OWINGS MILL — The pundits are mixed with the Ravens and Cowboys predictions for Week 3.
Here is the roundup:
Analysis: “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.”
Prediction: Ravens 24, Cowboys 22
Analysis: “The good news for the Ravens is that the interior of the Cowboys’ defensive line has been vulnerable against the run and Derrick Henry, who lives in Dallas in the offseason, probably hasn’t forgotten that the Cowboys didn’t even bother calling him when he was a free agent this offseason. But it won’t matter if Baltimore’s offensive line can’t create holes to run through and Lamar Jackson can’t get it in sync with his receivers against a defense that was shredded by Alvin Kamara and the New Orleans Saints last week.” Brian Wacker
Prediction: Cowboys 20, Ravens 17
Analysis: “It’s hard to trust Baltimore these days. They struggle to hold leads. They have gotten gashed up the middle of the field and haven’t found a way to make up for the loss of Patrick Queen. And they inexplicably abandon their running game. Dallas has its own faults, but I would think the Cowboys move CeeDee Lamb to the middle of the field to take advantage of Baltimore’s weakness there.” Lorenzo Reyes
Prediction: Reyes: Cowboys 23, Ravens 20; Tyler Dragon: Ravens 23, Cowboys 20; Richard Morin: Cowboys 29, Ravens 26; Jordan Mendoza: Cowboys 30, Ravens 29
Analysis: “We did not see this 0-2 start for Baltimore coming. We don’t see Lamar Jackson and company falling to 0-3, either.” Jeremy Cluff
Prediction: Ravens 30, Cowboys 24
Analysis: “It feels like this one will be close, and maybe ugly, so I will (with more reluctance than last week) hitch my wagon to the home team.” Tom Blair
Prediction: Blair: Cowboys 25-20; Ali Bhanpuri: Ravens 24-22; Brooke Cersosim: Ravens 25-22; Dan Parr: Ravens 29-27; Gennaro Filice: Cowboys 27-24
Analysis: “The Cowboys allowed 190 rushing yards in Week 2, and Lamar Jackson presents a challenge for that pass rush led by Micah Parsons. Are the Cowboys really going to lose back-to-back home games? Baltimore is 5-1 S/U all-time against Dallas. This will be the most entertaining game of the week as a result.” Bill Bender
Prediction: Ravens 30, Cowboys 24
Analysis: “With both defenses struggling, I think what this means is that we’re going to get a good old-fashioned shootout … I won’t be surprised if this game comes down to a field goal, which means I’m going to take the team with the better kicker, and right now, I think Brandon Aubrey is better than Justin Tucker.” John Breech
Prediction: Cowboys 30, Ravens 27