Ravens Trounce the Commanders

Ravens 30, Commanders 3

The Ravens were outgained 242 yards to 232. The Commanders had the edge in passing yards, 157 to 130 and they outpaced the Ravens 4.2 to 3.7 in yards per play. Yet where it matters most, the Ravens dominated the scoreboard with a very convincing performance in their preseason finale, throttling Washington by the score of 30-3.

The deciding factor was turnovers. The Ravens took the ball away from the Commanders four times without relinquishing it once. And that has been an emphasis of the team throughout training camp.

Thinking back to the Ravens divisional loss in Buffalo back in January, despite losing the turnover battle 3-0, the Ravens still were in the game until the very end and nearly tied it with under 2 minutes to play. If they had protected the football in that game, the season’s outcome could have been different. So the added emphasis on takeaways is completely understandable and on Saturday afternoon at Northwest Stadium, the Ravens were successful thieves while protecting their own possessions.

“It’s been intentional. It’s been something that we’ve been thinking about, talking about, drilling, practicing and trying to make sure we try to make it happen.” ~ John Harbaugh when asked about the emphasis on turnovers following yesterday’s game. ~ John Harbaugh

THE GOOD

Offense

From the jump, the Ravens controlled the line of scrimmage. Joseph Noteboom had a very nice seal block at the second level to spring Rasheed Ali for the game’s first TD… Carson Vinson played 65 snaps, valuable game experience for the rookie tackle and he performed quite well.

.@Ravens @vinsoncarson played all 65 plays v @Commanders . He is really improving. Staying on his feet; staying connected to his blocks and very consistent in his sets @wyche89 #ravensflock #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/6WaHY3T8Fy

— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) August 24, 2025

“Rasheen Ali looks quicker and more decisive than he did as a rookie. Early prediction – Ali will be a preseason star and it may be difficult to sneak him onto the practice squad.” ~ Camp Notes, Day 1

Ali has made himself some money this summer. He’s practiced well and has been steady throughout the preseason. Against the Commanders on the heels of some nifty footwork inside the tackles combined with a north/south approach, Ali had 36 yards on 9 carries including a score. He also presented well in the passing game on screens and as a check down option. He hasn’t done anything to not earn a spot on the 53 but unless the team concludes that Ali is an invaluable contributor on special teams, he’s an unnecessary luxury in an already crowded backfield. And given his preseason film, it’s unlikely that he makes his way to the Ravens practice squad.

TOUCDHDOWN ALI

He finishes off his touchdown drive with 5 carries and 22 yards. pic.twitter.com/x0xMYiSSDr

— Ravens Nation ð™‡ð™„ð™‘𙀠(@LIVERavenNation) August 23, 2025

D’Ernest Johnson is another interesting player. Cut by the Browns who ironically need a back, credit Johnson for his workmanlike effort on Saturday afternoon. It was obvious that the Ravens were just trying to take the air out of the ball and grind the clock. Carrying the lion’s share of that load was Johnson. He managed just 45 yards on 17 carries but showed some excellent vision deep in the red zone.

TOUCHDOWN, @DernestJohnson2

Tune in on WBAL! pic.twitter.com/vlFzAe9ij1

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 23, 2025

Cooper Rush looked sharp with solid ball placement. He had a nice connection with LaJohntay Wester for 22 yards behind some outstanding protection. He also hooked up with Dayton Wade on a nice in-cut route for 15 yards to give the Ravens a new set of downs in the red zone. Back to Wester for a moment, he was thought to be primarily a return specialist, but the 6th-round pick has shown some chops as a pass catcher. He looks smooth and refined.

Defense

Trenton Simpson had a very productive game. With just 31 snaps to his credit, Simpson collected 6 tackles, 1 ½ sacks, a tipped pass that led to Jalyn Armour-Davis’ INT and a forced fumble. JAD also looked tight in coverage, adding another PD to his afternoon… Teddye Buchanan chipped in with 4 tackles, a ½ sack and showcased his sideline-to-sideline speed when stringing out a jet sweep for no gain.

Trenton Simpson knocks the ball out and @maniachamm recovers!!

Tune in on WBAL! pic.twitter.com/fGNlfPoq8x

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 23, 2025

Trenton Simpson’s work vs the Commanders included this isolation win against backup RG Timothy McKay in the 2nd Q. Simpson blitzed from depth as Washington chipped both OLB’s, freeing up space for the blow-by and a strip sack of Sam Hartman.#Ravens #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/hVwc5JpWeQ

— All 22 Films (@All_22_NFL_Cuts) August 24, 2025

Jay Higgins had 6 tackles during his 29 snaps. He’s earned a spot on some team’s 53 but it might not be the Ravens…Malik Hamm, a regular preseason contributor, had 3 tackles, a pressure and a fumble recovery during his 36 snaps…Camp sensation Reuben Lowery had 7 tackles by halftime…Sanoussi Kane made a nice tackle near the LOS in the first quarter to stop Chris Rodriquez. Kane has a decided edge over Beau Brade who looks like a practice squad candidate at best.

