7 Commanders players on the hot seat entering Week 6 at the Ravens

The Washington Commanders need everyone firing on all cylinders versus the best opposition they've faced so far this season. Dan Quinn must be thrilled with the way his squad has responded to his teachings to begin the campaign. They are sitting at 4-1 through five weeks with some winnable games upcoming heading into the midway point. Before then, a trip to the Baltimore Ravens awaits.

Baltimore is a Super Bowl favorite for a reason. They've recovered from a slow start to rack up three straight victories and seem to be clicking offensively. Their defense can be susceptible to mistakes in the secondary, which is something the Commanders must take advantage of to stand any chance of attaining a mammoth win on the road that would send hype surrounding the ambitious project through the roof.

The Commanders are playing with house money, but keeping the same high standards in the face of a legitimate postseason challenger is essential. Quinn knows this is a tremendous measuring stick for his squad. How they handle the pressure cooker will tell us plenty about what this revamped group could accomplish as the season goes on.

With this in mind, here are seven Commanders players on the hot seat entering their crunch Week 6 showdown at M&T Bank Stadium.

Commanders players on the hot seat entering Week 6 at the Ravens

Jayden Daniels - Commanders QB

Being on the hot seat means one of two things. A player's position is under threat, or the Washington Commanders need an individual to step up and make a lasting contribution on any given weekend. That's the case for rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels at the Baltimore Ravens.

Daniels has been on a remarkable run to start the 2024 campaign. He doesn't look like a rookie, boasting the poise, precision, and ability to come through in critical moments that defy his NFL inexperience. The Commanders have a genuine franchise quarterback for the first time in years. The spotlight is shining brighter than ever heading into a mouth-watering duel with two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson.

Comparing Daniels to Jackson is unfair at this early stage of his career. He doesn't want it. He doesn't need it. The Heisman Trophy winner is carving out his own path to greatness. This will be a different challenge entirely against the Ravens, but there's nothing to suggest he cannot put up another encouraging display.

Momentum is everything in the NFL. Daniels and Jackson have more of it than most. This could be the start of a sizzling rivalry on the Beltway when it's all said and done.

Bobby Wagner - Commanders LB

It's no secret what the Washington Commanders' biggest strength is and will be in Week 6 at the Baltimore Ravens. Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry are a nightmare to counteract. If one doesn't beat you by pounding the rock into submission on the ground, the other will through dynamic playing under center. That's the size of the task awaiting Joe Whitt Jr.'s defense this weekend.

Bobby Wagner's role will be vital. He's the savvy veteran and supreme communicator at the defensive second level. Frankie Luvu inspires through action and motivation. The perennial All-Pro is the intelligent, football savant who's seen and done it all since entering the league as a second-round selection out of Utah State.

Wagner needs to be ready to get everyone in the correct position upon seeing the offensive alignment. He must spy on Jackson at all times and reach the contact point quickly to prevent Henry from picking up steam. He'll need plenty of help, but everyone has followed him willingly on the fast track to prosperity this season. Expect that to continue.

Washington's defense has talent - they've proven as much over the last two games. Whitt needs Wagner to become the glue that holds them together versus a phenomenal backfield tandem. That's the only way his plan is going to pay dividends.

Zach Ertz - Commanders TE

The Commanders need to keep Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry off the field for as long as possible in Week 6. Kliff Kingsbury must take advantage of big-play opportunities when they arise. Being methodical in pursuit of moving the chains will also be a huge part of his offensive strategy at the Baltimore Ravens.

Jayden Daniels has already proven capable of manning several different offensive styles since entering the NFL. The Commanders need to pick and choose their spots, protect the football, and sustain drives. That might be difficult versus a stout run defense, but their secondary can be vulnerable despite the presence of All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton.

Getting veteran tight end Zach Ertz more involved could be key. The three-time Pro Bowler continues to be a dependable presence over short-to-intermediate routes, securing 17 receptions from 24 targets for 160 receiving yards through five weeks. Daniels trusts him to come up with the goods in crucial moments. Expect this trend to continue at M&T Bank Stadium.

