The Washington Commanders face the Baltimore Ravens Sunday on the road at M&T Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. On paper, these two teams are more similar than you’d think, with similar quarterbacks, similar receivers, and solid running backs. The Commanders’ 4-1 record is slightly better than the Ravens’ 3-2 record, but the Ravens have one player the Commanders would love to steal: Linebacker Kyle Van Noy.
Looking at both offenses, there is nothing the Ravens have to offer the Commanders that is better than what they already have. But if you look at their defenses, there is one thing the Ravens excel at where the Commanders struggle: Sacks.
Enter Kyle Van Noy, who leads the Ravens with six sacks on the season. In fact, his six sacks lead all linebackers in the NFL and ranks him fourth in sacks.
Lamar Jackson is a hard quarterback to contain. He’s become more of a pocket passer in recent years, but his legs are still a problem for opposing defenses. Watching him play may be like watching Jayden Daniels in a few years, and wouldn’t it be so much easier to stop that kind of quarterback with a guy like Van Noy on your side?
The Commanders will have their hands full on Sunday with the Ravens. In reality, there is no Van Noy for the Commanders, so someone else has to step up to contain Jackson, his receivers, and Derrick Henry.