Jayden Daniels, the Washington Commanders’ rookie sensation, has been making headlines all season long. He's led his team to four straight wins and showcased a rare blend of poise, accuracy, and athleticism.
He’s commanding the league’s top-scoring offense and is currently leading the NFL in completion percentage. It’s been an impressive start for the No. 2 overall pick, but this Sunday’s game presents a challenge that history suggests may be too steep.
When Daniels faces the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium, he’ll be stepping into a situation where rookie quarterbacks rarely thrive. The Ravens have been a nightmare for first-year signal callers, boasting an imposing 26-7 record against rookies in the John Harbaugh era.
That kind of dominance is no accident. It reflects Baltimore’s well-executed defensive schemes, their physical style of play, and the intimidating atmosphere at M&T Bank Stadium.
Rookie QBs struggle against the Baltimore Ravens’ defense
Rookie quarterbacks simply don’t find success when facing Baltimore. The Ravens have turned M&T Bank Stadium into a house of horrors for young QBs, compiling an 18-2 record against rookies since 2018.
Even top-tier rookies like C.J. Stroud, last year’s standout, fell victim to Baltimore’s defensive prowess. Stroud, who had a stellar rookie season, faced Baltimore twice and lost both times, including in the playoffs. He admitted that his hardest hit all year came courtesy of Roquan Smith in Baltimore.
Texans QB C.J. Stroud shared how Roquan Smith and the Ravens’ defense welcomed him to the NFL in his first-ever game
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) June 5, 2024
“I still threw for like 240 but they won so you shoot kudos to bro. He nice though, Roquan really like that. They be hitting bro” pic.twitter.com/QZ10SHZjnR
Smith, the heart of the Ravens’ defense, loves nothing more than welcoming rookies to the NFL. Last season, after delivering a crushing hit to Stroud, Smith barked at the young QB, "This ain't college anymore!" - a message Stroud undoubtedly remembered as he struggled against the Ravens’ defensive schemes.
Roquan Smith loves playing rookie QBs
This time around, it’s Daniels who must navigate the Ravens’ complex coverages, led by Smith, who’s ready to make another rookie regret stepping into Baltimore. Smith acknowledged Daniels’ strong start to the season, but he didn’t mince words: “Got a lot of respect for this rookie, Jayden, and what he's done thus far this season. But, hey, it's the NFL. We're looking forward to it. At the end of the day, he's still a rookie.”
Roquan Smith and C.J. Stroud were going back and forth with the trash talk. 😂@insidetheNFL | @NFLFilms pic.twitter.com/0KPurKZlT4
— NFL (@NFL) January 23, 2024
The Ravens’ defense excels at disguising coverages and applying pressure from multiple angles, leaving inexperienced quarterbacks scrambling to diagnose plays on the fly. It’s a system designed to confuse, frustrate, and overwhelm players who haven’t seen much NFL action.
According to Smith, the Ravens offer looks “a lot of teams don’t really give throughout the league,” and that unpredictability has been a key to their dominance over rookies.
Daniels and the Washington Commanders face their toughest challenge yet
Daniels’ dual-threat ability mirrors that of Ravens’ star Lamar Jackson, which could give the Ravens a slight edge in preparing for him.
After all, Baltimore’s defense faces Jackson’s dynamic skill set every week in practice. Defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike highlighted this, noting that defending Jackson daily has better prepared the Ravens to face quarterbacks who thrive on both passing and rushing. But, as Smith wisely pointed out, “There’s only one Lamar.”
Despite the Ravens’ recent struggles in pass defense (they rank second-to-last in the league) this rookie matchup plays to their strengths. Daniels has been excellent at extending plays and making downfield throws, but he’s stepping into an atmosphere and a defense built to disrupt his rhythm.
Is Jayden Daniels ready to defy the odds?
Daniels deserves credit for his spectacular start, leading the Commanders to the top of the league in scoring (31 points per game) and ranking first in completion percentage (77.1%). But history suggests even the hottest rookies struggle in Baltimore. If the Ravens' defense plays to its potential, Daniels could be in for a harsh welcome to NFL reality.
"I thought that Jayden Daniels was gonna get exposed against the Ravens, but the more I watch the tape, I realize: they got a chance and he might be the best quarterback in football." – @Foxworth24
— The Domonique Foxworth Show (@FoxworthShow) October 11, 2024
"Week after week it feels like we are watching Jayden Daniels add to his… pic.twitter.com/N3RzD0lpAh
The last time a Washington rookie QB faced the Ravens, it was Robert Griffin III in 2012, and his day ended with an injury. Will Daniels fare any better?
With Roquan Smith and the Ravens’ defense hungry to bounce back after giving up 38 points to the Bengals last week, Daniels will need all the tools at his disposal to buck the trend. But as many rookies have learned before him, history is not on his side when stepping into M&T Bank Stadium.
Daniels has shown he’s capable of big moments, but Baltimore’s defense is no easy obstacle. If he can break through and deliver, it will solidify his place among the league’s rising stars. If not, the Ravens will once again prove why they own rookie quarterbacks.