ExtremeRavens Posted October 11 Posted October 11 Here’s how The Baltimore Sun sports staff views the outcome of Sunday’s Week 6 game between the Ravens (3-2) and Washington Commanders (4-1) at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore: Brian Wacker, reporter Ravens 27, Commanders 20: This one will be a shootout, so don’t be surprised if the score is even higher. The Ravens’ secondary has given up a ton of yards and Washington has one of the league’s weakest run defenses, allowing 5.1 yards per carry to rank 31st. The Commanders’ secondary also ranks 24th in completion percentage allowed (.687). But Baltimore’s defense is also perhaps the most talented that Washington has seen so far, and safety Kyle Hamilton, inside linebacker Roquan Smith and defensive tackles Nnamdi Madubuike and Travis Jones will make enough plays to force Washington into some mistakes. Childs Walker, reporter Ravens 34, Commanders 24: This matchup is one of the most exciting on the NFL calendar, pitting offenses that can blister any opponent on the ground or through the air. The Ravens will have to maintain defensive discipline on the edges and in the secondary to keep Jayden Daniels from going off. The Commanders, with one of the league’s weaker defenses, might have to pick their poison between Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry running and Jackson looking over the top as he did in Cincinnati. Washington’s potent offense won’t be silenced, but it won’t keep up with Jackson and Henry. This is a significant step up for the Commanders, and it will show in the end. Mike Preston, columnist Ravens 28, Commanders 21: Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and Washington rookie Jayden Daniels have similar styles, and Daniels has already proven he throws a better long ball. But in this game, experience will matter and Jackson is in his seventh season. That will be the marquee matchup, but the game will be determined by the Commanders’ defense. Washington is allowing 130 rushing yards per game, and that is a mismatch against the Ravens’ No. 1 ranked rushing offense. The Ravens aren’t that much better defensively with the No. 31 ranked pass defense, but they aren’t as bad as they appear on the back end. They still seem to have communication problems and were torched last week by the Bengals, but the Ravens will get pressure on Daniels. The Ravens need to step up in the secondary because the Commanders have some good receivers led by Terry McLaurin, and running back Austin Ekeler is a threat out of the backfield. Also, the Commanders’ four wins have come against the New York Giants, Cincinnati, Arizona and Cleveland, not exactly the class of the NFL. C.J. Doon, editor Commanders 31, Ravens 28: Everything on paper suggests the Ravens win, and perhaps easily. Washington’s defense is one of the worst in the NFL, and while the Ravens haven’t exactly looked like the 1985 Bears, they have much more talent on that side of the ball. Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry could simply have their way all afternoon, making it impossible for rookie Jayden Daniels and company to keep up. But something is pushing me to pick the Commanders and keep riding the Daniels hype train. Baltimore felt vulnerable enough on defense to bring in longtime assistant Dean Pees this week, and it could take a little more time to sort out the problems in the secondary. Daniels frustrates the Ravens’ pass rush and makes enough big plays to keep Washington within striking distance before leading a late drive for the game-winning field goal. Tim Schwartz, editor Commanders 34, Ravens 30: Who saw this coming from Washington? Jayden Daniels has proved to be everything that franchise needed and more, and the Commanders are a formidable foe. Roquan Smith is right: Daniels hasn’t seen a defense like the Ravens’, but Smith hasn’t seen a quarterback like Daniels either. And the only quarterback playing better than the rookie is … Lamar Jackson. Expect some superb quarterback play Sunday, so sit back and enjoy the shootout. Bennett Conlin, editor Ravens 33, Commanders 27: Coming into the season, plenty of people penciled in a win for Baltimore this week. Jayden Daniels’ sizzling start to his NFL career has turned this game into a must-watch matchup between two of the league’s most dynamic quarterbacks. Still, there’s a reason the Ravens and Lamar Jackson are nearly a touchdown favorite. Baltimore is the more complete team, with the Commanders having issues defending the pass. Baker Mayfield and Joe Burrow combined to throw for more than 600 yards and seven touchdowns in their respective matchups with Washington. The Commanders are a legitimate threat to win the NFC East, but the Ravens are a Super Bowl contender. There’s still a gap between these franchises, but it’s shrinking. If there were ever a Ravens-Commanders game to attend, this fits the bill. View the full article Quote
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