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Lamar Jackson surpasses rookie Jayden Daniels to lead Ravens past Commanders and strengthen his own MVP case
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Lamar Jackson surpasses rookie Jayden Daniels to lead Ravens past Commanders and strengthen his own MVP case

Lamar Jackson is making a strong case for his third MVP trophy. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Lamar Jackson is making a strong case for his third MVP trophy. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

A sensational start to his career with the Washington Commanders put rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels in the MVP conversation. But the reigning NFL MVP prevailed on Sunday in a matchup with two of the league’s most electric quarterbacks.

Lamar Jackson defeated Daniels to lead the Baltimore Ravens to a 30-23 victory over the Commanders.

The victory marked Baltimore’s fourth straight win after an 0-2 start and cemented Jackson’s own campaign for a third career MVP trophy. The Ravens won with the same formula that carried them into Sunday on a three-game winning streak: a one-two offensive punch with Jackson and running back Derrick Henry. Washington’s defense was ill-equipped to slow down one of Baltimore’s offensive stars.

Jackson and Henry combined for three touchdowns through three quarters to lead Baltimore to a 27-13 lead. Daniels countered with a two-touchdown effort, including a fourth-down throw in a tight period to Terry McLaurin, to cut Washington’s deficit to one touchdown in the fourth quarter.

The score put the pressure back on Baltimore with 12:12 remaining in regular regulation. The Ravens responded with a nine-play, 57-yard drive that ran 5:54 off the clock. It ended with a 39-yard Justin Tucker field goal to cut the Ravens’ lead to two possessions. It was the fifth straight Ravens drive that ended with a score.

Baltimore limited Washington to a field goal on the ensuing drive. It then ran the remaining 2:13 off the clock to secure the victory.

Jackson did his damage with both his arm and legs as usual. He completed 20 of 26 passes for 323 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He added 40 rushing yards on 11 carries.

Jackson linked up early with sophomore receiver Zay Flowers, who had nine catches for a career-high 132 yards in the first half. He then found Mark Andrews for a 13-yard touchdown just before halftime to put the Ravens ahead for good at 17-10.

Henry, meanwhile, scored Baltimore’s first touchdown to give the Ravens an early 10–3 lead. in the second half, he capped a 94-yard drive with a 7-yard touchdown for his second score of the day.

When the Ravens looked to milk the clock on their final drive, they turned the game over to Henry for four straight plays before Jackson iced the play on a quarterback keeper for the game-sealing first down.

Henry finished with 24 carries for 132 yards with two touchdowns. The effort was his third with over 100 rushing yards in his first six games with the Ravens. He has now scored a touchdown in every game this season and increased his rushing touchdown total to an NFL-best eight.

Daniels was strong again in the losing effort as he continued his remarkable rookie campaign. He completed 24 of 35 passes for 269 yards with two touchdowns and no turnovers. It just wasn’t enough to overcome a Ravens offense that was deadlocked. Both teams leave Sunday’s match 4-2 and top of their respective divisions.