Baltimore Ravens

Ravens Vs. Redskins: Scouting Report & Game Plan

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 8:40 p.m. ET

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Oct 2, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) sits on the field after being sacked as Cleveland Browns linebacker Corey Lemonier (52) celebrates in the fourth quarter at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 31-20. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

When the Redskins come to Baltimore to play the Ravens, the battle of the beltway will take center stage. Before the kickoff, let’s make sure we know how the Ravens have to attack their opponent:

Kirk Cousins is feeling it right now and the Redskins have the seventh best passing attack in the NFL. Cousins is putting up 380 yards per game. They can run the football, their top two running backs are averaging over four yards per carry. Offensively the Redskins are playing really good football. It seems like he’s either on fire or he’s completely cold. The Ravens main objective defensively must be never letting Cousins find his rhythm.

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The Redskins have three big play-makers in the passing game. First they have the big bodied tight end, Jordan Reed. Reed is going to be a problem for the Ravens, who have always had trouble against great tight ends. This 6’2″ 245 pound beast of a receiving threat has 25 receptions for 263 yards and 2 touchdowns.

The second Redskins play-maker is DeSean Jackson. Jackson is one of the fastest receivers in the NFL. He has 43 career touchdowns and many of them have been by burning past defensive backs down the field. Jackson has 15 receptions for 243 yards and a touchdown this season. His lone touchdown came when the Redskins beat the Giants 29-27. Jackson flew down the field and got behind the deep safety. When you have speed like that, the defense has to respect it.

Finally, the Redskins lean on Jamison Crowder. The former Duke Blue Devil is a smaller weapon but he’s like Jay Gruden’s little spark plug. Crowder scored a 55 yard touchdown on a screen pass. It brought to mind the Ravens problems defending Corey Coleman, of the Cleveland Browns, on a similar play. When we look at this match up we know that the Ravens defense will have to shine for the Ravens to get a win. Let’s first look at the Ravens game plan in this one.

Oct 2, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) is sacked by Cleveland Browns linebacker Cam Johnson (57) during the second half at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 31-20. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Game Plan:

The Ravens have to limit the big plays in this game. They may want to use their athletic linebackers in pass coverage. C.J. Mosley has two interceptions this season and Zach Orr had a big interception himself. When the Redskins opened the Monday Night Football schedule against the Pittsburgh Steelers, I noticed something big. Cousins will force throws, especially down the middle of the field. Steelers linebacker, Ryan Shazier, had a huge interception when Cousins tried to hit Reed in the middle of the field. It wasn’t the only throw that Cousins forced in that game either.

Cousins has thrown four interceptions this season and he has been sacked seven times. Cousins is a gunslinger. He believes he can throw into each and every window. This game could quite possibly be decided by the turnover battle. Cousins is playing well, but his biggest mistakes come from taking chances he shouldn’t. Dean Pees needs to bait Cousins into throwing interceptions.

The Ravens need to use Lardarius Webb and Eric Weddle to prevent big plays down the field. When Jay Gruden was the offensive coordinator of the Bengals, he made the Ravens pay with big throws down the field. It seems highly likely that we’ll see a bunch of deep shots down the field.

When the Redskins are in the red zone, Dean Pees has to bracket Reed. This means man coverage and help from the strong safety. Reed had two touchdowns against the Browns. On the first, he lined up on the outside as a wide receiver. Reed ran a post and the safety could not get over in time after the corner was no match for the tight end. On the second, Cousins extended the play and Reed wiggled his way open in the back of the end zone.

Oct 2, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Terrance West (28) is congratulated by running back Javorius Allen (37) after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Oakland Raiders at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive Game Plan: 

Defensively the Redskins have some good players. Ryan Kerrigan is the veteran outside linebacker that leads the defense. Kerrigan has 1.5 sacks this season and is always a big factor. At the defensive end position, Trent Murphy has played incredible football. The stout Stanford standout has four sacks this season and makes running the football to his side difficult. When Murphy was a draft prospect in 2014, he was one of my favorite players.

When this game starts, look for the running game to get going. If this happens the Ravens will set up big plays in the passing game for Flacco. When you look at the momentum that Terrance West started to get last week, you had to be encouraged. When you think of the impact that Kenneth Dixon can make on this offense, you must be excited. It seems like the running backs are the best chance for the Ravens to get the offense going.

I also think Steve Smith Sr. needs to bring his fiercest attitude (not that this was in question). You can get in Josh Norman’s head. No matter who goes against Norman (who doesn’t always shadow the best receiver) they have to bait Norman.

When the Ravens play the Redskins, they have to be ready for a tough fight. It seems like the biggest concern for the Ravens has to be not beating themselves. When you make mistakes it makes winning harder than it has to be. First and foremost the Ravens have to have a sharper performance. They need a more complete performance as well. Secondly, the Ravens must have a great plan of attack. Finally they need to execute.

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