Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders have scored the most points in the NFL this season, with the starting quarterback beating opponents who throw and run the ball. Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens are not far behind, with the dual and reigning MVP according to a similar recipe.

They face each other on Sunday in a confrontation of Heisman Trophy-winning must-see QBs who run high-octane offenses and want to shine on their own and not be measured against each other all the time.

“I don’t like it when people really try to compare me to Lamar and vice versa,” Daniels said. “I want to be known as Jayden Daniels and not the next so-and-so.”

Jackson said Daniels is “his own player, his own man” and that they are “just trying to make a name for ourselves.”

The next opportunity is this weekend in Baltimore. The commanders are on a four-game winning streak that puts them at 4-1, the Ravens have won three in a row to improve to 3-2, and it’s the game of the week because Daniels and Jackson are on the court together as professionals for the first time.

“It’s the first time we’ve had one of these matchups where it’s two quarterbacks that are really having a lot of success and are comparable in a way,” said veteran running back Austin Ekeler, who is in his first season at Washington. . “These guys are dynamic runners. Jayden is obviously new to the NFL and coming into the scene, but Lamar has had a lot of respect, so I’m excited about this matchup.

There are plenty of reasons for the comparisons, not just considering their playing style, but also the numbers they have put up. Jackson and Daniels are the only two players in NFL history to average more than 200 yards passing and more than 50 yards rushing over their careers — even though one has been doing it since 2018 and the other is five games in.

Jackson has thrown for 1,206 yards, nine touchdowns and an interception and run for 363 yards this season. Daniels said he is a fan and appreciates what Daniels has done for the sport and for black quarterbacks.

Daniels, the No. 2 pick in the draft, has thrown for 1,135 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions and has completed a league-best 77.5% of his passes. He’s also run for 300 yards and four touchdowns and caught Jackson’s attention more than a few times.

“I’ve gotten glimpses of his play on social media and things like that, and he’s taking off,” Jackson said. “He’s doing what we saw in college, which got him the Heisman.”

Even though the Commanders are on a roll, the Ravens are 6 1/2 point favorites on BetMGM Sportsbook, which ties into their status as a Super Bowl contender. Washington isn’t quite there yet, though optimism is growing about an attempt to reach the playoffs. While Daniels’ teammates are eager to see what he has in store next, they don’t want him to overexert himself.

“It’s so early in his career and it’s about continued success in this league,” Commander Zach Ertz said. ‘We have all the confidence in the world that Jayden will remain that man for a long time. But we also don’t need him to feel like he has to go out and outdo Lamar. He just has to go out there and be the best version of himself.”

Ravens ‘D’ change

Baltimore comes in with the second-worst pass defense in the league, ahead of only Jacksonville. The Ravens have allowed opponents to throw for 280.2 yards per game and are coming off win in overtime at Cincinnati while allowing Joe Burrow’s 392 yards and five touchdowns.

“Most of our issues are nothing structural,” All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton said. “It’s just basic things. We have to tackle, we have to get out of the blockages, we have to communicate, and we have been saying this for five weeks now, so it is time to actually do it.

Veteran assistant Dean Pees arrives this week, joining defensive coordinator Zach Orr’s staff as a senior advisor. Coach John Harbaugh thinks Pees – a former Ravens defensive coordinator – will be a useful addition as a fresh perspective and sounding board for players.

“We’re facing everything right now, and I think that’s a big part of our organization and our defense: there are no egos,” Hamilton said. “(Orr) could have easily been like, ‘No, we’re going to fix it in the house,’ but (it’s good) to be humble enough and be willing to bring in someone who knows what they’re doing.”

Commanders ‘D’ improve

Before the garbage time of a 34-13 blowout against Cleveland, the Commanders held Deshaun Watson and the Browns to just six points on a pair of field goals, 149 yards through the first three quarters. They sacked Watson seven times and stopped him on all 12 third down attempts.

It was a marked improvement after some early season struggles for a group with six new starters. Third-year cornerback Benjamin St-Juste feels like the chemistry is finally coming together.

“We are on the same page,” St-Juste said. “Once we start playing in sync – the D-line, the linebackers, the DBs, they all play off each other and that’s what makes a great defense.”

Local rivalry?

The teams’ stadiums, each in Maryland, are separated by less than 30 miles. Washington is in the NFC East and Baltimore is in the AFC North, so they don’t play each other often.

Daniels acknowledges that he is new here, but he feels like there is “not really a rivalry.”

“Obviously people can look at it as a rivalry, but for us, man, it’s just a different game,” Daniels said.

Due to the proximity of Ravens defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike, there will be many fans of each team in the stands.

“My opinion is it will be loud,” he said. “It’s going to rock. It will be a great match.”

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AP freelancer Todd Karpovich in Owings Mills, Maryland, contributed to this report.

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