Week 2 couldn’t have gone much worse for the Dallas Cowboys, as they got embarrassed by a high-octane New Orleans Saints team, 44-19.
The Cowboys’ Week 3 opponent, the Baltimore Ravens, figure to put up another tough fight. They come into town 0-2 and are desperate to get in the win column and avoid a dreaded 0-3 start, and Dallas is looking to avoid a two-game skid themselves.
Baltimore Ravens vs. Dallas Cowboys Game Preview
Both the Cowboys and the Ravens head into Week 3 feeling low about themselves. Both are coming off losses and are in desperate need of a win against one another this week.
The idea of the Cowboys dropping to 1-2 and the Ravens falling 0-3 felt almost unimaginable coming into the season, as both figured to be legitimate contenders in their conferences.
throw 🔙 to the last time the ravens came to Dallas@dak | @DezBryant
📺: Up next ➡️ #BALvsDAL 9/22 on FOX pic.twitter.com/sHs8PavsFD
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) September 19, 2024
However, a lot will be learned this week as both teams look to get back on the right side of things and focus on staying in lock-step on their respective playoff races.
The winner of this game will once again feel good about themselves and their legitimacy, while the loser will have more questions to answer heading into Week 4.
The Ravens hold a 5-1 advantage over the Cowboys in their all-time history.
5 Ravens-Cowboys Stats Ahead of Week 3
Stat: The 25-point loss last week to the Saints was the Cowboys’ biggest margin of defeat since the 49ers beat them 42-10 in Week 5 last season. Worry not – Dallas won seven of ita eight games as a response following that blowout.
Analysis: If there is any comfort takeaway from last week’s beatdown, it is that Dallas has proven to respond well the next week following those performances. Another case of that is needed this week as the Cowboys look to avoid falling below .500.
Stat: The eventual Super Bowl champion hasn’t opened a season 0-2 since the 2007 Giants (no team in the 2000s has won the Super Bowl following a 0-3 start – three have after a 1-2 start).
Analysis: History isn’t on the side of the Ravens with their start to the year, but that won’t matter to them as they lock in and try to get their first win of the season on the road in Dallas. Desperate teams are dangerous teams, and the Cowboys need to be prepared for that.
Stat: The Cowboys have the worst red zone defense in the league (TD on 85.7% of drives that reach the 20-yard line) but the 10th-best three-and-out rate (41.7%). They are a break-don’t-bend defense through two weeks.
Analysis: The entire presence of the Cowboys’ defense is perplexing, to say the least. They beat up on the Browns in Week 1, then turned around and got equally demolished by the Saints. Week 3 looks to be another real look at what this unit actually is, and how they respond will go a long way to learning more about them this season
Stat: The Ravens are allowing 6.2 yards after the catch this season, ranking in the bottom quarter of the league a year after they ranked in the top quarter.
Analysis: This is something CeeDee Lamb and Co. will look to take advantage of. With Lamb being one of the best receivers in the slot and with the ball in his hand after the catch, Dallas has a chance to make some things happen in the middle of the field in space this week.
Stat: Dak Prescott failed to throw multiple TD passes in five of six games to open last season before closing with two or more touchdown tosses in 10 of 11. He’s opened this season with a pair of one-touchdown efforts.
Analysis: Much is made about the early season production and how some teams and players hit the ground running better than others. In the case of Dak Prescott, who doesn’t play in preseason action, the early season has proven to be much of a build-up for him. He had career-high numbers last year with a similar start, and he and the Cowboys hope something similar happens once again in 2024.
Ravens vs. Cowboys Predictions
A lot will be learned about these two teams on Sunday.
Early in the season, both fresh off a loss, both teams will have every reason to come into the afternoon feeling desperation for a win. However, only one will feel satisfied coming out of the matchup.
The Ravens feel like the team that needs it more, but the Cowboys are coming in with their pride hurt for this one.
A strong case can be made that the Ravens are a bad matchup for the Cowboys, but given how Dallas responds the next week after a big loss, history says the team will come ready to play.
It should be a good game, but I think the Cowboys find a way to give the Ravens a 0-3 start.
Final Score Prediction: Dallas 33, Ravens 27
Ravens vs. Cowboys Prediction
David Bearman: Dallas
Adam Beasley: Dallas
Brian Blewis: Baltimore
Mike Gambardella: Baltimore
Jay Morrison: Baltimore
Dakota Randall: Baltimore
Dallas Robinson: Baltimore
Kyle Soppe: Baltimore
Dan Tomaro: Dallas
Ben Rolfe: Baltimore
Mike Wobschall: Dallas