The Washington Commanders, riding high on a four-game winning streak, are gearing up for one of their toughest tests of the season against the Baltimore Ravens. Both teams boast explosive offenses, but the real story centers on Washington’s defense as it faces the daunting task of containing Ravens running back Derrick Henry.
The Ravens, with their league-leading rushing attack, are a formidable opponent, averaging 211.2 rushing yards per game, and Henry’s physicality presents a unique challenge for Washington’s 22nd-ranked run defense, which allows 130 rushing yards per contest.
The Commanders have strung together four straight victories after losing their season opener, but questions remain about the legitimacy of their success, as their wins have come against teams with losing records.
A matchup against Baltimore, who leads the NFL in total yards per game (447.6) and ranks second in points per game (29.4), will provide the ultimate test for Washington. Derrick Henry, who leads the league with 572 rushing yards, is a crucial piece of Baltimore’s high-octane offense and poses a serious threat to the Commanders’ defense.
Washington head coach Dan Quinn understands the challenge Henry presents.
“There’s no one that we have on our team that can simulate him for practice,” Quinn said. “You better have a really good tackling plan.”
Henry’s combination of size, speed, and agility-standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 247 pounds while still clocking over 21 mph-makes him one of the league’s most dangerous backs.
“He can also stiff arm…and he has a really good jab step,” Quinn added. “That, to me, makes what’s part of his superpower is the ability to have all three ways to stiff arm you, lower his shoulder, and make you miss.”
With two of the league’s most dynamic quarterbacks in Daniels and Ravens’ star Lamar Jackson, this matchup has all the makings of a high-scoring affair. But in the end, it will be Washington’s ability-or inability-to contain Derrick Henry that determines the outcome. The Commanders’ defense will need its best performance of the season to walk away with a victory in Baltimore.
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