Ravens @ Commanders
Final Score: Ravens 30, Commanders 3
Writer: Brett Ford (@FadeThatMan)
It was a one-sided matchup for most of the afternoon in Landover, as the Baltimore Ravens scored three touchdowns and three field goals while holding the Commanders to just three points. This game – much like most of the Preseason Week 3 games being played over the weekend – was as much about who was playing as it was about who wasn’t. With both teams resting key players at the skill positions, some interesting personnel decisions may be indicators as to where the depth charts currently stand – which was especially notable for the Commanders. If Ravens rookie kicker Tyler Loop hasn’t already established himself as a worthy replacement for Pro Bowler Justin Tucker, he certainly did this weekend with three field goals, including a 61-yarder. Let’s dig in.
Three Up
- Jacory Croskey-Merritt – “Bill” as he’s been lovingly referred to in most places, sat this one out with the rest of the important skill position players, potentially indicating a large Week 1 role.
- Jaylin Lane – See above – plus Luke McCaffrey and KJ Osborn played in this one, suggesting Lane passed him on the depth chart.
- Rasheen Ali – Ali looked good in all facets of the game, pulling in all five of his targets and scoring a rushing touchdown.
Two Down
- Keaton Mitchell – Missed his second-straight preseason game with a hamstring strain, but the team has indicated he’ll be ready for Week 1.
- Sam Hartman – The rookie out of Notre Dame struggled, throwing a pair of interceptions and generating only one scoring drive in the first half.
Baltimore Ravens
Quarterback
Cooper Rush: 5/5, 59 Yards
Rush was accurate in his limited time, leading the team to a pair of rush-heavy touchdown drives. His best throw came on a play-action crossing route to Wester, who caught it in stride for a 22-yard gain. Through three preseason games, Rush has looked like one of the best backups in the NFL.
Devin Leary: 17/23, 71 Yards | 2 Carries, 9 Yards
The 17-for-23 performance was his best of the preseason, but the 3.1 yards per completion was abysmal by any standard. He’s not making the 53-man, and Ravens fans won’t even want to see him as the emergency quarterback.
Running Back
D’Ernest Johnson: 17 carries, 45 yards, TD | 3 targets, 3 receptions, 18 yards
Johnson has done everything that the Ravens have asked of him and done it well. However, he may end up as a cut at the end of the weekend anyway. He’s certainly proven that he still has some juice left in the tank, so don’t be surprised if his name pops up – whether in Baltimore or elsewhere – at some point this season.
Rasheen Ali: 9 carries, 36 yards, TD | 5 targets, 5 receptions, 16 yards
After watching the last two Ravens preseason games, it certainly feels as if Ali has done enough to make the 53-man roster. He looked decisive in his running, caught every target out of the backfield, and has shown his worth on special teams this preseason as well. His touchdown run today should have been the icing on the proverbial cake.
RASHEEN ALI TOUCHDOWN. HERD! pic.twitter.com/EWZ12Pog7j
— Zach Bollinger (@zachbollinger18) August 23, 2025
Myles Gaskin: 5 carries, 7 yards | 2 targets, 2 receptions, 13 yards
Wide Receiver/Tight End
LaJohntay Wester: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 28 yards | 1 carry, 5 yards
Wester looked good on his limited touches, as the Ravens used him in a similar fashion to how I assume they intend to use Zay Flowers. Wester could factor in as a gadget player or returner for the Ravens as early as Week 1. His speed and shiftiness could factor in immediately.
Scotty Washington: 4 targets, 4 receptions, 20 yards
Xavier Guillory: 5 targets, 3 receptions, 17 yards
Dayton Wade: 1 target, 1 reception, 15 yards
Jahmal Banks: 1 target, 1 reception, 6 yards
Keith Kirkwood: 1 target, 0 receptions
Anthony Miller: 3 targets, 0 receptions
Malik Cunningham: 1 target, 1 reception, -3 yards
Not much to report through the Ravens’ depth receivers and tight ends. We may see one or two of these names as special-teamers, but that’s about it.
Washington Commanders
Quarterback
Josh Johnson: 7/13, 50 yards, INT | 1 carry, 2 yards
Sam Hartman: 12/17, 114 yards, 2 INT | 1 carry, 9 yards
Both quarterbacks struggled in this one, with Hartman playing the first half and making a couple of really poor decisions. His worst throw came in the second quarter when he seemed to pre-determine where he was going to throw the ball, chucked it out wide to that receiver, and made it easy for the Ravens’ defensive back to jump the route.
Keyon Martin needs to make the 53 man roster pic.twitter.com/Dc86N0Hpj8
— The Ravens Realm (@RealmRavens) August 23, 2025
Even at 38 years old, Johnson might be the better choice for the Commanders as the emergency third quarterback. But as a veteran, he may opt to join a team with a better opportunity for him.
Running Back
Chris Rodriguez Jr.: 5 carries, 34 yards
Rodriguez has shown patience and burst this preseason. He fits well into this scheme and could have a shot at taking over Robinson’s early-down running back role. He’ll have to battle with JCM, who didn’t play in this one. It remains unclear how the Washington backfield will break down.
Chris Rodriguez (#36) All-22 vs Ravens
5 carries
34 yds
6.8 AVG#RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/km74DW7OMD— brandon (@JayDanielsMVP) August 24, 2025
Kazmeir Allen: 8 carries, 36 yards
Demetric Felton: 8 carries, 4 yards
Jeremy McNichols: 3 carries, -4 yards
Not a great day for McNichols, who is likely on the outside looking in when it comes to the running back room, though he may make the team for special teams purposes.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Luke McCaffrey: 5 targets, 5 receptions, 23 yards
McCaffrey’s presence on the field was a red flag for dynasty managers who may still have him on their roster. He may still make the Commanders’ 53-man, but the fact that Jaylin Lane did NOT play signals that McCaffrey may have fallen on the depth chart.
K.J. Osborn: 4 targets, 2 receptions, 12 yards
Osborn is another receiver who should be safe when roster cuts roll around, but it isn’t a guarantee. He pulled in a pair of catches on four targets in this one, but his body of work should be enough to set him apart from the rest on the roster bubble.
Colson Yankoff: 2 targets, 1 reception, 52 yards
Yankoff had one of the Commanders’ only offensive highlights of the day, finding a gap in the Ravens’ zone, pulling in a catch, and sprinting for a 52-yard gain. He may still get cut, but he’ll have that video forever.
Ja’Corey Brooks: 7 targets, 4 receptions, 24 yards
Lawrence Cager: 4 targets, 2 receptions, 19 yards
Michael Gallup: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 13 yards
Jacoby Jones: 1 target, 1 reception, 10 yards
Tay Martin: 2 targets, 1 reception, 6 yards
Chris Moore: 1 target, 1 reception, 5 yards