Tag: Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson

Will Commanders change defensive strategy to stop Ravens?

Will Commanders’ change defensive strategy vs. Ravens?

The Ravens repeatedly pound the ball, so will the Commanders make alignment and personnel changes on Sunday?

In the first five weeks, the Commanders have started with an alignment of utilizing five defensive backs, often referred to as “Nickel.” If you are not aware, back in the ’60s, legendary former Washington coach George Allen, a defensive coordinator, invented the “Nickel.” He figured if he removed a linebacker, he could insert a quicker defensive back when the offense was more likely to pass.

Fast-forward to 2024, and the Commanders have started five defensive backs each game. However, on Sunday, they face a Ravens team that leads the NFL in rushing yards, uses a terrific running quarterback (Lamar Jackson), and has a huge full back (Patrick Ricard) who weighs 300 pounds. Last but certainly not least is the NFL’s leading rusher through five games, Derrick Henry.

Will Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt actually come out in their nickel (five DBs) attempting to stop that Ravens offense? I certainly wouldn’t recommend it. If the Commanders do change, what might they change?

Would Washington remove a corner in favor of a linebacker? Mykal Walker, at 230 pounds, might be a better fit than a fifth defensive back. Another candidate that was thought a possibility was rookie linebacker Jordan Magee. At 226 pounds and very mobile, he might have been a candidate to help shadow the speeding quarterback Jackson. However, on Saturday afternoon, the Commanders announced Magee was out for Sunday, still not activated.

Another option might have been to go with a third safety instead of a third corner. However, rookie, Tyler Owens (215 pounds) is injured and already declared out. Might they go with safety Darrick Forrest (200 pounds) as the fifth defensive back?

These would have been both bigger and more mobile options. With Magee and Owens out of the game, perhaps another option might be playing five defensive lineman instead of four.. The Commanders could remove a corner and go with either a much bigger defensive tackle (Johnny Newton) or perhaps a third defensive end, such as Dante Fowler. This would likely mean more snaps in the rotations for tackles Phidarian Mathis and Newton. It could also mean more for defensive ends such as Andre Jones, Jamin Davis, or Javontae Jean-Baptiste.

Whatever Quinn and Whitt have determined this week, it will most likely mean two corners rather than three. It will also include an extra linebacker or defensive lineman on the field attempting to stop the league’s best running offense.

 

Ravens and Commanders: Two legit offenses battle in Week 6

The Commanders and Ravens both have high-powered offenses.

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.

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?”

 

Commanders’ Whitt makes it clear that only one thing matters

The Commanders’ defensive coordinator made it clear that only one thing matters.

In the last four weeks, the sports media world has repeatedly talked about Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders’ offense.

Commanders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. was asked about this Thursday at his press conference.

“Oh, I’m not necessarily looking for any type of attention,” Whitt said. “I’m looking for better play. Jayden, he’s getting all the attention that he’s getting because he’s played outstanding and that’s what comes with it. So, the only thing I care about is winning football games and I’m glad he’s our quarterback, and so we’re trending the right way the last couple weeks.

Whitt likes that the Commanders’ defense has played better the last two weeks, limiting the Cardinals to 14 points and the Browns to 13.

“And it’s going to keep going that way for the defense. We’re going to start making a little bit more splash, getting this ball. The physicality is definitely there, but I don’t care about being in darkness or light, I just care about winning. That’s the only thing I really care about.”

But this game is certainly a big one. It’s the top CBS game this week, with Jim Nantz and Tony Romo calling the game in Baltimore against the Ravens (3-2).

Dan Quinn clearly stated the game was not a measuring stick for his team, and on Thursday, Whitt did the same.

“I’m excited every time we step on the field, we’re not using Baltimore or anybody necessarily as a measuring stick. It’s the next game, you know what I’m saying? So, whenever we get out there on the field, we’re excited because it’s the next game, because anybody in this league can beat you, so you can’t get high or low. We try to stay even keel, prepare for the next opponent, and that’s the biggest game that we have because it’s the next game. So, it doesn’t really change because there’s a dynamic player in Lamar Jackson who we have a ton of respect for…”