This regional rivalry features key battles between specific players, units, and coaches.
The Baltimore Ravens will be back at home in Week 6 where they will host the Washington Commander in the interconference showdown known as the ‘Battle of the Beltway.’ For the fifth straight week, the Ravens are favored to come out on top in this regional rivalry.
However, games aren’t won on paper or decided by betting odds. There are some pivotal matchups between individual players, units, and coaches that will go a long way in determining the outcome of this contest.
Below are a handful of those key battles that could be deciding factors in Week 6.
Ravens run game v. Commanders rush defense
Baltimore’s overwhelming strength on offense is its rushing attack which ranks first in the league in total yards (1,056), yards per carry (6.1) and yards per game (211.2). Meanwhile, Washington’s defense has been among the NFL’s worst when it comes to defending the run, having allowed the 12th-most total rushing yards (650) and the second-highest yards per carry (5.1). The Commanders have especially struggled to defend runs out of multiple tight end sets off tackle to the outside, both of which the Ravens excel at running very proficiently. Through the first five games, they’ve allowed an average of 4.3 yards per carry to opposing quarterbacks and a league-worst 5.3 to running backs. Going up against reigning league MVP Lamar Jackson and four-time Pro Bowl running backs and NFL leading rusher Derrick Henry who both average six-plus yards per carry, they will have are facing their toughest challenge to date.
Ravens cornerbacks v. WR Terry McLaurin
While Baltimore doesn’t lack talent or depth at corner, the position group has contributed to the overall secondary giving up some big plays and explosive outings to upper-echelon-to-elite wideouts on opposing teams. Washington’s Pro Bowl pass catcher falls squarely into that category even if it’s on the lower end of the spectrum of the best in the league in the eyes of some pundits.
After a slow start to the season, while Daniels was getting his bearings, McLaurin’s production has boomed over the past three weeks with a pair of four-catch and 100-plus yard receiving performances, 264 total receiving yards and two scores after recording just yards and no scores through the first two games. He averages 13.2 yards per catch and his connection with Daniels on deep balls is already dangerous and is only getting stronger with each game of experience gained. While the Ravens still won’t have veteran nickel Arthur Maulet for another week after was ruled out on Friday they still have the talented trio of three-time Pro Bowler Marlon Humphrey, fourth-year pro Brandon Stephens and first-round rookie Nate Higgins who are more than up to the job of limiting McLaurin’s impact.
Ravens wide receivers v. Commanders secondary
As leaky as Washington’s run defense has been this season, opposing wideouts have had a field day through the air as well. The Commanders’ 10 touchdowns given up to players at the position are the most in the league with no interception. They are also allowing a league-worst 122.9 passer rating when targeting receivers which bodes well for the likes of Ravens starters Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman who are among the league’s best separators and are coming off big games in which they recorded season-bests in receptions and receiving yards. Against the Bengals last week, Flowers recorded seven catches on 12 targets for 111 receiving yards while Bateman hauled in four of eight targets for 58 receiving yards and his second touchdown of the season.
Ravens deep safeties v. QB Jayden Daniels
Baltimore’s secondary is not too far behind Washington’s when it comes to being susceptible to giving chunk gains and scoring plays to opposing wide receivers. The Ravens’ 114.1 passer rating allowed when targeting the position ranks 30th in the league and they’ve allowed eight touchdowns to wideouts—half of which came last week in one game. The main culprits on many of the big plays their secondary has given up this year have been veteran safeties, Marcus Williams and Eddie Jackson.
Far too often, they’ve been late getting to a spot to take away or at least better contest passes deep down the field or been responsible for critical missed tackles or miscommunications that left a pass catcher wide open. Against a quarterback such as Daniels who as a rookie, has already established himself as one of the best and most accurate deep ball passers in the league, the Ravens can ill-afford to have those kinds of lapses and inconsistencies occur if they want to avoid getting into another shootout.
RB Justice Hill v. Commanders off-ball linebackers
The Ravens’ veteran running back has been a dangerous weapon out of the backfield as a receiver and an excellent pass protector when he has stayed behind to block on passing downs. He is a mismatch in space against linebackers and while Washington has future Hall of Famer leading their defense in Bobby Wagner, he is far from the dominant coverage player he once was in his heyday. Veteran Frankie Luvu who starts next to him is a dangerous blitzer fresh off a 2.5-sack game but he will find getting past Hill much more of a challenge than he faced last week or at any point this season.
Ravens pass rush v. Commanders offensive line
Baltimore’s pass rush has been one of the league’s most potent and productive to start the season with multiple sacks in every game. Their 16 sacks are tied for the sixth-most in the league and their 41 hits are tied for the third-most and they’ll be going up against a Washington offensive line that has given up 12 sacks and will often be overmatched both on the edge and along the interior in this game. Limiting Daniels on scrambles by capitalizing on the opportunities to bring him down behind the line of scrimmage will be key to neutralizing the Commanders’ incredible offensive efficiency.