Garrett Downing: This was a better showing for the Ravens, especially the offense. Joe Flacco looked in command and moved the offense down the field. They need to clean up the mistakes and score touchdowns on some of those drives where they get in the red zone, but overall the group showed improvement in the no-huddle offense. Defensively, the secondary struggled with stopping Calvin Johnson once safeties Ed Reed and Bernard Pollard came off the field. Johnson is arguably the best receiver in the NFL, but the cornerbacks have had a tough time stopping the pass in consecutive weeks. And finally, the kicking battle between Justin Tucker and Billy Cundiff continues to stay interesting as they were both perfect on Friday night. That is a competition that could come all the way down to the wire.

Sarah Ellison: That’s what a successful up-tempo, no-huddle offense is supposed to look like. What a difference from last week. The starters didn’t come up with a touchdown because of a few mistakes in the red zone, but they moved the ball between the 20s and Joe Flacco looked in command at the line of scrimmage. The fast pace was taxing on the Detroit defense and factored into two Lions offsides penalties in the first quarter. Just imagine it with Torrey Smith, Dennis Pitta and Ed Dickson in the lineup. Unlike the offense, the secondary’s performance was not an improvement from the Atlanta game. The unit struggled with Julio Jones last week and wanted redemption against Calvin Johnson, but didn’t get it. “Megatron” finished with 111 yards and a touchdown on five receptions. Fans finally got to see running back Bernard Pierce in action for the first time and he looked impressive, showing explosiveness with some (correctable) rookie mistakes. Rookies Deonte Thompson and Asa Jackson had special moments to savor even though their touchdowns were brought back. Others who stood out: Matt Birk, Paul Kruger, LaQuan Williams, Omar Brown (again). Room for improvement: Jimmy Smith, Cary Williams, Courtney Upshaw, Nigel Carr and Tyrod Taylor (throwing, not rushing).

PLEASE NOTE: The opinions, analysis and/or speculation expressed on BaltimoreRavens.com represent those of individual authors, and unless quoted or clearly labeled as such, do not represent the opinions or policies of the Baltimore Ravens’ organization, front office staff, coaches and executives. Authors’ views are formulated independently from any inside knowledge and/or conversations with Ravens officials, including the coaches and scouts, unless otherwise noted.

According to the scoreboard, the Ravens’ pass coverage was spectacular Saturday night versus the Redskins. No touchdowns, only one field goal.

But 401 yards through the air, including 206 in the first half at the hands of Donovan McNabb, is too much for Head Coach John Harbaugh.

“The passing yards are a concern, obviously,” Harbaugh said Monday. “When I stood up there after the game I didn’t realize they threw for that many yards against us because I felt we were playing pretty well for the most part.”

Much of the damage was done over the middle of the field, particularly against the Ravens’ linebackers. McNabb completed seven of his 11 completions to the short middle of the field, where linebackers are often left in coverage, especially if others are blitzing.

Washington converted three third downs on the first drive alone, including a 13-yarder to Santana Moss, who hung on despite getting leveled by Ray Lewis. Then Redskins tight end Chris Cooley converted a third-and-14 by breaking away from middle linebacker Tavares Gooden. That set up the 45-yard bomb over the deep middle that eventually led to Washington’s only points.

Gooden is one of the Ravens’ top coverage linebackers and Jameel McClain, who started Saturday’s game, has also shown great improvement in that area. Brendon Ayanbadejo, who remains on the Physically Unable to Perform list, excelled in that role last year but when he will return is unknown.

Harbaugh thought the players themselves did a good job.

“We have guys that can cover, no question about it,” Harbaugh said. “I’m not worried about that at all.”

Harbaugh said the Ravens have a lot of different coverages from last year. He said they need to work out some details in two-deep coverage and quarters coverage, but that’s what the preseason is for.

“It’s funny because during the week of practice I felt like we really made progress with our basic zone drops with the linebackers handling routes,” Harbaugh said. “Then in the game we weren’t quite there. We want to transfer that improvement to the game this week if we can.”

PLEASE NOTE: The opinions, analysis and/or speculation expressed on BaltimoreRavens.com represent those of individual authors, and unless quoted or clearly labeled as such, do not represent the opinions or policies of the Baltimore Ravens’ organization, front office staff, coaches and executives. Authors’ views are formulated independently from any inside knowledge and/or conversations with Ravens officials, including the coaches and scouts, unless otherwise noted.

