Will this be a shootout like both teams had with the Bengals?
It’s week 6 of the NFL season and the 4-1 Washington Commanders will be facing a 3-2 Ravens team on the road at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD on Sunday at 1:00 pm EDT. The Ravens had a rocky start to the season, with losses to the Chiefs and Raiders, but turned things around with a narrow win over the Cowboys, a blowout win over the Bills, and a narrow overtime win over their division-rival Bengals.
On offense, this is the Ravens’ second year with OC Todd Monken, formerly of the Georgia Bulldogs and Cleveland Browns before that. Monken’s scheme is actually quite similar to what the Commanders run, with frequent use of 3 WR sets to spread the defense horizontally, a quick-rhythm, RPO-based passing game, and a downhill running attack with run-heavy playcalling (the Ravens have the 3rd highest rush rate in the NFL). The Ravens’ biggest offensive addition in the offseason was RB Derrick Henry, a bruising downhill runner who (at 247 lbs) weighs as much as a linebacker and is famed for wearing down defenses over the course of a game. Because Henry functions best with a full head of steam, the Ravens have transformed from a primarily shotgun-based offense to using more pistol formation to allow Henry to build up speed before taking the ball.
On defense, the Ravens lost DC Mike Macdonald, who was hired as the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks in the offseason. New DC Zach Orr was the Ravens’ inside linebacker coach last year and an All Pro linebacker as a player for the Ravens in years past, so he has a long tradition with the team. Although the Ravens are running mostly the same defense as last year, they have taken a step back. The Ravens have a pass-funnel defense, allowing the fewest rushing yards in the NFL so far, but allowing the most passing yards.
I asked Kyle Phoenix of Baltimore Beatdown five questions to better understand the state of the Ravens and what to look for in this game.
1) The Ravens defense was humming last year under the leadership of DC Mike Macdonald, who left in the offseason to coach the Seahawks. What has the loss of Macdonald meant to the Ravens and how is the defense taking shape differently under new DC Zach Orr?
I don’t think it’s solely the loss of Macdonald that is impacting the Ravens’ defense so significantly. I believe the greater loss was defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson. Everywhere Wilson has gone, he’s turned good talent to great and great talent into some of the best defensive backs in the NFL. Prior to helping the Ravens’ defense, Wilson was with the Eagles and they were the No. 1 pass defense and third in quarterback rating. He turned James Bradberry and Darius Slay into stars. When he was with the Jets, he helped develop the likes of Jamal Adams and Marcus May, who together earned three Pro Bowls and a first team All-Pro.
Yong Kim / Philadelphia Inquirer
It’s no coincidence that the Tennessee Titans became the No. 1 pass defense this season with an average of 124.0 passing yards after he became their defensive coordinator. That, to me, is why the Ravens are struggling defensively. Orr has called good game plans but the back-end of the defense hasn’t been executing the way they were when Wilson was here.
2) How have the Ravens adapted their offense to feature Derrick Henry and how would you describe the shape of the offense now?
Part of what I think the issue was in the early weeks of the season was that the Ravens offensive line could not execute to give space for Henry or time for Jackson. In Week 1, they were mauled by the Chiefs’ defensive line — namely Chris Jones. In Week 2, it was edge rusher Maxx Crosby. But the Ravens have a more solidified offensive line as they built cohesion and improved as both players and a group.
The offense has adapted to feature Henry, though. They are finding out more of his skillset and how he can complement Jackson and vice-versa. The two can build off one another. And they aren’t afraid to keep giving him well-earned carries when they may not want to because of his ability to just bust through tackles that nearly any other player in the NFL simply can’t do.
Andrew Dieb / Imagn Images
They’re using more under center action. They’re involving him in stretch runs, where he has the speed to get outside and combine that with his power to get after smaller defenders instead of going at the teeth of a defense in the trenches. Combine that with effective play-action with Jackson, who thrives in that field and a tight end unit that has three starter-worthy players, and it all synergizes.
3) Who do you think deserves more credit for the repeated success of the Ravens: John Harbaugh for good coaching and leadership or Eric DeCosta/Ozzie Newsome for building the team?
I hate to do this but it’s “a little of both.” Just about any time it’s a “this or that” question in football, it’s both. One cannot be without the other, though, most Ravens fans want to solely credit DeCosta and Jackson, rather than give anything to Harbaugh for what he brings.
