OWINGS MILLS — The Ravens have struggled to cover two of the NFL’s top wide receivers in the first two games of the season, and they will face another huge challenge Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys’ top playmaker CeeDee Lamb.
Entering the Week 3 game, Baltimore has the NFL’s 32-ranked pass defense, allowing 257 yards per game.
“[Lamb] is one of the very best in the National Football League,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “He’s obviously well respected. He’s a threat; they move him around; they motion him; they shift him; they put him inside [and] put him outside; run him on pretty much every different route they have. I believe he’s the first in progression most of the time.”
The Ravens need to do a better job containing the big plays downfield. The cornerbacks have been beaten in man coverage because they have not gotten much support from the safeties.
Teams also have attacked the middle of the field because there’s been a breakdown in the Ravens’ communication and making sure players are in the correct position.
In the season opener, Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice caught seven passes for 103 yards in the Ravens 27-20 loss.
Last Sunday, the Ravens struggled to cover Davante Adams, who finished with 110 yards on nine receptions with a touchdown in the Las Vegas Raiders’ 26-23 victory.
Lamb, who signed a four-year, $136 million contract with the Cowboys in August, also has the talent to create big plays.
In his first year in Dallas, Lamb caught a team rookie-record 74 passes for 935 yards and five touchdowns. He became the first player in NFL history to start a rookie season with six consecutive games of five or more catches.
Lamb had his best year as a pro in 2023 when he led the NFL with 135 receptions for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns. He earned All-Pro honors for the first time and is already a three-time Pro Bowler.
The key for the Ravens might be to keep the pressure on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. The Ravens’ pass rush has been solid with five sacks in two games.
“We’re going to have to make sure we take care of [Lamb] and try to re-route him when we get a chance; try to move the coverage to him or away from him when we get a chance based on what the scheme is,” Harbaugh said. “And try to do the best we can to keep him under control.”