TJ Tampa was tight in coverage throughout, demonstrating good technique on a go route in the first quarter to notch a PD but the effort was negated by an offsides penalty on David Ojabo. Ojabo’s only highlight occurred on a 4th-and-1 attempt when he dropped Jeremy McNichols for a 2-yard loss…CB Thomas Graham had a couple of plays in the red zone that popped. On 2nd-and-9 at the Ravens 14 YL, Graham stopped RB Demetric Felton for no gain. On the very next play he intercepted Josh Johnson in the end zone demonstrating great leverage on an in-cut route and finished the play with excellent hands that would even impress accomplished receivers.

RAVENS DEFENSE THINGS

Tune in on WBAL! pic.twitter.com/ZE8jXBzYMm

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 23, 2025

Special Teams

Tyler Loop connected from 46, 52 and 61 yards…Jordan Stout pinned the Commanders inside the 10 twice with some improved directional punting that has been a challenge for him…the Ravens limited Washington to just 19.8 yards on kick returns. Devontez Walker made a terrific stop on one kick return to pin the Commanders at their own 15. That kind of performance will allow his to dress most Sundays.

LOOOOOOOP

Tune in on WBAL! pic.twitter.com/HynByjTRQe

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 23, 2025

THE BAD

Ojabo’s encroachment changed a failed third down conversion attempt into a 3rd-and-2 for the Commanders. JAD bailed out Ojabo with a nice PD on the third down redo…While Loop was flawless on FGAs, he flubbed a couple of kickoff opportunities. One sailed into the end zone giving Washington the ball at the 35 while another went OOB giving the Commanders a start at the 40 YL.

THE UGLY

Buchanan bit on a play fake that opened up a massive window for Sam Hartman to hit TE Colson Yankoff (sorry, I giggled typing this in a Beavis & Butthead kind of way) on a seam route that went for 51 yards. The play included some poor tackling attempts by Tampa and Kane…later a DPI against Tampa was undeserved and an extremely lame call. The coverage was nearly perfect. The game officials are still in preseason mode too.

Colson Yankoff season!pic.twitter.com/tEeIfRLBx4

— COMMANDERS FOOTBALL (@HogsHaven) August 23, 2025

THE PAIGE SPIRANAC

Here in Baltimore, we root for the underdog. We embrace him. That emotion is part of our collective DNA. We connect with an against all odds journey, perhaps because we are part of a big town that is scorned by outsiders, overshadowed by DC to the south and Philly to the north.

Keyon Martin is one of the Ravens many undrafted free agents. Making his story even more interesting is that all 32 teams passed over Martin during the 8th round of the NFL Draft, aka the frenzy to sign quality undrafted players that were not selected by any NFL team during rounds 1 through 7. The former Ragin’ Cajun from Louisiana-Lafayette was invited to rookie camp. Oftentimes such invites are extended to players looking to earn a stipend with the outside chance of being invited to the team’s training camp. Most are camp fodder. Apparently no one told Martin.

Throughout training camp, Martin has impressed. And then he took those playmaking skills to the fields of the preseason where he has shined. He’s been an effective blitzer dropping Dallas’ Joe Milton in the end zone for safety. He’s shown the ability to shoot gaps in run defense, yesterday producing a 4-yard loss on a 2nd-and-4 attempt. And then, while in zone coverage, he read QB Hartman’s eyes, jumped a route like a crafty veteran and made a house call, returning his INT for a score from 26 yards out.

Keyon Martin now has a safety and a pick-six this preseason.

He’s impressed as a slot CB, but his size could be prohibitive if the Ravens need him on special teams. Tough call with the UDFA.
pic.twitter.com/cFZJJXN56o

— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) August 23, 2025

To deny Martin a spot on the 53 at this point would be a surprise, particularly in this underdog town, on this team.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The digital measurement system is odd. The chain gang has never been an issue. The issue is the placement of the ball – the official’s interpretation of forward progress. That deserves the technology.

RSR’s Brian McFarland shared an interesting list of UDFAs signed by the Ravens and their corresponding signing bonuses. The bonuses paid should not influence which UDFAs stick and which don’t. That’s just the cost of doing business. But they could indicate the level of interest around the league in these players and that could influence who the Ravens risk placing on waivers with the hopes of reclaiming them for their 16-man practice squad.

Two weeks until Ravens @ Bills.

Not that it factors in now, but it’s always interesting to look at which UDFAs got the most bonus & gtd money when signing. Shows Ravens’ interest and/or league-wide interest: https://t.co/oEU3Jdfs2Z pic.twitter.com/9QKZosMP9z

— Brian McFarland (@RavensSalaryCap) August 23, 2025

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