3 things Ravens must do to avoid being exposed by surprising Commanders team
By Matt Sidney
As the Baltimore Ravens gear up for a crucial Week 6 matchup against the Washington Commanders, they’ll need to sharpen a few key areas. The Commanders, led by rookie quarterback standout Jayden Daniels, have been one of the NFL’s most surprising teams and are riding a strong momentum.
With Washington averaging 31 points per game, the Ravens' defense will face a significant challenge, especially given their recent struggles in pass defense.
Baltimore has had difficulty containing top-tier quarterbacks so far. After giving up 392 passing yards and five touchdowns to Joe Burrow last week, the secondary cannot afford another lapse. Washington’s offensive weapons, like wide receiver Terry McLaurin, will test a Ravens defense that ranks near the bottom of the league against the pass.
Jayden Daniels' poise and ability to stretch defenses with big plays through the air make this an especially dangerous game for Baltimore, which will need to lock down fundamentals to prevent another shootout.
The Ravens are still widely considered Super Bowl contenders, but this matchup presents one of their toughest tests so far. With both teams riding momentum, it’s clear the Ravens can’t rely solely on their explosive offense to carry the day. It’ll take a full-team effort to contain Washington and keep their aspirations intact.
How can the Ravens beat the Washington Commanders in Week 6?
3. Capitalize in the red zone
Scoring touchdowns in the red zone is crucial, and while it’s no surprise, some teams still struggle with it. The Ravens excel in this area, while the Commanders rank among the worst at defending red zone touchdowns.
Baltimore will need to reach the red zone to take advantage, but this season’s stats suggest they’ll have plenty of chances. Leading the NFL in total offense per game, they’ve hit their stride over the past three weeks.
2. Force the Washington Commanders to be one-dimensional
The 4-1 Washington Commanders are a strong football team, no surprise there. They’re dynamic both on the ground and through the air, but for the Ravens to win, they’ll need to shut down one aspect of that offense. Odds are, Baltimore will focus on neutralizing the Commanders’ rushing attack, which has been effective so far.
The Ravens’ defense has been vulnerable to the pass this season, with both Dak Prescott and Joe Burrow finding success through the air. However, this hasn’t come at the expense of winning. Despite giving up passing yards, Baltimore’s stout run defense has shut down opposing ground games, resulting in two key victories. The Ravens will likely aim to follow the same formula against Washington.
1. Run the heck out of the ball with Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh initially told the media that they didn’t plan on overworking Derrick Henry, stating that wasn’t why they brought him in. At the time, the Ravens were 0-2 and in real danger of missing the playoffs. However, in Week 3, Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Todd Monken shifted strategies, leaning heavily on Henry, and the team has been unstoppable ever since, steamrolling opponents week after week.
The Ravens have outgained their opponents on the ground by 754 yards this season, while the Commanders are giving up an average of 130 rushing yards per game. Baltimore will look to capitalize on Washington’s weak run defense by leaning heavily on Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson throughout the game.
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