Lamar Jackson beats rookie Jayden Daniels, leads the Ravens past the Commanders and strengthens his own MVP case

A sensational start to his career with the Washington Commanders brought rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels into the MVP conversation. But the reigning NFL MVP came out on top Sunday in a duel with two of the league's most powerful quarterbacks.

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

The win was Baltimore's fourth straight after an 0-2 start and solidified Jackson's own desire for the third MVP trophy of his career. The Ravens won with the same formula that gave them a three-game winning streak entering Sunday – an offensive one-two 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 scored three touchdowns in three quarters to give Baltimore a 27-13 lead. Daniels countered with a two-touchdown attempt, including a fourth-down throw in a tight window to Terry McLaurin, to cut Washington's fourth-quarter deficit to one touchdown.

The score increased the pressure on Baltimore, with 12:12 remaining in regulation. The Ravens responded with a nine-play, 57-yard drive that ended with 5:54 left. It ended with a 39-yard field goal by Justin Tucker to extend the Ravens' lead back to two possessions. It was the Ravens' fifth straight drive that ended with a score.

Baltimore limited Washington to a field goal on the ensuing drive. It then ran the remaining 2:13 minutes and secured victory.

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

Jackson joined early with second-year receiver Zay Flowers, who had nine catches for a career-high 132 yards in the first half. Then he found Mark Andrews for a 13-yard touchdown just before halftime to give the Ravens the lead for good, 17-10.

Meanwhile, Henry scored Baltimore's first touchdown, giving 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.

As the Ravens tried to slow down the clock on their final drive, they handed off to Henry on four consecutive plays before Jackson tied the game with a quarterback keeper for the game-winning first down.

Henry finished the game with 24 carries for 132 yards and two touchdowns. It was his third attempt at more than 100 rushing yards in his first six games for 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 defeat while continuing his remarkable rookie season. He completed 24 of 35 passes for 269 yards with two touchdowns and no turnovers. It just wasn't enough to overcome a stalled Ravens offense. Both teams leave Sunday's game 4-2 and sit atop their respective divisions.