Baltimore Ravens

NFL Week Five Preview: Washington Redskins vs. Baltimore Ravens

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Aug 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson (11) prepares for a game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

An out-of-conference matchup between two teams that reside in the same region, here is the preview of the 2-2 Washington Redskins taking on the 3-1 Baltimore Ravens in M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.

Both the Redskins and the Ravens dwell in one of the most populated regions in the United States. Only 40 miles separate the two teams that leaves most football fans in the DMV area choosing sides. Baltimore has won three of the five all-time meetings between the two franchises, with the latest matchup being the exact game that jumpstarted Robert Griffin III’s lengthy injury history in the NFL.

Today however is a new day. A Ravens team that was depleted by injuries in 2015 got off to a 3-0 start to this season before suffering a tough home loss to the Oakland Raiders last week. In D.C., the Redskins are on a two-game win streak with eyes on making things right after an 0-2 start. Let’s breakdown the interesting matchup.

Oct 2, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins running back Matt Jones (31) celebrates with Redskins tight end Jordan Reed (86) after scoring a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns in the fourth quarter at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 31-20. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Why Washington Will Win

Losses to Pittsburgh and Dallas to kick off the season was not the ideal start that head coach Jay Gruden and the Redskins were looking for. A key win over rival New York Giants was powered by quarterback Kirk Cousins and his 296 yards and two touchdowns. Quietly, the offense is seventh-best in the league thanks to Cousins and his 1,172 yards, six touchdowns, along with four interceptions. His quartet of receivers have made life easier for him. Receiver Desean Jackson averages 16.3 yards per catch with 15 receptions for 243 yards and a touchdown. Tight end Jordan Reed leads the team in catches (25) and yards (263) while tying of the team-lead (2) in touchdowns with receiver Jamison Crowder (18/196/2). Wily veteran wide-out Pierre Garcon has also contributed (17/170/0). The run game hasn’t provided much spark behind starter Matt Jones (267 yards, 2 TDs) but the offense totaled 145 yards on the ground this past week against Cleveland.

Oct 2, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden looks on from the sidelines against the Cleveland Browns in the fourth quarter at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 31-20. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Giving up 413.5 yards per game, the defense doesn’t have a ton to be positive about but what has aided the defense in their two wins was turnovers. The defense have racked up six turnovers the past two weeks after only accumulating two combined turnovers in their first two games. Outside linebacker Trent Murphy leads the team in sacks with four to go along with his two forced fumbles. Linebackers Will Compton and Mason Foster are first and second respectively in tackles with 37 & 34. Free agent addition Josh Norman has played solid for the most part this season but a unit that is decimated by injuries is forced to depend on Norman as if he’s Superman.

Sep 11, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Mike Wallace (17) celebrates after making a first down during the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Why Baltimore Will Win

Quietly, the Ravens have fielded the best defense in the league arguably so far with a unit that is ranked first overall in total defense. In three of their four games played this season, the defense has allowed 261 yards or less, including 160 yards in a week one victory over Buffalo. Outside linebacker Terrell Suggs and lineman Timmy Jernigan are both tied for three sacks while linebacker C.J. Mosley leads the team in interceptions with two to go along with three pass deflections and 23 total tackles. The defense is also seventh in scoring defense and first in the NFL in first downs allowed per game while also allowing just 80 rushing yards a game, good for fifth in the NFL.

For years, the defense has been the calling card in Baltimore and things don’t seem any different.

The offense hasn’t been a force this season and the one element that truly needs a spark is the run game. The running back position was incredibly deep during the preseason but now just relies on former Cleveland Browns back Terrance West. His 113 yards and a touchdown was a positive sign against Oakland and is the most reliable for the Ravens at the moment. Quarterback Joe Flacco is averaging 268 passing yards per game while completing 63.5% of his passes. After playing in just seven games the past two seasons, tight end Dennis Pitta has already collected 21 catches and deep threat receiver Mike Wallace leads the team in touchdown receptions with three while adding 14 catches for 210 yards.

Oct 2, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs (55) gets introduced prior to the game against the Oakland Raiders at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Prediction

Two teams in the same proximity with just 40 miles separating, the two also have stumbled across winning ways recently. While the Redskins have done it with offense, the Ravens have garnered their win totals with a stingy defense. The biggest matchup in this contest is the Washington offense against the Ravens defense. A Washington offense that needs to get the run game off the ground may not find a ton of room against Ravens defense.

Expect for Gruden and the offense to utilize the pass game to attempt to open up the run. A tight end such as Reed is a difference maker and a deep threat such as Jackson can lead to a productive day for Cousins and the pass game.

Veteran receiver Steve Smith Sr. (24 catches, 281 yards, TD) will be vital as well for the Ravens but keep an eye on Wallace. With #2 corner Breshad Breeland injured for Washington, backup corner Greg Toler may see a ton of Wallace and that doesn’t necessarily well for the visiting team, as Toler is not known for his speed.

At this point, the Ravens defense is more trustworthy than the injury-riddled Washington defense. A lack of a run game for Washington will lead to Cousins dropping back a few times more than usual, which is music to the ears of a Ravens defense that has registered seven sacks, five interceptions, and held QBs to a 67.2 quarterback rating at home this season.

Prediction: Ravens, 24-20