The Cowboys are headed into Week 3 with no time to savor Sunday’s win. Dallas now turns to a matchup with the Ravens in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a game that will make NFL history in the city after the league staged two previous games in Brazil.
Baltimore comes in at 1-1 after letting a fourth-quarter lead slip away at home against the Saints in Week 2. Lamar Jackson has been operating at an MVP level, and Derrick Henry is still the kind of problem Dallas remembers well from his 156-yard, two-touchdown outing against Mike Zimmer’s defense at AT&T Stadium two years ago. Henry averaged 6.0 yards per carry in that game, while Jackson added 87 yards and a touchdown at 6.2 yards per carry.
That’s the challenge staring down Dallas in Marcaña Stadium. First-year play-caller Declan Doyle pulled Henry out of the game plan too much in the second half against New Orleans, but if Jackson and Henry are allowed to get rolling, Dak Prescott won’t be able to rescue the Cowboys unless the defense gives him a chance.
The injury picture will matter all week, and the first reports are due Wednesday. On the Cowboys side, Brian Schottenheimer all but ruled out cornerback Cobie Durant and safety P.J.
Locke, both of whom were injured in Week 2. Neither is expected to practice this week, and Locke could land on injured reserve, which would sideline him for at least four weeks.
Baltimore is also waiting on its own updates. Jesse Minter said Monday that “We have a good shot with a lot of guys [playing this week].” The Ravens were without Zay Flowers, Nnamdi Madubuike, and Ronnie Stanley in Week 2.
For Dallas, the biggest issue may be Jackson himself. He’s not running as often as he did earlier in his career, but when he does take off, he’s been extremely efficient. Through two games, Jackson has 11 carries for 74 yards and two scores, a 6.7 yards-per-carry mark that would be his best since 2022 if it holds.
That’s a real concern for a Cowboys defense that hasn’t shown it can consistently keep mobile quarterbacks in check. Jaxson Dart scrambled for 54 yards against Dallas in Week 1, and Jayden Daniels ran for 69 yards in the first half before his elbow injury in Week 2.
Even if the coverage tightens up, that won’t be enough if Jackson starts creating offense with his legs, especially with the secondary potentially missing Malik Hooker, Cobie Durant, and P.J. Locke.
The run game is another problem Dallas has to sort out. Through two weeks, the Cowboys are averaging 67.5 rushing yards per game, which ranks 30th, and 3.5 yards per carry, which ranks 26th.
Their longest run is just 11 yards, and they sit 31st there. The offense is at -0.05 EPA per rush, which ranks 11th.
That’s not what anyone expected from Year 2 of the Brian Schottenheimer and Klayton Adams offense. Tyler Smith’s absence has been a major factor, since his loss has shown up at the point of attack.
T.J. Bass has held up in pass protection, but he hasn’t given the ground game the kind of push the unit needs.
Game flow has also worked against Dallas, especially after it fell behind 21-7 in Week 2.
There’s at least a chance for a reset here, though. Baltimore enters Week 3 ranked 23rd with a -0.01 EPA per push, per Sūmer Sports.
The secondary situation may be just as tricky as the front. With Durant and Locke likely out and Hooker still needing another week to recover from a broken forearm, the Cowboys could be down two starters and one of their most trusted depth pieces. Shavon Revel and Markquese Bell are in line to step in.
Revel flashed enough against Washington to suggest he can handle the job. After an early missed tackle, he settled in, covered well, and nearly picked off Marcus Mariota. Bell’s day was less encouraging, with his zone awareness creating an easy 3rd-and-18 completion.
Christian Parker wants Caleb Downs near the line of scrimmage in the slot, but there’s at least a question about whether Reddy Steward could be promoted from the practice squad to handle nickel duties so Downs can move back to safety.
The bottom line is simple: Dallas has to survive the first wave of Baltimore’s offense and avoid letting Jackson and Henry turn the game into a track meet. The Cowboys have shown some improvement in communication and have been opportunistic with takeaways, but the defense still hasn’t earned much trust. Against a Baltimore team that can expose tackling issues, gap discipline, and quarterback containment, that’s a dangerous place to be.
Ravens 30, Cowboys 27
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