WEEK 2: BALTIMORE RAVENS AT DALLAS COWBOYS

When

Sunday, September 22nd at 4:25 p.m.

Where

AT&T Stadium (80,000)

Spread

Ravens are favored by 1 point (BetMGM Sportsbook)

How to Watch/Listen

Television: FOX / WBFF Channel 45 (Baltimore)

Radio: WBAL 1090 AM / 98Rock (97.9 FM) / SiriusXM Radio Channel 160 or 383

SERIES HISTORY
Baltimore leads the regular-season series 5-1 , including a 1-1 mark in Dallas. Under Coach John Harbaugh, the Ravens are 3-1 against the Cowboys. The teams last met on a Tuesday night in Baltimore during the 2020 Covid-affected season in which the Ravens won, 34-17.

NOTABLE
The Ravens have recorded more than 250 yards rushing three times in six games against the Cowboys. No team in NFL history has more games with at least 250 rushing yards when facing a single non-conference opponent than Baltimore against Dallas.

2024 RANKINGS
Ravens: Total Offense: 1; Total Defense: 15

Cowboys: Total Offense: 17; Total Defense: 19

RAVENS’ GAME PLAN

Offense

The Ravens have been effective in moving the ball. They are ranked seventh with rushing yards (168,0 yards per game) and fourth in passing (249.5 yards per game). However, the team has looked out of sync in the past two games. Quarterback Lamar Jackson has thrown for 520 yards with two touchdowns and an interception and he will test the Dallas pass defense, which is ranked 16th in the NFL, allowing 189.5 yards per game. Zay Flowers has caught 13 passes for 128 yards with a touchdown, but the rest of the wide receivers have struggled to make plays.

After setting career-highs with nine receptions for 111 yards and a 49-yard touchdown last week against the Chiefs, Jackson targeted tight end Isaiah Likely just three times. Likely finished with two catches for 26 yards. Fellow tight end Mark Andrews, who has been one of the Ravens’ top playmakers, had five targets, three more than last week. Andrews was second on the team with 51 yards receiving on five receptions, but he needs to be more involved in the offense.

Baltimore needs to get the running game revved up against Dallas. Derrick Henry had just 5 yards on seven carries in the first half against the Raiders. He got rolling in the third quarter and finished with 84 yards on 18 carries. The Cowboys allowed 190 yards rushing to the Saints last week, so Henry will have an opportunity to make plays.

Defense

The Ravens’ secondary has been susceptible to big plays, which could create some matchup challenges with Dallas wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who has caught nine passes for 151 yards with a touchdown. The Ravens rank last in passing defense, allowing 257.0 yards per game. Baltimore will need its safeties — Kyle Hamilton and Marcus Williams — to provide more support for the cornerbacks.

The good news for the Ravens is that the pass rush has been effective, registering six sacks in two games. Baltimore will need to keep the pressure on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, who has thrown for 472 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. The Ravens cannot allow Prescott too much time in the pocket or he will make plays downfield.

The Ravens have the league’s top run defense, allowing just 49.5 yards per game. The Cowboys have struggled to run the ball and average just 85 yards per game — 25th in the NFL — with Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle. The Ravens have been dominant against the run in the past two games but both the Chiefs and the Raiders made adjustments with the passing game and getting the tight ends involved.

Prediction

This is about as close as the Ravens can get to a must-win game in Week 3. Baltimore will face a huge uphill battle to make the playoffs at 0-3. There is a palpable sense of urgency among the players and coaches. The Ravens also have historically played well against Dallas and should be able to run the ball. The biggest challenge is closing out the game.

RAVENS 24, COWBOYS 22