Landover, Md. — The Baltimore Ravens travel to Northwest Stadium to face the Washington Commanders in their final preseason game on August 23, 2025, with kickoff set for noon. The matchup, broadcast on ESPN+ for out-of-market viewers and locally on WBAL Channel 11 in Baltimore, WJLA in Washington, WWCW in Roanoke, WUPV in Richmond, WTVZ-TV in Norfolk, WMDT in Delmarva and additional affiliates, features the Ravens’ announcing team of Gerry Sandusky on play-by-play, Rod Woodson as analyst and Evan Washburn on the sideline. Radio coverage airs on WBAL 1090 AM/101.5 FM, 98 Rock at 97.9 FM and a TV simulcast.
Both teams enter the contest focused on finalizing 53-man rosters ahead of the August 26 deadline, with backups and fringe players vying for spots in this Ravens vs Commanders preseason tilt. Baltimore stands at 2-0 in exhibition play after victories over the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys, while Washington seeks its first preseason win following losses to the New England Patriots and another opponent.
In their last preseason encounter in 2023, the Commanders edged the Ravens 29-28 on a 49-yard field goal as time expired, ending Baltimore’s league-record 24-game preseason winning streak. Josh Johnson threw for 145 yards and two touchdowns for Washington, including one to then-rookie Zay Flowers. Overall, the Ravens hold a 5-3 edge in the series, which dates to 1997, though preseason games emphasize development over records. This year’s Ravens vs Commanders preseason game continues a tradition of regional rivalries, with joint practices between the teams canceled earlier this month to preserve player health.
For the Ravens, key storylines center on depth evaluations as the regular season approaches. Reserve safeties Sanoussi Kane, Beau Brade and Reuben Lowery aim to secure roster spots after strong training camps. Kane has taken first-team reps, while Brade and Lowery have impressed with playmaking. In last week’s win over Dallas, the trio contributed to a defense that limited the Cowboys’ offense. Another focus is quarterbacks Cooper Rush and Devin Leary, who combined for 251 passing yards against Dallas after a sluggish opener. Rush handled the first half with 198 yards on 20 of 30 attempts. Head Coach John Harbaugh plans similar reps for both against Washington, building confidence for potential regular-season roles.
Running back Rasheen Ali looks to lock in as the fourth back behind Derrick Henry, Justice Hill and Keaton Mitchell. Harbaugh confirmed plans to carry four runners, and Ali’s 62 yards on 19 carries versus Dallas, plus his kick-return value, bolster his case. A solid outing in this Ravens vs Commanders preseason finale could cement his position.
Players to watch for Baltimore include defensive lineman Aneas Peebles, a sixth-round rookie praised for his elite get-off and improved run defense by coach Dennis Johnson. Safety Beau Brade, a second-year player and special teams contributor last season, deflected passes and intercepted one in recent practices. “Beau is good enough to make the team, and he’s right there with those decisions we’re going to have to make,” Harbaugh said. “But, I think I would be very comfortable with Beau being out there playing football for us, playing special teams and playing defense.” Inside linebacker Jay Higgins IV has nine tackles, an interception, a sack-strip and multiple pass deflections through two games, potentially forcing a decision on keeping five at the position.
On the Commanders’ side, storylines highlight battles for depth amid a rebuilding effort in Year 2 under head coach Dan Quinn. Wide receiver depth remains a concern, with veterans K.J. Osborn, Michael Gallup and Chris Moore failing to stand out in camp, leaving room for younger players to emerge. Overall, Washington seeks to build momentum after an 0-2 preseason start, focusing on special teams and backups as starters like quarterback Jayden Daniels may see limited or no action to avoid injury.
Commanders players to watch include rookie wide receiver Luke McCaffrey, who has shown promise in limited reps and could address the position’s thinness with a strong performance. Linebacker Jordan Magee, a draft pick, brings athleticism to the defense and aims to earn rotational snaps. Running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt, preferring the nickname Bill, intrigues as an undrafted free agent with speed and vision, potentially factoring into backfield decisions. Offensive lineman Timothy McKay and cornerback Robert McDaniel round out key reserves, with McKay bolstering protection and McDaniel competing in the secondary.
This Ravens vs Commanders preseason matchup underscores the NFL’s emphasis on roster trimming, with teams required to cut from 90 to 53 players by 4 p.m. on August 26. Preseason games like this provide critical evaluations, especially for undrafted and late-round talents.
Baltimore’s preseason dominance under Harbaugh stands at 46-17 straight up, including a perfect mark before the 2023 loss to Washington. For the Commanders, coming off a 12-5 2024 campaign that surprised observers, this game caps a preseason aimed at integrating upgrades around Daniels.
The Ravens open the regular season September 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs, while Washington hosts the New York Giants on September 8. Outcomes from this Ravens vs Commanders preseason game could shape depth charts and practice squads, influencing early-season preparations.