The Ravens had labored to move the ball on offense throughout the first half of their 23-3 preseason win over the Washington Redskins, so they relied on special teams to provide a spark.

Facing fourth-and-7 at the 6:29 mark of the second quarter, Special Teams Coordinator Jerry Rosburg sensed a perfect moment to call a fake punt, and safety Haruki Nakamura cashed in.

Nakamura took the direct snap and shimmied 51 yards to the Redskins’ 1-yard line, setting up an ensuing touchdown plunge by Willis McGahee to take a 10-3 lead.

“I was pleased when it worked,” Head Coach John Harbaugh said.  “It wasn’t a preseason-type decision.  That’s a basic play that most people have in on their punt team. But they were in a situation where they were in a six-box, they were doubling both vice guys at the 50-yard line with fourth-and-7.  [There was] a really good returner down there that’s capable of taking it 90 yards.

“You just can’t really let them get into that kind of a configuration and give them a chance to get a big return.”

Nakamura said he was in high school when he last tried a fake punt, but it didn’t look like he was rusty.  The University of Cincinnati product broke a few tackles before finally being brought down.

“I think the last time I ran the ball like that was on an interception in college,” Nakamura said with a laugh.

Nakamura, who was one of the Ravens’ top special teamers before his 2009 campaign ended early with an ankle injury in Week 10, thinks that his run is an omen of things to come with Baltimore’s special teams units.

“As a special teams group, that’s the type of thing we want to do this year,” said Nakamura.  “We want to be a difference-maker.  We want to be the best special teams in the NFL.  We have an offense that is very explosive.

“It’s time for us as a special teams group to really make an impact.”

PLEASE NOTE: The opinions, analysis and/or speculation expressed on BaltimoreRavens.com represent those of individual authors, and unless quoted or clearly labeled as such, do not represent the opinions or policies of the Baltimore Ravens’ organization, front office staff, coaches and executives. Authors’ views are formulated independently from any inside knowledge and/or conversations with Ravens officials, including the coaches and scouts, unless otherwise noted.

Offensive tackles Jared Gaither and Oniel Cousins are among the nine Ravens that will not play Saturday night against the Washington Redskins.

In addition to those two tackles, safety Ed Reed, defensive back Marcus Paschal, running back Matt Lawrence, linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo, and offensive linemen David Hale, Oniel Cousins, Daniel Sanders and Stefan Rodgers will not be active.

Stepping up for the short-handed tackle position is Tony Moll, while Tom Zbikowski will start for Reed.

The Redskins have only two scratches – wideouts Malcolm Kelly and Mike Furrey.

Reed was seen on the field during pre-game warmups, having just returned to the Mid-Atlantic from a stint rehabbing his hip injury with his trainers in Atlanta.

Meanwhile, the Ravens might have the services of cornerback Chris Carr, who only recently returned to full action on the practice field on Thursday.  Carr played the first few snaps last week against the Carolina Panthers before being pulled with a sore hamstring.

PLEASE NOTE: The opinions, analysis and/or speculation expressed on BaltimoreRavens.com represent those of individual authors, and unless quoted or clearly labeled as such, do not represent the opinions or policies of the Baltimore Ravens’ organization, front office staff, coaches and executives. Authors’ views are formulated independently from any inside knowledge and/or conversations with Ravens officials, including the coaches and scouts, unless otherwise noted.

Saturday’s matchup between the Ravens and Washington Redskins marks the third meeting between brothers Dawan and Laron Landry, but a perfect meeting won’t happen.

Both players are safeties, and starters at that.

So, unless there is a random special teams scenario where they line up across from each other, they’ll have to call it even again.

“I’d love to see him on special teams, maybe with me as a gunner and he has to block me,” said Dawan with a laugh.  ”We’d get after it for about 15 yards.  Someone’s going to get it then.”

But that is unlikely.

Dawan won’t make it past the first quarter in the Ravens’ second preseason contest.  Neither should Laron.

Their sibling rivalry runs deep, though.

When they were kids, their father, Frank Landry, had them settle differences with boxing gloves.

As they matured, Dawan was the offensive leader as quarterback of Hanville High School, while Laron – two years younger – helmed the defense.

