Commanders show respect for the Baltimore Ravens offense

The Baltimore Ravens offense has been on fire lately, and the Washington Commanders are the latest to catch fire.

In Sunday's 30-23 home win, the Ravens rushed for a total of 484 yards, their second-highest total of the season. Derrick Henry maintained his dominant performance on the floor while Lamar Jackson hit it back and forth at will.

Washington learned how difficult it is to stop Baltimore's full-strength offense. The commanders knew exactly what to expect from the Ravens, but still struggled to stop them.

“They had a few little wrinkles, but nothing too crazy,” linebacker Bobby Wagner told reporters after the game. “They have 8 (Jackson) and 22 (Henry) and you have to find a way to stop them. No matter what they use, they’re going to try to get them the ball.”

Washington's defense isn't one of the best in the league and they've given up a lot of points and yards early in the season. Nevertheless, the Commanders have many talented players on defense. Wagner and Frankie Luvu patrol the second level while Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne and Dante Fowler Jr. lead a strong defensive front.

Still, it wasn't enough to stop the Ravens' attack.

“I think everything we prepared for, they executed,” said rookie cornerback Mike Sainristil, who had his first career interception on Sunday. “But you know, they’re also a great team (and tough to beat at home). The brotherhood over there is super strong. So we really knew the game was going to come down to who could limit the mistakes and whose defense could hold up. “Out there and making the stops when needed, like I said, they're a good football team.”

Nevertheless, one is proud of the way the Commanders played. While their four-game winning streak came to an end, they remained competitive with a clear Super Bowl contender, no small feat for a young team.

They were good, but the Ravens were just better.

“I have a lot of respect for them because they lived up to their identity and played hard,” said head coach Dan Quinn. “I told John (Harbaugh) after the game, 'That was an absolute finish from you and your guys to end the game.' I thought both teams had a tough identity.

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