A Battle of Lethal Dual-Threat Quarterbacks

Reigning MVP vs Reigning Heisman Winner

Sunday’s Week 6 matchup between the Ravens and the Commanders has all the makings of a classic. The top two rushing and scoring offenses in the league and the two electric stars under center. Lamar Jackson and Jayden Daniels prepare for their first head-to-head battle in the NFL. Daniels was the second overall pick in the draft this past offseason, following a breakout Senior year at LSU with 4,946 all-purpose yards and 50 total touchdowns, leading to a Heisman Trophy.

Through five games Daniels has looked the part of a franchise QB, something Washington has been searching for since the RG3 era. The young star has the Commanders sitting at 4-1 and atop the NFC East, a record almost no one saw coming. In those starts, Daniels has thrown for 1,135 yards, 4 TD, and an impressive completion percentage of 77.1%. He’s getting it done on the ground as well, showing his athleticism for 300 yards and four rushing TDs so far. The sensational play from Daniels thus far has given Commanders fans some hope, after what seems like a lifetime since something positive has come from that franchise. Week 6 brings a golden opportunity for Daniels and Washington, as they prepare for The Battle of the Beltway against a red-hot Ravens squad. A road win could make a true statement about the outlook of the Commanders’ season. A loss could leave people questioning how legit this roster is for a playoff run.

Jackson is making a true case for a third MVP award this season. Through five weeks he ranks 2nd in total yards(1,569), 4th in passing TDs (9), and 4th in passer rating(107.2). Lamar is coming off an electric performance in the Ravens’ 41-38 overtime win over the Bengals. Sunday was Lamar’s best game from the pocket this season, throwing for 348 yards and 4 TDs, to go along with some highlight reel plays. It was the Ravens’ third win in a row following a rough 0-2 start to the year. Following their underwhelming start, the Ravens entered what many believed to be a gauntlet with Dallas, Buffalo, and Cincinnati next in line. Jackson and the Ravens swept all three, dominating each game in a different aspect. The offense has truly become two-dimensional, wearing down defenses on the ground while not being afraid to take their shots in the passing game.

Staying true to their identity is crucial for the Ravens this week as they prepare for what could become another shootout.

Jackson’s Path to Victory

Jackson proved last week his ability to be a true threat from the pocket when needed. Cincinnati did enough to slow down the deadly Ravens run game early, forcing Baltimore to throw the ball. The run game will play a large factor in the Ravens success this coming Sunday. Averaging 211.2 YPG, Baltimore enters Week 6 as the league’s top rushing team. Finding space and hitting open holes will be a point of emphasis for the Ravens as the Commanders have given up the 2nd most yards before contact(2.1) in the NFL this season. Derrick Henry and Jackson’s ability to make defenders miss could spell real trouble for Washington this week. On 53 carries so far this year, Jackson leads all quarterbacks in missed tackles forced (9) to go along with his 363 yards on the ground and his second-highest career yards per carry (6.8). His decision to cut weight this offseason has made a real difference on the field in his ability to escape and extend plays. I’m not saying Lamar will leave the field with under 200 passing yards Sunday, but Todd Monken will need to dig in his bag of tricks and get Jackson going on the ground.

Containing Daniels’ Ability to Extend the Play

There’s a reason Daniels has received the love and hype that’s come his way through five weeks. The former LSU star has turned around a franchise many lost hope for. Atop the NFC East and sitting as the 2nd seed in the NFC, Daniels has Washington more than exceeding expectations in just his first year. The Commanders star has drawn comparisons to Jackson due to his dual-threat ability. Neither quarterback agreed when asked, but the similarities are there when you turn on the tape.

Daniels has been more than efficient at extending the play this season when things break down around him. The rookie QB is 7-for-8 with 113 passing yards and 244 rushing yards on scrambles this season, the most in the league. Baltimore’s defense has only seen three scramble runs this year, a potential target for the Commanders offense. Washington ranks second in rushing yards this season but will have a tough matchup against the Ravens run defense. Baltimore has made it a point of emphasis to stop the run this season, stacking the box with more defenders than blockers on a league-high 61% according to Next Gen Stats. It’ll have to be a balance however, as Daniels has shown his ability to connect on the deep ball. It’s not often, but on passes of 10+ yards, Daniels has hit for 518 yards and 3 TDs on a 63% completion rate. The Ravens pass rush will need to step up and have a big game this week. Getting to Daniels as well as keeping him contained and denying him to get outside, can get the Ravens to take over what should be an electric game.

On paper, the Ravens defense matches up exceptionally well, but we’ve seen Daniels take over the game when given the chance this season.

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