By the time they went to college, Dawan switched to safety at Georgia Tech and Laron starred at safety for LSU.

The Ravens made Dawan their fifth-round selection in the 2006 draft, while Laron was the sixth-overall pick of the 2007 draft.

“It’s always fun to see your brother over on the other sideline,” said Dawan, who also noted that he hasn’t talked to his brother in a few weeks.  ”I’ll talk to him on the field, I’m sure.  I might call him tonight.”

The Landry’s parents will be in attendance at FedEx Field. Who will they be rooting for?  Well, Dawan says those interests are on a week-to-week basis.

“They come to all of our games, between the Redskins and Ravens,” he explained.  ”When they can see us play, they’ll be there.”

PLEASE NOTE: The opinions, analysis and/or speculation expressed on BaltimoreRavens.com represent those of individual authors, and unless quoted or clearly labeled as such, do not represent the opinions or policies of the Baltimore Ravens’ organization, front office staff, coaches and executives. Authors’ views are formulated independently from any inside knowledge and/or conversations with Ravens officials, including the coaches and scouts, unless otherwise noted.

The Ravens’ leading offensive generator, Ray Rice, didn’t get a single touch in Baltimore’s 17-12 win over the Carolina Panthers last week.

According to Head Coach John Harbaugh, that plan could continue Saturday against the Washington Redskins, whether Rice is tapping him on the shoulder or not.

“Ray’s a competitor,” Harbaugh said.  ”He wants to play, and we’ll be smart with Ray. He’ll play as much as he needs to in the next few games, but Ray is going to play a lot in the regular season, too.”

Rice, who finished second in the NFL with 2,041 yards from scrimmage last year, isn’t worried about his playing time after getting only a few snaps against Carolina.

The former second-round draft pick thinks that his hard work and physical nature in practice every day will bring him up to game speed by the time Baltimore opens its season opener Sept. 13 against the New York Jets.

That’s not to say he doesn’t want to play, but any action before Week 1 is just gravy.

“Our schedule is pretty brutal, and I know I get tackled enough in practice,” Rice explained.  ”I feel like I take live reps in practice.  I feel like those are game reps, so that really helps me get ready for the live hits on gameday.

“However much they want to put me out there, I’m going to go out and give it 100 percent.  Until then, I’m going to work hard in practice.”

Rice did admit that he’s anxious to face another team after only seeing purple and white jerseys all offseason.

“It’s always great to see another color,” said Rice.  ”But one thing about our team is that we’re gelling right now, and I think they trust me and trust that I’m going to be ready.  The coaches know that I’m always polishing my game, whether that’s in the film room, on the practice field, or in the game.

“If they need me to get a game rep to work on my blocking or something like that, that’s cool with me.”

PLEASE NOTE: The opinions, analysis and/or speculation expressed on BaltimoreRavens.com represent those of individual authors, and unless quoted or clearly labeled as such, do not represent the opinions or policies of the Baltimore Ravens’ organization, front office staff, coaches and executives. Authors’ views are formulated independently from any inside knowledge and/or conversations with Ravens officials, including the coaches and scouts, unless otherwise noted.

Ravens cornerback Fabian Washington will play in Saturday’s preseason game against the Washington Redskins, Head Coach John Harbaugh confirmed Wednesday.

It will be Washington’s first game since tearing his anterior cruciate ligament on Nov. 22 last year against the Indianapolis Colts.

“I’m excited,” Washington said. “I think I’m going to step on the field this Saturday. I can test [my knee] out on some grass.”

Washington has been fully practicing for the past couple weeks, but didn’t play in the Ravens’ first preseason game against the Carolina Panthers at M&T Bank Stadium because he didn’t want to risk reinjuring his knee on the new, somewhat soft turf. The Redskins’ FedEx Field has natural grass.

Cornerback Chris Carr’s (hamstring) status is still unknown. He said he will judge whether he feels ready to play Saturday after he fully practices Thursday. Carr lobbied to play against the Panthers after he was declared inactive, but didn’t stay in long.

“Last week playing in the game, that first play kind of hurt a little bit and I kind of got a little over-anxious a little bit,” Carr said. “When you’re out here you don’t want to feel like you’re milking it. You want to practice, you want to play. I felt really good today.”