Riding a three-game winning streak, the Ravens (3-2) host the Washington Commanders (4-1), who have won four straight games, in this "Battle of the Beltways."
Basics
Kickoff: Sunday, 1 p.m., M&T Bank Stadium
TV: CBS, WJZ Ch. 13 (Baltimore), WUSA Ch. 9 (Washington), and more. CBS crew Jim Nantz (play-by-play), Tony Romo (analyst), Tracy Wolfson (sideline)
Radio: WBAL (101.5 FM/1090 AM), 98 Rock (97.9 FM), SiriusXM Radio Ch. 85 or 225, ESPN Radio. Ravens crew: Gerry Sandusky (play-by-play), Rod Woodson (analyst). ESPN Radio: Steve Levy (play-by-play), Sal Paolantonio (analyst)
History
The Ravens have a 4-3 edge in the all-time series. This is Washington's first regular season visit to Baltimore since 2016.
The teams last met in 2020 when the Ravens won a 31-17 decision at Washington during the COVID-19 pandemic. Baltimore never trailed, taking a 14-0 lead in the second quarter on a 50-yard touchdown run by Lamar Jackson. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin was the main offensive threat for Washington with 10 catches for 118 yards.
Stakes
After an 0-2 start, the Ravens will keep at least a share of first place in the AFC North with a victory. Jackson has an opportunity to improve his near-perfect career record against the NFC as a starter (21-1). Washington can win five straight games for the first time since 2001 and would maintain sole possession of first place in the NFC East with a win.
Key Storylines
Can the Ravens maintain their mastery over rookie quarterbacks?
The Ravens are 18-2 at home against rookie quarterbacks under Head Coach John Harbaugh, including the postseason, and many of those games have not been close. However, Jayden Daniels is no ordinary rookie. Among starters who have played all five games, only Joe Burrow, Baker Mayfield, and Jackson have a higher quarterback rating than Daniels (106.3). He's not playing like a rookie or conducting himself like one, and Daniels' confidence has rubbed off on the entire organization. The Commanders have averaged 38 points in their last three games under new Offensive Coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, and Baltimore will need a strong defensive effort to cool off Washington's attack.
Will the Ravens' pass defense solve its issues?
Despite beating the Bengals, Week 5 wasn't good for Baltimore's pass defense, which ranks 31st in the league and surrendered five touchdown passes to Burrow. Rashee Rice, Davante Adams, and Ja'Marr Chase have all gone over 100 yards receiving against the Ravens. McLaurin is another big-time receiver who's coming off a 112-yard game against the Cleveland Browns. To keep McLlaurin in check, Baltimore's secondary will have to cover, tackle, and communicate better than it did in Cincinnati.
Does Washington have an answer for Derrick Henry?
Henry has averaged 147.3 rushing yards per game during the Ravens' three-game winning streak, compared to 65 yards when they started 0-2. While the passing attack also flourished against Cincinnati, Baltimore's league-leading rushing attack sets a strong foundation for the offense and can impose its will on opponents. Henry is running with force, and he's getting solid blocking from teammates looking to spring him. The Commanders are tied for second to last in the league in rushing yards allowed per carry (5.1 yards) and Henry is the best back they've faced all season.
Here are five matchups to keep an eye on in the 'Battle of the Beltways.'
S Kyle Hamilton vs. QB Jayden Daniels
Daniels is the clear frontrunner for Offensive Rookie of the Year, but he'll have to face one of the game's most versatile defensive players in Hamilton on Sunday. Baltimore's pass defense is ranked No. 31 in the NFL while Washington's offense is rolling, so this weekend will be a big opportunity for Hamilton and the defense to show its potential.
CB Marlon Humphrey vs. WR Terry McLaurin
Humphrey is coming off a game-changing interception in Cincinnati last week but has a tough test facing McLaurin this week. McLaurin has been one of the game's top wide receivers since he was drafted, but now he has a seemingly reliable quarterback to get him the ball. He's enjoyed a strong start to the season, and Sunday's matchup with Humphrey and the rest of the secondary should be a fun one.
