Will the real Dallas Cowboys please stand up?
After a dominating season-opening win in Cleveland, the Cowboys were blown out at home by New Orleans. What will happen next when reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens roll into town?
Here’s how The Dallas Morning News’ columnists and beat writers see the game playing out:
Tim Cowlishaw
It’s awfully early to feel like the loser is in trouble, but … the loser is in trouble. In the Ravens’ case, they would be 0-3. In the Cowboys’ case, back-to-back home losses would shake the foundation. Hard for me to think the Ravens can’t get their running game going with Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry against this defense, but if Dak goes for 300 for the first time as a $60 Million Man, Dallas could win a tight one. Outside shot, though.
Ravens 30, Cowboys 26
Damon Marx
Conventional wisdom says the Cowboys, who can’t run the ball or stop the run, are in trouble against a run-oriented Ravens team led by league MVP Lamar Jackson. Well, nothing about the modern NFL is conventional. After two drastically different efforts, it’s time for the real Cowboys to stand up. Under Mike McCarthy and Dak Prescott, the Cowboys have lost two in a row only twice since 2021. If it happens this time, the head coach is officially on the hot seat.
Cowboys 30, Ravens 23
David Moore
Those looking for reasons to believe the Cowboys can rebound from their brutal loss to New Orleans don’t have to look far. Dallas is 12-2 following a loss since the start of the 2021 season. That ties them with Buffalo for the best winning percentage in the league in that department. It’s been part of their DNA under Mike McCarthy. Feel better? Do so at your own peril. The Cowboys face a winless Baltimore team more desperate than they are at the moment and a rushing attack Dallas is ill-equipped to stop.
Ravens 30, Cowboys 24
Abraham Nudelstejer
It’s only the third game of the NFL season, but the tension already is in the air for both teams. Two straight losses at home would be a tough emotional blow for the Cowboys. Three losses to open the season would force the Ravens to make an epic comeback to meet the high expectations they commanded before the season. Dallas will struggle to run the ball against the best run defense in the league. Baltimore has allowed an average of 49.5 yards per game and 2.7 yards per carry. Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott have run for 56 yards each in two games — that won’t be enough to help Dak Prescott and the passing attack. The Ravens will snatch their first game of the season.
Ravens 20, Cowboys 17
Kevin Sherrington
The only reason to pick the Cowboys over the Ravens this week is because Baltimore’s offense and quarterback look more like Cleveland’s and less like the Shanahan system that gives the Cowboys’ defense fits. Yes, Lamar Jackson is better than Deshaun Watson. Pretty much everyone is. But the Cowboys showed against the Browns the ability to use DeMarvion Overshown or Micah Parsons as spies, which should, in theory, limit Jackson’s effectiveness. Maybe.
Cowboys 24, Ravens 21
Calvin Watkins
It’s desperation time for the Ravens. The Cowboys, too. A loss for the Ravens knocks them from the AFC title conversation. A Cowboys’ loss doesn’t eliminate them from contention in the bad NFC East. All it does is give the media fodder heading into the Thursday night game at New York. So, we do believe the Ravens running game will take over in the second half. The Cowboys are still working through some things.
Ravens 27, Cowboys 20
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