NFL Game of the Week: Washington Commanders vs. Baltimore Ravens

At the beginning of any season in any sport, there will always be a few matchups every fan circles on their calendars as a must-watch.

Some big games are obvious from the start, but some reveal themselves after the season gets going. The Ravens hosting the Commanders this week happens to be one of those games that we didn’t see at first.

Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels has seemingly skipped any transitional learning stages in his first year in the league and has jumped right into stardom.

For a team that has been in dire need of a franchise quarterback, the Commanders will feel they have one with Daniels.

Washington comes into this game with a 4-1 record after defeating a well-respected Cleveland Browns defense last weekend. Baltimore on the other hand has bounced to a 3-2 record after taking down Cincinnati in an instant classic.

The Ravens started the season off with an 0-2 wobble, but have found their footing and are poised to reach the .500 mark again.

Reigning MVP Lamar Jackson is coming off a performance last week that saw him throw for four touchdowns and over three hundred yards.

Daniels only threw for 238 yards, one touchdown and one interception, but his team still recorded 34 points.

Some players walk so others can run. When Lamar Jackson first came into the NFL, his playstyle took lots of fans by the eye.

It was different, as not too many quarterbacks have ever been as elite a runner as Jackson. Seven years later, many others have followed in Jackson’s footsteps.

Jayden Daniels seems to be one of those players. Like Jackson, Daniels has already rushed for 300 yards, displaying his elite rushing abilities.

Of course, the quarterbacks aren’t the only thing to look at in this matchup. Both teams have other skill position players who have been in good form.

Wide receiver Terry McLaurin is coming off a game in which he recorded triple-digit yards for Washington. Baltimore’s Derrick Henry on the other hand has scored a touchdown in every game so far.

The defenses will also be crucial, considering both teams’ latest performance on that side of the ball.

Washington’s defense held the Browns to a minimal 212 yards of offense last week while Baltimore allowed the Bengals to record over 400 yards.

While there is quite a discrepancy between these two stats, the Browns offense has been stagnant all year, and the Bengals have one of the most talented groups in the league.

With that being said, it is difficult to say either team will be much better than the other defensively. The Commanders will be looking to emulate last week’s performance while the Ravens will seek to improve.

Sunday’s matchup will be the first time these two teams have met since 2020. While Baltimore won that game 31-17, both squads’ rosters have changed plenty since then.

The Ravens open as the favorites by about a touchdown as they will be defending home field.

All in all, a win for the Ravens would help Baltimore to reset and start fresh back at .500. Washington on the other hand could establish themselves as a true threat moving forward if they can come away victorious.

Alex Harkins is a second-year student majoring in broadcast journalism, to contact him, email arh6278@psu.edu.