Ertz will be bracing himself for contact immediately after securing receptions in this one. However, the Commanders need him to lead and provide the assurance needed to make life easier for everybody on offense.

Mike Sainristil - Commanders CB

Most have centered their pre-game focus on the Baltimore Ravens' rushing attack with Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry in the backfield. However, they're also among the league's best passing teams to further raise concerns for the Washington Commanders.

The Ravens are averaging 236.4 yards per game through the air. This comes from establishing the run and using play-action to take advantage of stacked boxes. They are still a legitimate wide receiver away from being Super Bowl favorites, but Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman can get downfield quickly and secure big catches when opportunities arise.

Mike Sainristil needs to step up in a big way this weekend. The second-round cornerback endured a rough start to his pro career, but he's getting better with more experience. The Washington Commanders are tasking him with outside responsibilities given their lack of legitimate contributors, so there was always going to be an adjustment period. This will be a strong measuring stick for the rookie.

Being disciplined is critical. Sainristil cannot get baited by Jackson under any circumstance. The Ravens will likely test the former Michigan star early and often to see how he copes. Becoming a strong coverage presence and also assisting in run support when required must be accomplished by the No. 50 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Tyler Biadasz - Commanders C

The Ravens are a formidable force to overcome on their 3-4 defensive front. This is anchored by nose tackle Michael Pierce, who's one of the league's best at clogging up space and absorbing double teams for others to do damage.

It's a challenge the Commanders must embrace along their offensive line interior, which is performing well despite two new faces alongside stud right guard Sam Cosmi. This is another step up, so they must respond in kind to give rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels a fighting chance.

Tyler Biadasz is a big reason behind the entire protection improving drastically through five weeks. His pre-snap communication, aggressiveness on running plays, and ability to hold his own in pass protection have been a revelation so far. The former fourth-round pick out of Wisconsin has yet to give up a single pressure or sack from 326 offensive snaps. He'll need all that and more to counteract the supreme threat Pierce brings to the table.

Pierce is 355 pounds of brute force. Biadasz may need some help on occasion, but he'll relish this stern test. He's also got the experience of being in big-game environments during his time with the Dallas Cowboys. That's going to assist enormously considering how Washington lacks this after languishing among the bottom feeders for so long.

Austin Ekeler - Commanders RB

Brian Robinson Jr.'s status this weekend is in significant doubt. The star running back missed practice all week with a knee complication and is listed as questionable for the clash. Dan Quinn stated they would take it up until game-time before making a decision, but he's not going to be 100 percent reading between the lines.

Robinson got a reduced workload in Week 5 to preserve his health. The Washington Commanders' expectations are growing with every impressive win. They need their backfield threat firing on all cylinders at the business end of the campaign. If that means missing a couple of games now to fully heal, so be it.

This places Austin Ekeler's production firmly under the microscope. The veteran's been used sparingly throughout the season, gaining just 19 carries and featuring more in the passing game. That could change if Robinson cannot go in Week 6.

Ekeler developed a flair for the big occasion during his prolific stint with the Los Angeles Chargers. The Ravens boast the league's best run defense, so gaining yards on the ground will be difficult. But the former undrafted free agent out of Western Colorado has the experience and proven credentials to find a way.

Dorance Armstrong Jr. - Commanders DE

The Commanders need a strong defensive performance in Week 6. That goes without saying coming up against the star-studded tandem of quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry. The unit has shown signs of life over the last fortnight, but this is a different challenge entirely.

Dorance Armstrong Jr.'s role is a pivotal one. The edge rusher is starting to demonstrate the qualities that made him such a high-priority target in free agency. He's creating pressure and generating sacks. More importantly, he's improving his prowess against the run. This will be needed in no uncertain terms at the Baltimore Ravens.

Over-committing versus Jackson is simply not an option. He can escape pressure easily with even the slightest window to exploit. Maintaining discipline and keeping the two-time NFL MVP is critical. Anything less is going to cause significant problems in the secondary and at the defensive second level.

Armstrong is coming along nicely. He needs to put together a career-best performance in this one - something that would be a significant help to the Commanders as they go in search of their biggest statement win so far under the new regime.

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