WEEK 6: Washington Commanders (4-1) at Baltimore Ravens (3-2)
When
Sunday, October 13th at 1 p.m.
Where
M&T Bank Stadium (70,765)
Spread
Ravens are favored by 6 1/2 points (BetMGM Sportsbook)
How to Watch/Listen
Television: CBS / WJZ Ch. 13 (Baltimore)
National Radio: ESPN Radio
Local Radio: WBAL 1090 AM / 98Rock (97.9 FM) / SiriusXM Radio Ch. 85 or 225
SERIES HISTORY
The Ravens and Commanders have met only seven times during the regular season with Baltimore holding a 4-3 advantage. The teams have met 15 times in the preseason — with the Ravens holding an 11-4 edge. Washington did end the Ravens’ 24-game preseason winning streak in 2023.
NOTABLE
The Raves have both the NFL’s No. 1 rush offense (211.2 ypg) and defense (60.4 ypg allowed). The Ravens have posted more than 754 rushing yards differential, ranking as the second-highest margin (+758, 1984 Bears) by any team through its first five games of a season since the 1970 league merger.
2024 RANKINGS
Ravens: Total Offense: 1; Total Defense: 19
Commanders: Total Offense: 4T; Total Defense: 14
RAVENS’ GAME PLAN
Offense
The Ravens are led by two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson, who was named the AFC Player of the Week. Jackson has thrown for 1,206 yards with nine touchdowns and one interception for a 107.2 passer rating. He has also run for 363 yards with two scores.
The Ravens have the NFL’s No. 1 rushing offense, averaging 211.2 yards per game. Establishing the run could be the focal point for offensive coordinator Todd Monken because Washington is ranked 22nd against the run (130.0 ypg) and 14th against the pass (328.0 ypg). Derrick Henry has a league-best 572 yards rushing with six touchdowns. The Ravens will test Washington early with the running attack.
However, the Commanders could stock the box to try and contain the Ravens running backs. The Bengals were unsuccessful with that strategy in Baltimore’s 41-38 overtime win last week. Jackson was adept at throwing the ball and completed 26 of 42 passes for 348 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions. Zay Flowers caught seven passes for 111 yards. The Commanders rank 13th against the pass, allowing 198 yards per game. The Ravens will make the necessary adjustments to attack them.
The Ravens had to tweak the offensive line because left guard Andrew Vorhees was out the past two games with a knee injury. The Ravens moved Patrick Mekari from right tackle to Vorhees’ spot at left guard. Rookie second-round pick Roger Rosengarten took over the starting job at right tackle. The rest of the offensive line stayed the same with left tackle Ronnie Stanley, center Tyler Linderbaum, and right guard Daniel Faalele. Harbaugh likes the way this group has performed and could move forward with this starting lineup on Sunday.
Defense
Commanders rookie sensation Jayden Daniels is a dual-threat quarterback and is the first player in NFL history with more than 1,000 yards passing and 250 yards rushing in his first five career games. The Ravens, however, are the most aggressive defense he has faced all season. Baltimore’s front seven will keep Daniels under pressure.
The Ravens’ secondary has been the weak link of the team through five games. Baltimore has given up 1,401 yards passing and opposing quarterbacks have averaged 280.2 yards per game — both ranked 31st in the NFL behind the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Ravens need to do a better job of preventing big plays downfield. Daniels has several talented wide receivers who can create matchup problems, including Terry McLaurin who has 303 yards receiving on 23 receptions. Tight end Zach Ertz will look to take advantage of the middle of the field — an area where the Ravens have struggled. The cornerbacks and safeties need to have tighter coverage and do a better job tackling or they could get exposed.
No team has been able to run against the Ravens, who are ranked No. 1 in the NFL allowing 60.4 yards rushing per game. Brian Robinson Jr. leads Washington with 325 yards rushing, but he will be challenged against Baltimore’s stout defensive line that includes Michael Pierce, Travis Jones, and All-Pro Nnamdi Madubuike. The Ravens should be able to make Washington one-dimensional with the passing game, but the secondary needs to respond.
PREDICTION
The Commanders are 4-1 for the first time since 2008 and have re-energized their fanbase. However, the Ravens are also riding high with three straight victories and have a home-field advantage in this matchup. Jackson is playing at the highest level of his career and he has already earned two NFL MVP awards. The emergence of Daniels is a good storyline but he will face an aggressive Baltimore defense looking to bounce back from last week’s performance against Cincinnati.