DeCosta — with Newsome’s help — has delivered a strong, Super Bowl contending roster for multiple years now. They built around Jackson to better develop him. They gave him structure to work and grow into. But to have the coaching wisdom to know the limitations of Jackson — who most don’t see having a limit, but there is — is credit to Harbaugh. Jackson under different leadership may have not become what he is today. It’s bizarre to say, but I think it’s true. I don’t imagine him finding such success had he been drafted to the Cleveland Browns, New York Jets or even the Buffalo Bills back in 2018. The Ravens knew what they needed to do.
The Ravens are winning and have a successful franchise because of their leadership from the top down. A great owner, a wise front office and a leader at head coach that helps build successful game plans with the talent they have to execute.
4) Who is one Ravens player on offense and one player on defense that Washington fans probably don’t know much about, but should?
Offensively, I’d say Rashod Bateman. Strange to highlight a former first-round wide receiver, yet he’s a player that has a hefty amount of potential despite the production not being there. However, he’s still showing his effectiveness.
From PFF: “Rashod Bateman has created separation on a league-high 72.73% of snaps against press coverage. The next-closest receiver is at 61.54% after five weeks.”
Bateman had 8 targets Sunday. That’s progress. Focus should be on getting him even more involved. https://t.co/lMqlLebWnr
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) October 9, 2024
Bateman is an effective receiver but his connection with Jackson is lackluster. Still, we’re seemingly beginning to see the two come together. If that’s the case, Bateman could become a more highlighted playmaker in the season to come.
Defensively, I’ll say Travis Jones. There are a lot of big names in this matchup, but Jones has been this season’s breakout player. He’s becoming the next hulking defensive tackle for the Ravens that can impact a game in stopping the run and generating a pass rush as an interior rusher. There are only so many players you can double team with a defensive line featuring Nnamdi Madubuike, Kyle Van Noy and Odafe Oweh. Jones is capitalizing on the single-blocking sets and causing mayhem.
5) How should Washington go about game planning this matchup on both sides of the ball?
Against the Ravens’ offense, the Commanders will have to stack the box and hope to stop Henry and Jackson. Attackthe right side of the offensive line, which is weaker, and hope they can overwhelm Daniel Faalele and rookie right tackle Roger Rosengarten. The Commanders will need Bobby Wagner to be on his A-game as he’ll be responsible both to stop Henry but also ensure the tight end unit doesn’t crack open the middle of the field with Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely and now Charlie Kolar, too.
Against the Ravens’ defense, throwing the ball has been the most effective strategy. The middle of the field has been open as Roquan Smith and first-year starter Trenton Simpson have only been adequate in defending the pass. This, combined with some miscommunications in the secondary have led to allowing the most chunk plays of any passing defense. It’s strange to say, “go attack Marcus Williams, Kyle Hamilton, Brandon Stephens and Roquan Smith,” but they have just not had the same impact as last season.
Bonus – You alluded to Lamar Jackson’s limitations, what would you say those limitations are?
Early in Jackson’s career, Jackson needed development. Yes, he was already a good passer. Yes, he was already shaping up to be the best rushing quarterback in NFL history. But he still needed refinement to be an NFL passing quarterback. The gap is astronomical, as we all know.
The Ravens built a system to allow him to grow. It’s no surprise they brought in Greg Roman to be their offensive coordinator and have a rushing attack for him to lean on while complementing his passing. They drafted two big tight ends to give him targets to lean on in first-round pick Hayden Hurst and third-round pick Mark Andrews in that draft class. They loaded up defensively, too. So, they put all their efforts into building a team around him.
Now, some will point to not giving him a superstar No. 1 wide receiver, but that wasn’t necessarily going to give them the best success rate when they’re playing a run-heavy, play-action offense and supplementing it with a defense who can stop opposing teams, force field goals and/or turnovers.
But if we’re talking now, I don’t know if Jackson has limitations. You can point to his deep-ball consistency as his lone “weakness,” really. But that’s about it.
A companion article to this with my answers to Kyle’s questions can be found here.
Thanks again to Kyle Phoenix for taking time out of his day to answer our questions about the Ravens.