Predicting the Commanders' next four games after 2-1 start in 2024
By Dean Jones
Commanders at Ravens - Week 6
- Date: Sunday, October 13
- Time: 1.00 p.m. ET
- Venue: M&T Bank Stadium
The Washington Commanders will be well on their way to becoming the NFL's surprise package if they are 4-1 through the opening five games. That's no guarantee by any stretch of the imagination, so taking the rough with the smooth remains the desired mindset in Year 1 of this drastic rebuild.
Dan Quinn will get a much better indication of where his squad is and what more is required in Week 6 at the Baltimore Ravens. John Harbaugh's team hasn't set the league alight as many predicted just yet, but their imposing first three quarters against the Dallas Cowboys was much more like it.
For some reason, the Ravens seem to be faltering late. They almost blew another big lead in Dallas before holding on. They were beaten by the Las Vegas Raiders despite things looking promising once upon a time. Their loss at the Kansas City Chiefs to begin the 2024 season came with some positives attached.
The margin for error is slim in Baltimore with games versus the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals upcoming before they welcome the Commanders. Regardless of how the results go, this is going to be a significant challenge for Washington to overcome versus their neighbors in the DMV.
NFL MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson could have his way with Washington's porous defense if Joe Whitt Jr. cannot find the right formula with the personnel available by this point. Having the powerful Derrick Henry in the backfield is another huge complication. That's without considering their young, explosive defense led by the likes of Kyle Hamilton, Nnamdi Madubuike, Roquan Smith, and the emerging Trenton Simpson.
- Prediction: Loss (4-2)
The Commanders will be brimming with confidence in this scenario. Baltimore will be the team's best measuring stick so far by a considerable margin regardless of how many wins they have in the column. Looking at the current state of affairs, this could be a step too far for Washington right now. Even though their stunning success at the Bengals means nothing is set in stone.