Commanders-Ravens showdown deserves Super Bowl preview chatter

Dare we use the words “Super Bowl preview’’ when speaking of the 4-1 Commanders making the 30-mile trek north to play at 3-2 Baltimore on Sunday?For the Ravens, Super Bowl talk is somewhat familiar, considering they’ve been a winning franchise for the better part of the past decade and have one of the most dynamic players in the game in Lamar Jackson.For the Commanders, Super Bowl — or even playoffs — talk has been folly for the past decade under the horrible ownership of Daniel Snyder, who made an embarrassing mess of the once-proud franchise.Since the 2018 season, the Ravens are 66-33 and have been to the playoffs in five of the past six seasons.In that same span, the Commanders are 36-62-1 and don’t have a single winning season.The winds of perennial losing in Washington appear to be shifting quite dramatically, thanks in direct part to the addition of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, the first-round draft pick who appears to be a lock for Offensive Rookie of the Year.Daniels is completing an absurd 77.1 percent of his passes for 1,135 yards with six touchdowns, two interceptions and a rating of 106.2Jackson, has thrown for 1,206 yards with nine TDs, one INT and has a rating of 107.2.The Commanders are the leading scoring team in the league, and the Ravens are second.

Both quarterbacks have changed the fortunes of their respective franchises with their arms and legs.Jackson has rushed for 353 yards and two TDs on 53 carries.

Daniels has rushed for 300 yards and four TDs on 57 carries.“I don’t like when people really like try to compare me to Lamar and vice versa,” Daniels told reporters this week.“I want to be known as Jayden Daniels and not the next such and such.”Jackson told reporters he believes Daniels is “his own player, his own man” and that they two players are “just trying to make a name for ourselves.”Jackson, a two-time and reigning NFL MVP, already has done that.

Daniels is well on his way.This is what makes this ...