Baltimore Ravens (4-2) – Washington Commanders (4-2): 30-23
We must not hide our faces. Against the Commanders, the Ravens put together a great performance, complete and effective. The defense contained one of the best attacks in the league, Lamar Jackson was very good, Zay Flowers had a big game. Nothing to say. But it is clear that the soul, the pillar of this team, is above all Derrick Henry. The powerful running back was everywhere at the conclusion. He constantly nibbled the field, scored two touchdowns and above all knew how to bury the game in the final minutes. Sometimes football is simple.
On the other hand, Washington has never really been in charge. Apart from an early interception, they always played behind their opponent. They lost the clock challenge (24 minutes to 36), lost the defensive faceoff, and lost third downs. Forced to play on a tightrope, they failed to show the strengths that had made them winners in previous weeks. And yet the overall statistics are quite good. In short, a match too short and insufficient to win the Maryland derby.
It's not just Derrick Henry in life…
If we have the impression that the game is starting well for Baltimore with a long pass from Lamar Jackson (QB, 20/26, 323, 1 TD, 1 INT) to Zay Flowers (WR, 132 yards) from the start game, the Washington defense intervenes for the squad's first interception this year. An error which costs 3 points but which does not stop the best ground attack in the league. Insisting on Derrick Henry (RB, 132 yards, 2 TD), the locals immediately return to the mark, and monopolize the ball.
At the start of the second quarter, the Ravens balanced their game, with the involvement of Flowers and Rashod Bateman (WR, 71 yards), but always a good dose of Henry. An application that pays off since the powerful running back crosses the line after a splendid 93-yard drive to give the Crows the advantage. A first touchdown which finally wakes up the Commanders. Jayden Daniels (QB, 24/35, 269 yards, 2 TD) directs his troops directly towards the end goal, and finds Terry McLaurin (WR, 53 yards, 2 TD) in the back of the paint for the conclusion. But the last minutes are once again monopolized by the purples. A long series of 78 yards ends with a nice score from Mark Andrews (TE, 66 yards, 1 TD) and barely leaves time for the Commanders to attempt (and miss) a long distance kick. The two teams return to the locker room with a score of 17 to 10.
…But still a little
Washington catches up at the start of the third quarter. A short drive of 33 yards, and 3 points reduced the gap. Yet the defense cannot find the key. A pounding Henry, an elusive Jackson on the ground, only a penalty reduces Baltimore to a field goal once they arrive in the red zone. Then a lonely Andrews crosses half the field to perfectly place Henry for another touchdown. Simple, effective, relentless, the crows fly away.
The Commanders try to turn things around at the start of the last quarter. Zach Ertz (TE, 68 yards) breaks through, McLaurin sacrifices his body in the backfield, then the receiver is after a pass in the corner of the goal on a fourth last-chance attempt. However, there is still work to be done. The defense continues to suffer in the face of constant attacks from the Baltimore playmakers. A field goal exchange leaves the Ravens 7 points ahead with only 3 minutes left to play. So it’s time to make way for Derrick Henry. A few percussions from the runner, a roll-up from Jackson, and the crows just have to put their knees on the ground to win. A complete match which offers the fourth victory in a row to John Harbaugh's men.
