Dallas Cowboys vs. Baltimore Ravens: Authors’ predictions for the home game

The Cowboys could really use a win this week after being beaten at home by the Saints. But they welcome a Ravens team that also desperately needs a win as they are currently 0-2. This game promises to be a very competitive matchup between two teams trying to figure out their identities. Let's see what our writers expect.

When Baltimore has the ball

All eyes on Lamar Jackson

You don't have to be a football expert to tell you that the key to stopping the Ravens offense is to focus on reigning MVP Lamar Jackson. That offense is rightfully controlled by Jackson. The dual-threat quarterback is on pace to set a career high in pass attempts — one year after setting his current career high — and also leads the team in rushing yards.

Baltimore has been more pass-happy than usual with Jackson at quarterback in the last two games this year, and the Cowboys will have to hope that continues after their run defense took a hit last week. But whether Jackson is passing or running, they need to keep him under control at all times. Dallas used DeMarvion Overshown to great effect as a spy for Deshaun Watson in the season opener, and a similar tactic should be used this week.

When Dallas has the ball

YAC it on

The Ravens' defense has experienced some unexpected teething issues under new defensive coordinator Zach Orr, particularly in the passing game. Their starting seven defensive backs have remained strong in the run game, but the secondary has been beaten more often than not.

Their biggest problem has been locking down pass receivers. Only six teams have a lower average depth of target on passing plays, but the Ravens have allowed the most yards after the catch in the league. The Cowboys have several great YAC receiver options: CeeDee Lamb was second in YAC last year and Jake Ferguson was sixth among tight ends. KaVontae Turpin has also shown some YAC potential, although his playing time on offense is limited. If the Cowboys can max it out and get their guys some great YAC opportunities, they can move the ball against this usually great defense.

Now to the predictions of your BTB authors…

Tom Ryle (0-2):

The Cowboys need to get their ship back on track quickly. To do that, they need to beat a Ravens team that is desperate to avoid a 3-0 deficit. I think it will come down to which team looks inside the best and finds the will to win. Unfortunately, I fear it won't be Dallas.

Baltimore wins 31-23.

Matt Holleran (0-2):

The Cowboys and Ravens both come into this matchup on the back of a very bad losing streak. While Dallas' crushing loss to the Saints was brutal, Baltimore's blown fourth-quarter lead against the Raiders was equally demoralizing.

Both teams could benefit greatly from a win in this game, but the Ravens almost have to win if they want to have any chance at making the playoffs. I just don't think Baltimore falls back to 0-3, and nothing the Cowboys have accomplished offensively this season makes me think they can keep up with Baltimore. I think the offense will play an average game again, but Dallas' defensive problems continue.

Give me the Ravens, 30-20.

Jess Haynie (1-1):

The Cowboys' problems in the running game won't be solved in a week, and Baltimore can do a lot of damage there. Their best chance is to do what the Chiefs and Raiders did against the Ravens, which is to blast them out of the air. Jake Ferguson's expected return gives the Cowboys some additional firepower, but the Ravens' advantage in this game is a safer bet.

My guess is Ravens 27, Cowboys 23.

Brandon Loree (0-2):

The Cowboys continue to be the ex-girlfriend you just can't give up on. Just when you think everything is going great, she brings you back to reality with full force and makes you realize that rooting for her was a mistake from the start.

But then a week goes by and you start to rationalize a reality in which Perhapsthings are getting better. The Baltimore Ravens are 0-2. There's no way Dallas can lose, right?

Unfortunately, we are currently on a break and until they can show some personal development and stop an attack from above, I cannot trust them.

The Ravens win this game on the ground 27-24.

Mike Poland (1-1):

For all of their weaknesses, the Cowboys offense ranks ninth in total passing yards. The Ravens defense ranks last in passing yards allowed. The Ravens really struggle to defend the play-action pass, and if Dallas can establish the run, that could be the door to victory.

The problem is that the Ravens are 0-2 and haven't been 0-3 since 2015. Also, the Cowboys defense is allowing the third-most points this year. The Cowboys defense has always had trouble defending mobile quarterbacks, and Lamar Jackson is the best rushing quarterback in the league. That doesn't bode well for Dallas.

The Cowboys lose, but narrowly, 23-21.

Dana Bartholomew (0-2):

It's hard to really trust the Cowboys after they looked like completely different teams from Week 1 to Week 2. The Cowboys are probably not as bad as the team that played in the home opener and attribute this loss to a lack of effort and execution, but they need to prove they are capable of consistent performance.

Both the Ravens and Cowboys desperately need a win. The Ravens have yet to win a game this season and the Cowboys need to bounce back after their terrible performance last week. Still, I think the Ravens are the more desperate team. I've been wrong with my picks so far, so I hope I'm wrong again this week.

The Ravens win 30-21.

Brian Martin (0-2):

If you fool me once, you'll be ashamed; if you fool me twice, you'll be ashamed. I picked the Cowboys to open the season with good reason, only to jump back on the bandwagon a week later and see them completely embarrassed by the Saints.

I'm usually an optimist by nature, but nothing about this year's team makes me particularly optimistic. I think both QB Lamar Jackson and RB Derrick Henry will embarrass Dallas' run defense again and help the Ravens get their first “W” of the 2024 season.

The Ravens win 26-17.

Chris Halling (0-2):

The Cowboys will rebound from an embarrassing loss in Week 2 and defeat the Ravens on the back of… defense!

Micah Parsons sets the tone for the team early, recording two sacks in the first half and the defense catches up. The Cowboys continue to struggle with their own running game, but a few plays by CeeDee Lamb make the difference and the Cowboys hand the Ravens their third straight loss to open the season.

The Cowboys win 20:10.

RJ Ochoa (1-1):

For the first time in a while, I think since San Francisco last year, I'm picking the Dallas Cowboys. Given what we've seen from this team so far this young season, it's fair to say that confidence has partially run out. Baltimore is battling some serious desperation given its 0-2 status, not to mention upcoming games against Buffalo and Cincinnati, and in the recent past we've seen the more desperate team win against the Cowboys.

Give me the Ravens at something like 33-23, but also give me Derrick Henry having a career day because that's the most predictable thing in the world considering how we got here.

David Howman (1-1):

Part of me really wants to pick the Cowboys here. It makes so much sense: The Cowboys rarely lose at home since Mike McCarthy has been here, and they almost always win after a loss under McCarthy. And the Ravens have proven vulnerable, starting 0-2 this year.

That said, I'm just not confident right now. To win this game, the Ravens just need to feed Derrick Henry and keep Lamar Jackson moving. Baltimore is too talented and too well coached not to take advantage of a rather weak run defense this week. In my view, the only way this game can go well for the Cowboys is if we get SuperDak. We haven't seen that version of Dak Prescott this year, so I'm not betting on him showing up just yet.

The Ravens win 34-27.