Separation against press coverage: Highlighting the league’s best receivers at beating press coverage

Rashod Bateman has been tough to defend: Bateman has created separation on a league-high 72.73% of snaps against press coverage. The next-closest receiver is at 61.54% after five weeks.

What is Separation Percentage?

Separation percentage measures how often a receiver beats the coverage to get open rather than benefiting from a defense more focused on limiting yards after the catch or stopping them short of the first down.

This metric is not limited to just targeted routes. Instead, it looks at all routes run where a defense tries to prevent a receiver from getting open.

Separation vs. press in 2024 (minimum 10 opportunities)

No. 1: Rashod Bateman 8-of-11 snaps with separation.

No. 5: Mark Andrews: 7-of-12 snaps with separation.

Which 3-2 teams will make NFL playoffs? Ravens and Packers promising; Steelers and Cowboys troubling

Kevin Patra, NFL.com

Ten NFL teams stand at the proverbial diverging road of their season.

Since 1990, teams that start 3-2 have made the playoffs 49.7 percent of the time. With a near 50/50 split, we can roughly guestimate that five of the 10 clubs currently sitting at 3-2 will spearhead their way into the postseason while the other five falter.

History can suggest the number, but not the journey.

No need to belabor the lead. If Isaiah Likely’s shoe was a half-size smaller and the Ravens didn’t have a collective brain cramp for 10 minutes against Las Vegas, we’d be talking about Baltimore as one of the two undefeated teams in the NFL, and a favorite to get to the Super Bowl. In a rare case, the Ravens’ record doesn’t say who they are. Lamar Jackson continues to play at an MVP level. The offense is starting to find a balance with Derrick Henry, a development that should only increase in comfort as the season progresses. The defense has holes, but can force big swings (SEE: this past Sunday’s game-changing interception in Cincinnati). Ranking No. 1 in offensive DVOA and second in EPA per play (0.16), Baltimore has a road-grading offense that can plow through modern defenses. And when in a bind, you can always count on Jackson to melt your brain with a ridiculous play.

The Ravens have played the most difficult opening slate, per Pro Football Focus. They came out the other side with a couple of losses to begin the season, but three straight wins have John Harbaugh’s team on a path toward the AFC North title.

RB Index, Week 6: Ranking top five NFL rushing duos

Maurice Jones-Drew, NFL.com

No. 1 Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry

The Ravens have fielded a top-three rushing operation in every season since Lamar Jackson was drafted in 2018, finishing No. 1 in the NFL three times (2019, 2020 and 2023). Through five games this season, Baltimore again holds that honor as the only team rushing for more than 200 yards per contest. Jackson and his new backfield mate, King Henry, are the perfect lightning-and-thunder combination. The two-time MVP keeps defenses on their heels with his quickness and speed and is an ankle-breaker in the open field. While Jackson runs around defenders, Henry, a two-time league rushing champion, runs through them. The 247-pound freight train has forced 30 missed tackles on runs this season and racked up 29 first downs, both second-most in the NFL, per Next Gen Stats. Both Henry and Jackson rank in the top 10 in rushing yards this season; the running back leads the league with 572, while the quarterback ranks eighth with 363.

Baltimore has rushed for at least 100 yards in 38 straight games, tied for the third-longest streak all time. The 2018-2021 Ravens and 1974-77 Steelers share the record at 43 games. If these Ravens keep the streak going, they will tie the record against the Bengals in Week 10 and break it Week 11 against … you guessed it, the Steelers.

Ravens vs. Commanders scouting report for Week 6: Who has the edge?

Childs Walker, The Baltimore Sun

Ravens passing game vs. Commanders pass defense

The Ravens had to throw to stay within shouting distance of the Bengals after going down 10 in the third quarter. Lamar Jackson and his receivers were up to the task, connecting for 235 yards and three touchdowns in the second half and overtime. Jackson flashed his unique ability to make something out of nothing when he dropped a snap, stiff-armed a would-be tackler, scrambled toward the sideline and threw across his body to tight end Isaiah Likely in the end zone.

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 backs Brian Robinson Jr. and 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.

EDGE: Commanders