Game Preview, Preseason Week 2: Baltimore at Washington

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August 21, 2023

by Steve Thomas

We don’t normally do game previews for preseason games, but in light of the fact that this is a nationally-televised game against local rivals, the Baltimore Ravens, it seemed appropriate in this instance.  Throw in the fact that the Ravens have, weirdly, won 24 preseason games in a row, and this is about as big of a preseason game as it gets for Washington.  This isn’t going to be a game in which either team has game-planned for the other, and they won’t really be playing to win, as is true for all preseason games; regardless, the Redskins Washington Football Team Commanders Washington is involved in a pretty interesting matchup, and might learn some important things about the team to boot.

Game time & location:          Monday, August 21, 2023, 8:00 p.m. ET, Fed Ex Field, Raljon, Maryland; Gates open 5:00                                                       p.m. ET; Red Zone parking lots open 3:00 p.m.; all other parking lots 4:00 a.m.

Television:                              ESPN

Television announcers:         Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters

TV broadcast map:                National

DC-area radio:                        BIG-100 (WBIG FM)

Washington radio network:   click here

Ravens radio network:          click here

Satellite radio:                         SiriusXM: 88 (Wash. broad.) / 380 (Ravens broad.); internet: 831

 

Washington roster:                click here

Washington depth chart:      click here

Ravens roster:                        click here

Ravens depth chart:             click here

 

Records (2022): Washington 8 – 8 – 1 (home 4 – 5); Ravens 10 – 7 (away 5 – 4)

All-time head-to-head record vs Ravens: 3 – 4 (last 5: 2 – 3; streak: 0 – 1)

Last meeting: L, October 4, 2020, 17 – 31

Early odds: Ravens, -1

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Sam Howell’s performance

Howell was officially named as Washington’s starting quarterback this week, so the spotlight will be on him early in the game.  It’s highly unlikely that he’ll play more than two quarters tonight, but coaches should want to see efficiency, production, and no mistakes.  He mostly accomplished this last week, with the exception of his interception from which the refs saved him, but Baltimore’s starting defense is a whole other level.  In addition, they just added pass rusher Jadaveon Clowney, so it’ll be a challenge.  Howell needs to be aiming for a completion percentage of at least 65%, a quality touchdown drive, and no turnovers.

Can the defense keep the Ravens’ quarterbacks in the pocket?

Lamar Jackson is the best running quarterback in the league; he might be the best in NFL history.  Jackson most likely won’t play long, but Washington’s goal should be to keep him from going crazy on the ground while he’s in.  They didn’t do well against Deshaun Watson in that regard last week, so the bar is set pretty low.  Part of the problem for Washington’s defensive front last week was that the linebackers couldn’t keep Watson from getting into the second level, and now they’re facing the best in the league.  This will be a good test for the short period of time that Jackson actually plays.

Brian Robinson and Chris Rodriguez

One way or the other, Washington needs a productive running game in the 2023 season.  Their goal ought to be at least a cumulative 4.5 yards per carry.  Robinson and Rodriguez are the two most likely candidates to be able to reach that goal.  Rodriguez is only a rookie, but I suspect that the coaches may give him a shot at a few carries in the first half this week, perhaps even with the starters, as a result of his performance last week.  Robinson has alot to overcome in terms of his historical performance last year, but he has talent, and there’s hope for him.  This should be a critical part of Washington’s goal against the Ravens this wee

Washington’s starting offensive line

To put it simply, Washington’s offensive line is, in general terms, probably a bottom 5 unit.  Coaches should pull out all the stops and allow anyone and everyone a shot at proving himself worthy of playing time.  Keep an eye out tonight on whether they can keep Howell clean, give him time to throw, and establish running lanes in the first half.  This is a tall order that probably won’t go well, but we’ll see.

Chase Young

Young has quite a bit to prove this season, and only made it through 4 plays before suffering what appears to be a minor injury last week.  But let’s not mince words: it’s been all downhill since his rookie year, including his four plays against the Browns last week.  At some point, he needs to turn it around, or he won’t be in Washington past year 4 or 5.  Watch out for whether Young can get some pressure on Jackson in the first half.

Steve’s Prediction  

The result of this game isn’t important, and the teams aren’t really playing to win here, but Baltimore will probably extend its preseason winning streak to 25 games in a row.