Last week, Ravens All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith raised some eyebrows when he said Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels hadn’t seen a defense like Baltimore’s.
As it turns out, Smith was right as the Ravens beat the Commanders 30-23 on Sunday. But, it wasn’t like Baltimore’s defense shut Daniels down. The rookie passer completed 24 of 35 passes for 269 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. The Ravens’ top-ranked rush defense did hold Daniels to 22 rushing yards and Washington to 52 rushing yards overall.
After the game, several Ravens, including Smith, came away impressed with Daniels.
“Washington is in good hands with (Daniels),” Smith said. “He’s the truth, for sure. He can run it, he can throw it — whatever you want — and for him to come into a hostile environment and perform the way he did, I’ve got much respect for him. He took some licks, too, so the guys……I heard he was tough as nails, and even from watching him in college at couple of games, but he showed that. So, much respect and love for that guy, and yes, Washington is in good hands.”
That’s high praise from one of the NFL’s top defensive players. And when Smith said last week that Daniels hadn’t seen a defense like Baltimore’s, it wasn’t trash talk. While the Ravens won, Daniels and the Commanders earned Baltimore’s respect.