Baltimore Ravens

Previewing The Washington Redskins vs. Baltimore Ravens In NFL Week 5

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 12:26 p.m. ET

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Aug 31, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden watches his team during the second quarter of a football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Redskins need to perform well in Sunday’s matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. Otherwise, they will fall below .500 again.

The Washington Redskins are heading into a Week 5 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens with high hopes. The team has won their past two games, and they are looking to notch a winning record for the first time of the 2016 season. Their players finally seem to be hitting their stride, and the game against Baltimore will be a test for the team.

The Ravens come into the matchup with a deceiving 3-1 record. The team has been involved in numerous close affairs, and they easily could sport a 1-3 record coming into the game. They simply are not as talented as their record says they are.

Still, the Ravens will be a tough matchup for the Redskins. This will be a back and forth game that could end up being crucial to the future success of each team.

Oct 2, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) throws the ball as Cleveland Browns linebacker Cam Johnson (57) chases in the third quarter at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 31-20. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Redskins Pass Game vs. Ravens Defense

Kirk Cousins is looking more and more like the solid starter we saw last season with each passing week. Against the Browns, Cousins was an efficient 21-of-27 with three touchdown passes. He made minimal mistakes, and helped to manage the Redskins to a win. It was an impressive showing for the starter. He should build on it against the Ravens’ secondary.

The Ravens, simply put, do not have a very strong secondary. Jimmy Smith is a decent No. 1 corner, but the team does not have a reliable No. 2 guy across from him. Shareece Wright and Jerraud Powers are both mediocre options at best, and neither should be playing in a significant role. As a result, the Redskins can exploit the two in matchups that favor them. This will be especially easy given the state of their receiving corps.

In all likelihood, Smith will lineup against DeSean Jackson for most of the day. Even if Jackson is shut down, Pierre Garcon, Jamison Crowder, and Jordan Reed should be able to find open space against the Ravens. Cousins will definitely be able to find his men, and he will be able to pick apart the Ravens’ defense.

Of course, the safety play could be a bit more positive for the Ravens. Eric Weddle and Lardarius Webb are both veterans, so they could help in coverage a bit. However, neither is spectacular at this point in their careers, so the team needs to be careful to not ask too much of them.

Oct 2, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins running back Matt Jones (31) carries the ball as Cleveland Browns defensive back Briean Boddy-Calhoun (20) defends during the second half at FedEx Field. Washington Redskins wins 31 – 20. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Redskins Run Game vs. Ravens Defense

While the secondary may be a bit of a weakness for the Ravens, their front seven is still relatively strong. Timmy Jerningan and Brandon Williams are two very strong players on the defensive line, and they could give Matt Jones fits during the game. The team also has stellar linebacker C.J. Mosley. He will definitely be able to rack up some tackles during the game.

With all of that said, this battle could end up being a bit more even than initially thought. Jones has really improved his running over the past two weeks, and his physical style may be a good matchup against the Ravens defense. He will need to be able to break many tackles against the front seven, but if he can break into the secondary he could have a solid game against the Ravens.

This matchup will be crucial to deciding a winner in this game. If the Ravens can bottle up Jones, then the Redskins offense will once again become one dimensional. If not, then the Redskins will have a balanced offense and they could put up a lot of points against the Ravens.

Oct 2, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith (89) is defended after a catch by Oakland Raiders safety Reggie Nelson (27) at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens Pass Game vs. Redskins Defense

Joe Flacco is a decent NFL quarterback, but the veteran may struggle against the Redskins defense on Sunday. The team has a relatively good secondary, and while they have not been great this season, they should have a chance to shut down the Ravens.

The Ravens do not have a very strong receiving corps. Steve Smith still appears to be a solid receiver, but the 38-year-old will likely be matched up against Josh Norman in this game. That will be a disastrous battle for Smith, and there is a good chance that he will get shut down during the game. He simply does not have what it takes to beat elite corners anymore.

That said, Mike Wallace will have to pick up the slack as a result. Wallace is a mediocre speed threat at this point in his career. He will have a good matchup with whoever the Redskins No. 2 cornerback is, injuries are making that hard to predict right now, but he still may not do well. Aside from those two, the Ravens do not have much. Kamar Aiken and Breshad Perriman could try to make noise, but they are frankly not very good.

If anyone might beat the Redskins pass defense, it is tight end Dennis Pitta. Pitta is reverting back to his pre-injury form, and he may get some good matchups against the Redskins. If he is covered by Su’a Cravens, he could have issues. However, if he can escape from the rookie, he may be able to catch five or more passes. Flacco should look his way early and often to back the Redskins secondary off of the receivers. This is definitely an uphill battle for the Ravens.

Oct 2, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Terrance West (28) runs with the ball in the second quarter against the Oakland Raiders at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens Run Game vs. Redskins Defense

The Ravens approach to the running game is getting clearer by the week. The team parted ways with Justin Forsett this past week, so they now have three running backs. Terrance West figures to carry the load for the team, while rookie Kenneth Dixon could end up making an impact for the team as well.

The two players should have some serious success against the Redskins on Sunday. The Redskins run defense is not very good. In fact, that is an understatement. The Redskins rank 30th in terms of rush defense in the NFL, allowing an average of 133 yards per game. They lack a true nose tackle and they have been unable to stop runners early. They have given up a lot of yards after contact as well.

This matchup is definitely going to be a serious advantage for the Ravens. They have some young talent at the running back position, and the matchup against the Redskins will give them a chance to get some good reps in. At the end of the day, it would not be a surprise to see the Ravens utilize a ground heavy plan to really wear out the Redskins defense.

Oct 2, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh looks on in the third quarter against the Oakland Raiders at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Score Prediction

I think that this is going to be a tightly contested game. Both teams have started the season similarly in terms of performance, so it is tough to judge who the better team is.

That said, I think that the Ravens still hold a slight advantage in this contest. The team is going to be able to run wild over the Redskins. They have talented, young backs who should be relatively solid as the season goes on. This could be one of their early breakouts, and I expect that they will be able to carry the team’s offense.

The Redskins will definitely keep this one close, but at the end of the day the Ravens will come out on top. It might even end up being on a game deciding field goal from Justin Tucker.

Final: Ravens 27, Redskins 24