WR Zay Flowers vs. CB Benjamin St-Juste
Flowers had his best game of the season last week, catching seven passes for 111 yards as the Ravens won a thriller. Baltimore's offense was run heavy to start the season, but the pass game broke out against the Bengals and now faces a solid pass defense. St-Juste should get some reps against Flowers, who will look to build on a strong Week 5.
ILB Roquan Smith vs. RB Brian Robinson
Washington has the second-ranked run offense behind the Ravens as Brian Robinson Jr. is off to the best season of his career. Baltimore has the NFL's No. 1 rush defense, giving up just 60.4 yards per game, so Sunday will be a big opportunity for both sides. Look for Smith and Robinson to have some heavy collisions at M&T Bank Stadium.
C Tyler Linderbaum vs. DT Jonathan Allen
Linderbaum has only given up two pressures this season, according to Pro Football Focus, while he has been an elite run blocker for Baltimore's dynamic ground attack. Allen is 18th in the NFL with 12 pressures, per PFF, and will get a ton of reps against Linderbaum. Keep an eye on the middle of the trenches Sunday.
Players to Watch
CB Brandon Stephens
Stephens has battled some of the NFL's best receivers this season, and he'll get another test dealing with McLaurin when they're matched up. Daniels is an excellent deep ball thrower and has not shied away from taking shots downfield.
LT Ronnie Stanley
Stanley is playing at a high level protecting the blind side for Jackson, who has only been sacked twice over the last three games. A strong performance from Stanley could set the table for another huge day for the rushing attack and Jackson.
ILB Roquan Smith
The Commanders lead the NFL with 13 rushing touchdowns and Daniels becomes more of a running threat when Washington reaches the red zone. Smith's presence as a sideline-to-sideline defender in the middle of the field will be important against Washington's versatile offense.
Step onto the field for Wednesday's practice as the Ravens get ready for the Commanders.
OLB Odafe Oweh
WR Zay Flowers
LS Nick Moore
RB Derrick Henry
QB Lamar Jackson
RB Justice Hill
CB T.J. Tampa
DE Brent Urban
RB Derrick Henry
QB Lamar Jackson
TE Mark Andrews
DT Travis Jones
TE Charlie Kolar
WR Dayton Wade
RB Chris Collier
FB Patrick Ricard
QB Lamar Jackson handing the ball to RB Derrick Henry.
OLB David Ojabo
RB Derrick Henry
C Nick Samac
CB Damarion "Pepe" Williams
QB Josh Johnson handing the ball to RB Justice Hill.
CB Damarion "Pepe" Williams covering WR Tylan Wallace.
S Kyle Hamilton
RB Derrick Henry
QB Lamar Jackson
TE Isaiah Likely
WR Zay Flowers
RB Derrick Henry
OLB Odafe Oweh
G Andrew Vorhees
WR Tylan Wallace
OLB Odafe Oweh
QB Lamar Jackson
TE Mark Andrews with CB Bump Cooper Jr. in coverage.
RB Derrick Henry
CB Bump Cooper Jr. (left) & QB Lamar Jackson (right)
DT Nnamdi Madubuike
CB Brandon Stephens defending a pass.
TE Mark Andrews
OL Patrick Mekari
WR Tylan Wallace with CB T.J. Tampa in coverage.
OLB Tavius Robinson
QB Lamar Jackson
TE Isaiah Likely with CB Bump Cooper Jr. in coverage.
G/T Daniel Faalele
TE Isaiah Likely (left) & CB Damarion "Pepe" Williams (right)
DE Yannick Ngakoue being blocked by T Corey Bullock.
QB Lamar Jackson
OLB Adisa Isaac
S Marcus Williams
QB Lamar Jackson
TE Isaiah Likely catching a pass with CB Damarion "Pepe" Williams in coverage.
S Kyle Hamilton
CB Nate Wiggins
Team huddle
Blocking drills
