The lead-up to Sunday’s matchup with the Commanders was an interesting one. With Jayden Daniels’ emergence helping Washington to a 4-1 start, the profile of the game was elevated as much as I can remember it being for a Ravens/Washington game, and it made for an interesting discussion about what some consider to be a friendly rivalry between the two teams. As always, there were the outliers who lived to do nothing but talk trash, but in large part, the local media around both teams, and even conversations between the fans, showed a ton of mutual respect.
Tall, handsome PFT kept his word AND donated $500 to @StJude! Your the best, @PFTCommenter! https://t.co/15hhpFCKxo pic.twitter.com/w2Q21hUJnw
— Jimmy’s Famous Seafood (@JimmysSeafood) October 13, 2024
As some of you know, I live in Virginia, so despite only being about an hour from Baltimore (as traffic allows), I am firmly in Commander territory. As a result, I’m in the catchment area for a lot of the radio and TV coverage for Washington, and I’ve been fortunate enough to get to know a lot of the trustworthy media folks down here that know their stuff. With that in mind, I thought it would be interesting to look at the outsider’s perspective of what they saw from the Ravens on Sunday.
Derrick Henry might grind this thing to a halt. Commanders down 2 DLinemen
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) October 13, 2024
Derrick Henry may have just put this game away. 27-yard rumble at the two minute warning. Workman’s 22-carry, 127-yard day for the big fella. pic.twitter.com/t9xy1nHQLy
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) October 13, 2024
Yes, when Derrick Henry is in a good offense, it is just as exhausting to play against him as we all remember. The offense that we all envisioned when Henry was signed has taken shape, and for many, I think it’s even surpassed what we were hoping for. Henry has always been a game-breaking player, but he has such an innate ability to wear teams down as the game progresses, and Washington felt it in full force on Sunday.
It goes beyond the idea that a steady run game allows the Ravens to control the pace of the game. As Brian Baldinger breaks down, the sheer punishing power of the Ravens backfield tires defenses out enough that tackling becomes more difficult as the game progresses.
.@Ravens @KingHenry_2 does anyone really wanna tackle the King late in the 4th Q when they line up in I-Formation with @PRic508 leading the way. A 550 lb backfield. Say it aint so #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/1OiY0mnZVV
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) October 14, 2024
Derrick Henry breakdown by quarter.
He just wears you down. Till there's nothing left of you.#RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/7xfnGFLZ6t
— Cole Jackson (@ColeJacksonFB) October 14, 2024
On the other side of the ball, it became apparent that the attrition of the O-line was a big factor, but also that the Ravens were able to check a big box defensively: bringing pressure.
lack of run game really starting to show for Washington. This OLine getting tired, going backwards, getting grabby
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) October 13, 2024
Commanders playing from behind and in obvious passing situation and OLINE is struggling a bit.
They've avoided this situation for a month. Back-to-back sack and hold. Ravens starting to tee off and get home against Daniels.
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) October 13, 2024
Seeing Yannick Ngakoue and Travis Jones rewarded for their persistence was a thing of beauty. Washington’s O-line did a decent job of keeping pressure from the EDGEs toward the outside, but the interior pass rush was one of the biggest reasons the defense was so impactful last year, and it’s starting to show up again in force. Not only were the defensive tackles able to work up the middle and bring solid pressure, but constantly being able to move the pile backwards meant that Washington’s run game wasn’t much of a factor all afternoon. Being without Brian Robinson certainly didn’t help their cause, but the Commanders felt the heat, and it became one of the key factors in the outcome of the game.
Of course, it wasn’t all good news for the Ravens from the outside looking in. Jayden Daniels did find room to work throughout the game, including a pair of touchdowns to Terry McLaurin. McLaurin is undoubtedly their strongest offensive weapon, and I think everyone was surprised to see how much room he had at times.
I cannot believe the Ravens played man there. Why on earth would you give Daniels a chance to pick his matchup on 4th down?
— Craig Hoffman (@CraigHoffman) October 13, 2024
JAYDEN TO TERRY AGAIN.
This time on 4th and Goal!
📺: #WASvsBAL on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/jh9GNWMthr— NFL (@NFL) October 13, 2024
Listen to Terry McLaurin narrate his second TD vs Baltimore: pic.twitter.com/kqQzQtmsdM
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) October 14, 2024
The secondary still has work to do. I don’t want to pick on Brandon Stephens, but as you see on the broadcast feed, the play design from the defense is predictable given the circumstances. Kyle Hamilton shows that he’s bringing pressure off the edge, leaving Stephens 1-on-1 with McLaurin. It’s a perfect throw from Daniels to make the play, but schematically, you don’t like seeing Baltimore give those up. Coach Harbaugh acknowledged that the coverage calls haven’t done Stephens any favors in some of these situations, but that they have faith in him to learn from tough games.
When asked about Brandon Stephens giving up yards, John Harbaugh said Ravens probably play single-high man coverage more than most teams, which leaves their CBs on an island.
"We don't protect our corners at all costs. And [opponents] have put great WRs on Brandon and thrown…
— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) October 14, 2024
Even without the tint of the purple-colored glasses watching this game, the team product has shown that the Ravens are playing at a high level. These past few games have been more like what was expected at the outset of the season, and a 4-2 start with a share of the division lead is a decent spot to be in after six weeks. With an extra day of rest before a Monday Night Football showdown against the Bucs, hopefully we’ll continue to see the best of what the Ravens have to offer.
2 Responses
“As always, there were the outliers who lived to do nothing but talk trash, but in large part, the local media around both teams, and even conversations between the fans, showed a ton of mutual respect.”
So in other words we’re just bad people because we don’t feel the same way you do? So who are you anyways? Why do you think you’re the authority on who can say what? In the constitution, we all have the same right to the pursuit of happiness as everyone else. So if folks want to talk trash, what business is it of yours? So who died and gave you the authority to decide who can say what? I’m a combat vet, served in 2 wars. How many days did you spend serving this country Kevin? And now you think you have the right govern what people can and cannot say?
At no point did I ever say people didn’t have the right to say what they want. People can talk trash, but at the end of the day, is it constructive? Having an opinion is great; having an informed opinion is better.