To varying degrees, both the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys enter their Week 3 matchup needing to set things straight. This is almost a pick ‘em game, with the winless Ravens favored by a slim margin on the road.
Troubles? The Cowboys don’t want to hear about the Baltimore problems. Dallas was thumped 44-19 by the Saints in its home opener last week. In that embarrassing defeat, the Cowboys allowed more than 400 yards, with a good balance on the ground and in the air.
Speaking of defense, that is the question for Mike McCarthy, now in his fifth season in Dallas and still with only one playoff win in his tenure. Hot seat indeed, and McCarthy may need to lean even more heavily on the arm of recently re-signed quarterback Dak Prescott. But a passer rating of 81.4 won’t cut it for Prescott and the Cowboys, especially against the relentless defense that Baltimore puts on the field.
The Ravens have to avoid self-destruction. The team has 173 yards in penalties, the second-worst in the league. Baltimore has played well enough to win each of its first two games. Their net yard differential is the fourth-best in the league, ahead of a few 2-0 teams, including Kansas City. Can luck be blamed? At least a little: the Ravens have only two turnovers, but one was a blind side strip sack, and the other was a fluky interception. They lead the NFL in yards and are fourth in first downs. Lamar Jackson isn’t the problem.
The Ravens need to shore up their pass defense (ranked last in opponent passing yards through two weeks). But it’s unclear where the improvement can come from: The roster is what it is. John Harbaugh’s track record is one of aggressive linebacker and secondary play. Such a tactic, performed by lesser talent, could be unwise against Prescott.
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Baltimore Ravens at Dallas Cowboys odds
How to watch Ravens at Cowboys
- Venue: AT&T Stadium — Arlington, Tex.
- Time: 4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday
- TV: FOX
- Streaming: Fubo (try for free)
Expert picks for Ravens at Cowboys
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(Photo of Lamar Jackson: Rob Carr / Getty Images)
