3 under the radar Commanders who must contribute in Week 6 at Ravens

Beating the Baltimore Ravens demands finding ways to stop Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry. Or at least limiting them. Fortunately, the Washington Commanders have two under-the-radar players who can help subdue the reigning NFL MVP and his teammate - a two-time league rushing champion.

This is a week to lean on defense, but the Commanders have been winning games because of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and an explosive offense. The signal-caller has been making the most of established names like wide receiver Terry McLaurin, tight end Zach Ertz, and running back Austin Ekeler. However, a rookie pass-catcher could exploit the Ravens' vulnerabilities in deep coverage.

Under the radar Commanders who must contribute vs. Ravens

Phidarian Mathis has vital role to play

He's often overlooked among the more star-studded names in the Commanders' rotation at defensive tackle, but Phidarian Mathis can play a vital role at M&T Bank Stadium. The former Alabama stud is perhaps the best natural run-stuffer on the depth chart, so he'll be needed to take running lanes away from Henry.

That's a daunting task. Mathis "came alive" during the win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 5, according to head coach Dan Quinn. The latter also said it's "Good to see his trajectory going up," per ESPN's John Keim.

Mathis' remit this week will be more about splitting gaps and denying Henry room to run. He's got the playing strength to win against inconsistent guards Andrew Vorhees and Daniel Faalele if he keeps up his solid recent form.

Trading John Ridgeway III to the New Orleans Saints meant the Commanders ditched one of their few true run pluggers. Mathis must step into the breach this week to try and take away Jackson's safety net.

Defending Jackson will require close attention from another unheralded member of Quinn and coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.'s defense.

Jeremy Chinn needs to spy Lamar Jackson

This game should be a case study for why the Commanders signed Jeremy Chinn in free agency. The hybrid linebacker/safety needs to spend almost every snap down in the box to help the Commanders form eight-man fronts against Henry and the Ravens' multiple-tight end sets.

Operating closer to the line of scrimmage can help Chinn perform two jobs. One involves locking up with move tight end Isaiah Likely, Jackson's go-to target on broken plays.

Chinn's other job is more important. It involves keeping a keen eye on Jackson. He can make any defensive player look foolish in one-on-one situations, but every mobile quarterback needs a spy.

Using Chinn makes sense because of his speed, range, and downhill aggression. Chinn needs to track Jackson wherever he goes. The Commanders should also give their roving watcher the green light to blitz any time a running back clears the backfield.

Keeping Jackson under pressure is the only way to force the mistakes Washington needs to spring an upset. Combining turnovers forced by the defense with select big plays on offense is the winning formula.

Luke McCaffrey can burn the Ravens deep

Those big plays can be manufactured by targeting Luke McCaffrey deep. The rookie wide receiver can get behind Baltimore's underneath coverage and challenge struggling free safety Marcus Williams to stay with him in the deep third.

Williams couldn't get over the top of vertical strikes to Ja'Marr Chase and Andrei Iosivas against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 5. McCaffrey can similarly stretch the field since he's averaging an impressive 9.8 yards per catch.

The Ravens will probably expect this year's third-round pick to work underneath, but sending 6-foot-2 McCaffrey vertical can catch a struggling secondary cold. Baltimore's defensive backfield is allowing 8.1 yards per reception and has surrendered 23 catches of 20-plus yards. This is a game for Daniels and his receivers to feast with the right plan.

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