The Baltimore Ravens improved to 4-2 on the year, beating the Washington Commanders 30-23.
The current winning streak now includes wins over both the AFC and NFC East Division leaders.
Baltimore will now travel to Tampa Bay, to face the NFC South leading Buccaneers on Monday Night Football October 21st.
The Bottomline
Baltimore had 484 yards of offense, and 28 first downs.
The Ravens dominated time of possession, holding the ball for 36 minutes.
Lamar Jackson is again playing at an MVP caliber level, and is total control of a Ravens offense which puts a lot of pressure on opposing teams.
Derrick Henry demands additional help in the box.
That leaves space for Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Mark Andrews, and Isaiah Likely to operate.
I didn’t think the Ravens were really on their game today, but I always felt they were in-control.
What Happened Today? What Are The Takeaways?
The Ravens first series ended with Jackson getting picked on a pass that Andrews couldn’t corral.
The Ravens second series ended with a FG, after a 3rd down fumble when the ball slipped out of Tyler Linderbaum’s hands.
Baltimore scored their first TD (a 9 play, 93 yard drive) with 7:55 left in the 1st half.
The Ravens would follow that TD, with scores on their next four possessions.
It was a competitive game, with the Ravens having trouble getting real separation or showing an ability to put away the Commanders.
Give some credit their to Jayden Daniels. It’s easy to see why the Rookie is creating such buzz.
Good athleticism, sharp decision making, accurate throwing. There is a lot to like there if you are a Commanders fan.
While giving Daniels and DC some credit, it also felt like the Ravens defense missed several opportunities to get off the field and give the ball back to Lamar.
Leading 10-3, the Ravens allowed a 8 play, 70 yard drive from DC, which tied the game.
That drive helped with the Commanders converting 3rd and 6 from midfield.
After going up 27-13, the Ravens allowed a 12 play, 70 yard drive.
DC scored on 4th and Goal from the 6, allowing DC to make it a one score game with 12:12 left in the 4th.
The teams would trade FG’s, with Baltimore taking over on offense up 30-23, with 2:48 left in the game.
Henry and Jackson were able to run out the clock and not give the ball back to Daniels.
Other Notes?
- Jackson was 20 of 26, for 323 yards, and a TD. Jackson averaged 12.4 yards per attempt.
- Henry had 24 carries for 132 yards, and 2 scores.
- Flowers and Bateman combined for 13 catches, and 203 yards.
- Andrews had 3 catches for 66 yards, and his 1st TD of the year. That’s 7 catches, and 121 yards for Andrews over the last two games.
- The Ravens were 6 of 10 on 3rd down.
- Washington came in with a very productive running game. The Commanders were limited to 52 yards on 18 carries. To be fair, they did play without Brian Robinson.
- After hitting his 56 yard attempt last week, Justin Tucker hit all 3 of his attempts today.
- 3 sacks for the Ravens today, with Travis Jones, and Yannik Ngakoue each having 1, and Michale Pierce and Nnamdi Madubuke splitting another.
- Just 3 penalties for the Ravens.
- After missing the last couple of weeks, LG Andrew Vorhees was active today.
Traveling To Tampa
The Buccaneers are 4-2, and leading the NFC South.
Their fourth win came today, as they put 51 points on the Saints in New Orleans.
The Bucs other three wins coming against @ Washington, Detroit, and against Philadelphia.
Nobody is looking at the Bucs as some Super Bowl contender, but they’re a good team.
In their four wins, they’re averaging 35.25 points per game.
In their two losses (Denver, and @ Atlanta), they’re averaging just 18.5.
Today vs. the Saints, Baker Mayfield had 4 more TD’s (though he did have 3 picks).
He now has 15 TD’s vs. 5 picks on the year. He’s averaging 248 yard per game, along with 31.5 attempts per game.
The Bucs rushed for 277 yards, and 2 scores today (35 attempts).
Sean Tucker (2nd year) had 14 carries for 136 yards.
Bucky Irving (Rookie) had 14 carries for 81 yards.
Chris Godwin had 11 receptions for 125 yards, and 2 scores.
He now has 43 catches on the year.
Likely future HOFer Mike Evans has yet to have a 100 yard receiving game this year, but does have 5 TD’s.
Evans was a 2nd team All-Pro last year.
Safety Antoine Winfield was a 1st team All-Pro last year.
OT Tristan Wirfs, and Mayfield were also Pro Bowlers.
5 sacks for the Bucs defense today vs. the Saints.
The Bucs entered today allowing 4.7 yards per carry.
They did hold Alvin Kamara to 40 yards on 13 carries today.
Entering today, the Bucs were 15th overall in DVOA, with their offense being ranked 13th overall, their defense 18th overall, and special teams 12th.
ESPN’s Match-Up Predictor is giving the Ravens a 60.2% chance of winning.
Owner
Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.