Here are some of the key matchups to follow in this game:

Washington CBs Josh Norman and Quinton Dunbar vs. Baltimore WRs Steve Smith Sr. and Mike Wallace

Norman will reunite with Smith, his good friend and former Panthers teammate. The two faced off for some “epic battles” in practice, Norman says, and they’re very familiar with each other’s tendencies, strengths and weaknesses. Because of the threat of the speedy Wallace on the other side, it might be difficult for Joe Barry to put Norman on Smith for the entire game. Smith leads the Ravens with 24 catches and 281 yards; Wallace has 14 catches for 210 yards and three touchdowns. Quinton Dunbar will likely cover whomever Norman does not. He could probably use some safety help against Wallace. But the Redskins also will likely need to use Will Blackmon and/or Duke Ihenacho to help cover tight end Dennis Pitta, who has 21 catches for 200 yards. Washington’s defensive backs have their work cut out for them as they face Joe Flacco and his explosive cast of pass catchers.

Washington RG Brandon Scherff vs. Baltimore DT Timmy Jernigan

Scherff has gotten off to a strong start in his second season and he’ll need to continue his solid play against Jernigan, who has three sacks this season. Jernigan will do his best to increase that total by going after Kirk Cousins, and he’ll also try to disrupt Washington’s revived rushing attack.

Washington DT Chris Baker vs. Baltimore RG Marshal Yanda

Baker and his fellow defensive linemen need to win the battle in the trenches, particularly against Yanda, a five-time Pro Bowl guard and two-time all-pro selection (2014, 2015). That involves getting a good push off the line, shedding blocks and meeting the running back in the hole, wrapping up and bringing him to the ground. Baker has 15 tackles – twice as many as the second-highest total by a Redskins defensive lineman – but his struggling unit needs even more from him.

Washington WR DeSean Jackson vs. Baltimore LT CB Jimmy Smith

The Redskins will likely have to put up a lot of points to have a chance against the Ravens, and Jackson is eager to help. Cousins went to him twice on deep passes against the Browns, and although neither ended in a completion, the speedy Jackson drew pass-interference calls for big yardage on each. Jackson wants more, and that will challenge Smith. Look for Cousins to spread the ball around to favorite mid-range targets Jordan Reed and Jamison Crowder, but he’ll also try to get Jackson involved in a bigger way this week.

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Washington ILBs Will Compton, Mason Foster vs. Baltimore RB Terrance West

The Redskins also need more from Compton and Foster, who have struggled against the run and failed to make tackles on occasion. West is averaging 4.2 yards per carry while splitting time with Justin Forsett. But Forsett was cut this week and West will have a heavier workload. Washington gives up 4.9 yards per carry and has to start to lowering that average.

Washington LT Trent Williams vs. Baltimore OLB Terrell Suggs

Williams and Suggs are two of the best at their respective positions. Suggs – a six-time Pro Bowl pick – has three sacks and leads a defense that has held opponents to 176 passing yards a game (third fewest in the league). Williams – a four-time Pro Bowl selection – leads a line that has done well in protecting Cousins, surrendering only seven sacks (fifth-fewest in the league) — and at least two of those came when Cousins failed to throw the ball away.