenders, according to Pro Football Focus. EDGE: Ravens

Commanders running game vs. Ravens run defense

The Ravens have always had an elite running game with Jackson, no matter who’s taking the handoffs, and we’re seeing the same phenomenon with Daniels, whose Commanders rank second in rushing and fourth in yards per attempt. The rookie quarterback, averaging 60 yards per game and 5.3 per attempt, is a threat on designed runs and scrambles.

Washington has rushed for at least 200 yards in three of its four victories and will challenge a Baltimore defense that has limited opponents to 60.4 yards per game and 3.1 yards per carry. The Ravens have imposing run defenders at all three levels, from Travis Jones walling off the interior to Roquan Smith roving the middle to Hamilton coming up from the secondary. Teams have abandoned the run against them, but the Commanders won’t, and the absences of key reserves Broderick Washington (knee) and Malik Harrison (groin) will hurt. EDGE: Even

Ravens special teams vs. Commanders special teams

Justin Tucker eased worried minds when he made a 56-yard field goal to push the Bengals game to overtime. Tucker had missed wide left from 53, 56 and 46 in the Ravens’ first three games, but the most accurate kicker in league history was perfect in the clutch in Cincinnati despite breezy conditions. On the flip side, the Ravens made a pair of return mistakes with Tylan Wallace and Chris Collier filling in for injured starter Deonte Harty (questionable with knee injury). Wallace’s error was costly; he failed to field a punt that rolled out at the 2-yard line, and the Bengals dropped Henry for a safety on the next play. Because of such miscues, the Ravens rank an unfamiliar 23rd in special teams DVOA.

The Commanders rank 10th in DVOA. Kicker Austin Seibert has made all 12 of his field goal attempts (none from 50 yards or more) since he replaced Cade York after Washington’s opener. Ekeler has averaged an impressive 31.8 yards on six kickoff returns, and Olamide Zaccheaus has averaged been equally good on punts, averaging 18.3 yards. EDGE: Commanders

Ravens intangibles vs. Commanders intangibles

The Ravens pushed their winning streak to three with that wild win in Cincinnati, and they’ll look to solidify their spot atop the AFC North as they put an 0-2 start behind them. Coach John Harbaugh faced sharp criticism for his clock management at the end of the first half against the Bengals, but he has the team where it was expected to be after a difficult early schedule. Harbaugh’s Ravens have generally overwhelmed rookie quarterbacks who come to M&T Bank Stadium, though Daniels is playing better than most. Jackson has lost just one career start against an NFC team.

The Commanders are one of the hottest teams in the league in Quinn’s first season, riding a four-game winning streak marked by offensive explosions. Daniels has brought real hope to a fan base that suffered for decades under previous owner Daniel Snyder. The Ravens will present the greatest test to date for this burgeoning juggernaut. EDGE: Ravens

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