The Commanders are facing a Ravens offense that runs the ball incredibly.
After only five games, the Ravens have already rushed for over 1,000 yards (1,056). The Ravens are averaging 6.1 yards every time they run the ball. This is huge because running the ball requires less precision and timing in an offense than passing the ball. In addition, passing also requires throwing a decently accurate catchable ball and someone to catch it.
The Ravens have managed to lead the NFL in yards gained and do it by running the ball conservatively. As a result, they are second in offensive plays from scrimmage, keeping the ball away from their opponents while daring you to stop them from running it down their throats.
All that running back Derrick Henry has managed to do thus far in five games is lead the NFL with 572 rushing yards. Quarterback Lamar Jackson has added 363 rushing yards averaging an impressive 6.8 yards a rush. Henry is not far behind, averaging 6.0 a carry.
Being a predominantly running team, they have still accomplished in five games they are the team that averages an NFL-leading 6.8 yards per offensive play.
Ravens’ linebacker Roquan Smith is apparently quite confident in the Ravens defense as well. He declared Thursday that “Jayden Daniels hasn’t seen a defense like ours.”
Daniels is having quite the rookie season himself. The LSU rookie is completing 77.1% of his passes, which tops the NFL. Daniels is second in the league in yards per passing attempt (8.7). He is third in the NFL in QBR (73.2).
However, perhaps the overlooked factor in this game might be offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s running offense for the Commanders. It is not the Ravens rushing attack, but surprisingly, the offensive line that was supposed to be so weak this year has the Commanders third in the league in rushing yards (892). They lead the NFL in rushing touchdowns with 13 (Saints are next with 9). They are averaging 5.3 yards a rushing attempt.
Ekeler MASSIVE run! pic.twitter.com/IJ6hdMJ8vv
— Mark Tyler (Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) October 6, 2024
This means the Commanders can both run and pass the ball. Though Roquan Smith confidently declared Jayden Daniels has yet to see a defense like the Commanders, might it also be just as accurate to ask, “In 2024, has the Ravens defense seen an offense like the Commanders?”