At the start of the 2024 NFL season, few would have circled the Baltimore Ravens and Washington Commanders as one of the highlights of Week 6.
However, with five games now completed, the "Battle of the Beltway" between Baltimore and Washington looks like it could be a must-see contest.
The Ravens have won three in a row over good competition and are now rolling at 3-2. The Commanders have been one of the NFL's biggest surprises at 4-1, with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels leading a high-voltage offensive attack.
Lamar Jackson may feel like he's looking in the mirror on Sunday when he watches the smooth, dynamic Daniels take the field.
To get a feel for how this Week 6 matchup might play out, we consulted several experts for their picks.
NFL Week 6 picks, predictions: Ravens vs. Commanders
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News : Ravens 31, Commanders 27
"The defenses have started to show plenty of holes, meaning the offensive fireworks of chunk runs and big pass plays will not disappoint. Jackson's experience and help from Derrick Henry give him a slight edge over Daniels, who is still on the road despite a short local trip."
Bill Bender, Sporting News : Ravens 28, Commanders 24
"Jackson has regained his MVP form through a three-game winning streak against the Cowboys, Bills, and Bengals. Who knew this might be the most difficult game to pick among that bunch? The Ravens lead the all-time Beltway rivalry 4-3."
John Breech, CBS Sports : Ravens 34, Commanders 31
"The Commanders problem is that they've given up 5.1 yards per carry on the ground this year. That's the second-worst number in the NFL and it's literally the worst weakness you can have when you're about to face a Baltimore team that leads the NFL in rushing. The Ravens are currently averaging 211.2 yards per game on the ground."
Iain McMillan, Sports Illustrated : Ravens
"[Washington's] defense has struggled to start the year ranking in the bottom 10 of each of the areas mentioned above, making it tough to back them against a team like the Ravens who can match them offensively, but have a much better defense to back them up. The Ravens lead the NFL in yards per play (6.8)."
ESPN Football Power Index : Ravens
ESPN's FPI gives the Ravens a 64.3% chance of winning.
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