Commanders need to quickly learn lessons from loss to Ravens and prep for upcoming home game vs Panthers
Washington’s biggest issue was allowing an initially struggling Ravens offense to stay in the game. The Commanders held Baltimore to three points in the first quarter, forcing an interception and a three-and out on two of Baltimore’s first three drives. Then Washington gave up two in the first half after posting just three defensive pass interference penalties all season. Both bailed out Baltimore in key situations.
One came on an incomplete third-and-10 pass that reset downs and set up a Henry touchdown. The other came away from the passing direction, deep in Baltimore’s territory, the play after Ravens offensive lineman Roger Rosengarten pushed them even deeper with a false start. Both drives resulted in Ravens touchdowns.
It was apparent that Washington wanted to slow down Henry. Though Washington maintained its nickel packages, safety Jeremy Chinn often moved into the box. That focus — and the lack of a consistent pass rush — opened up passing lanes for Ravens wide receivers against the Commanders’ primary defensive weakness.
Despite entering the “Battle of the Beltway” with a better record, the Commanders had yet to reach made-man territory like the proven Ravens. Baltimore then dominated in total yards (484 to 305), rush yards (176 to 52), first downs (28 to 18) and time of possession (36:08 to 23:52). Jackson has the experience and more playmakers around him.
Commanders’ blemishes are exposed in a 30-23 loss to the Ravens
Washington’s four-game winning streak comes to a close in Baltimore after it couldn’t generate enough defensive stops.
Jayden Daniels, the Commanders’ record-shattering rookie quarterback, couldn’t do enough to clean up the defense’s mess and stay upright behind his offensive line. He finished 24 for 35 with 269 passing yards, two touchdowns (both to wide receiver Terry McLaurin) and a 110.3 passer rating. He added a team-high 22 rushing yards — the Commanders were without running back Brian Robinson Jr. because of a knee injury, costing them in the red zone in particular — and took three sacks.
Washington’s rushing attack, which ranked second behind Baltimore after five games, mustered only 52 yards and 2.9 yards per carry. And the Commanders’ league-best third-down offense converted only 4 of 12 attempts.
The Ravens scored on five straight possessions ahead of their clock-killing final drive.
“It’s very promising that we were able to be in this type of game, but moving forward, it’s not going to get any easier,” Daniels said. “ … Losing sucks, but you’re moving on to the next.”
