A first loss of the season won’t be followed by a second when the Baltimore Ravens host the Washington Redskins in Week 5.
Baltimore’s top-ranked defense couldn’t stop Derek Carr and the Oakland Raiders when it counted last week. But the unit can force Kirk Cousins and the Washington Redskins into some key mistakes at M&T Bank Stadium this Sunday.
Turning up the heat on Cousins has to be priority one for the Ravens. Washington’s quarterback is a talent, but he also has an erratic streak that can lead to turnovers in bunches against an opportunistic defense.
The Ravens have the players at every level to make it a rough afternoon for Cousins and Co. They can bring pressure off the edges and through the interior, thanks to Terrell Suggs and Timmy Jernigan. The pair share the team lead for sacks with three apiece.
Pressure shouldn’t be Cousins’ only concern, though. He should also be wary about airing it out against a defense that’s picked off five passes through four weeks. Blossoming middle linebacker C.J. Mosley has two of those INTs to his credit, and forms the backbone of a smart pass defense, along with cerebral safety Eric Weddle.
The Redskins will likely want to cultivate some balance on the road, meaning trying to establish running back Matt Jones. But it looks like mission impossible thanks to man mountain Brandon Williams. Baltimore’s best means of blocking out the sun should dominate a suspect interior Washington O-line.
Williams’ fellow lineman Lawrence Guy has also been a force against the run. He’s registered two tackles for loss, as has linebacker Zach Orr, per ESPN.
A one-dimensional Redskins attack will be at the mercy of the sophisticated pressure schemes designed by Ravens coordinator Dean Pees. An under-siege Cousins won’t be able to exploit his gifted group of receivers, led by tight end Jordan Reed and wide receiver DeSean Jackson, against Baltimore’s suspect cornerbacks.
Similarly, the Ravens won’t want to go pass-heavy against a Washington defense soft on the ground. The Redskins are 30th in the NFL against the run, good news for young backs Terrance West and Kenneth Dixon. They’ve been handed the keys to the ground game after veteran Justin Forsett was released.
West and Dixon can thrive against a Redskins front seven struggling to get off blockers and make tackles in space. Then quarterback Joe Flacco will be able to take his pick of open holes behind the linebacker level, holes wideout Steve Smith Snr. and tight end Dennis Pitta can find at will.
Date: Sunday, October 9
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Location: Baltimore, MD
Venue: M&T Bank Stadium
TV: Fox
Live Stream: Fox Sports Go
Washington boasts playmakers on offense who should concern the Ravens, particularly in the passing game. Yet this is a defense tough and creative at every level. The Ravens are better equipped than most to force Cousins into the costly errors that have marred his career.
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Meanwhile, West can carry the load for a Baltimore offense sure to thrive on the ground this week.