The Ravens and Cowboys are going to Brazil with plenty of star power, but the game could turn on the stuff that usually gets less airtime. Sure, Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry and Dallas’ passing attack will shape the conversation all week. But buried underneath the obvious matchups are a handful of smaller details that could end up mattering just as much in Week 3.
Start with CeeDee Lamb, who has already found the end zone in both Cowboys games. After scoring three receiving touchdowns in 14 games last season, he’s matched that total in just two weeks this year. Baltimore will be trying to put that streak to bed, but Lamb has given Dallas an early scoring jolt that can’t be ignored.
Jackson’s legs are another place the Ravens can tilt the field. The Cowboys have allowed an average of 61.5 yards rushing to opposing quarterbacks, including 54 yards to Jaxson Dart in the opener and 69 yards to Jayden Daniels. That sets up a familiar problem for Dallas: another elite dual-threat quarterback who can punish a defense if he sees enough space.
Baltimore, meanwhile, has a different issue bubbling under the surface. The Ravens are not getting interior pressure from their defensive line, and that’s a problem that can make a quarterback far too comfortable.
Aeneas Peebles, Travis Jones, John Jenkins and Broderick Washington have combined for zero sacks, and Calais Campbell has none either. Nnamdi Madubuike can’t get back fast enough.
He has produced 21 sacks in his last 36 games.
There’s also the question of whether Baltimore should lean more on Devontez Walker. His resume is light - eight career receptions in three seasons - but he’s already shown some juice with four touchdown catches and a 47-yard reception on one catch in Week 3. The numbers don’t tell the whole story, but they do suggest the Ravens might have something worth exploring.
The same goes for a few other names who haven’t been central to the offense yet. Elijah Sarratt was a healthy scratch in Week 1 and didn’t get any offensive snaps in Week 2, when Baltimore leaned on veteran Chris Moore.
Matthew Hibner is another player who could fit into a broader “get more guys involved” approach. He transferred from the Michigan Wolverines to the SMU Mustangs, grew into more of a receiving threat there, and finished with 804 yards and eight touchdowns on 55 catches over 27 games.
That kind of depth could matter even more if Zay Flowers is working his way back into a more explosive offense. Baltimore has options, but the question is whether it will trust them.
That’s the thing about NFL games: the biggest names draw the spotlight, but they don’t always decide the ending. Lamb can keep scoring.
Jackson can turn scrambles into game-changing runs. The Ravens can search for a spark from Walker, Sarratt or Hibner, or they can finally get the push up front they’ve been missing.
In a game this loaded, one of the quieter storylines might be the one that tips the result.
In Other News...
Saints Found An Undrafted Rookie They Already Trust In Key Spots
C.J. Donaldson hasnt needed a heavy rushing load to matter for the Saints early on. Through his first two NFL games, the undrafted rookie running back has earned steady praise from teammates and coaches for the less flashy parts of the job, especially his blocking and pass protection. On a roster where every snap has to be earned, Donaldson has shown he can help keep the offense on schedule by picking up pressure and giving the quarterback cleaner pockets.
For New Orleans, that kind of trust is a big deal this early in a rookies career. Donaldsons feel for defensive pressure schemes and his physical style have helped him stay active on third downs, where pass protection often decides whether a drive keeps moving or stalls out. The Saints still have more to learn about what he can do as a runner, but they already seem comfortable putting him in spots that usually go to players they trust most. [Read more 🡒]
Tyler Shough Faces An Early Test Saints Fans Should Watch Closely
Tyler Shough has already spent a lot of time dealing with heat this season, and not just the kind that comes with a rookie trying to settle in. He has been under pressure on a steady stream of dropbacks, a sign of both what the line has allowed and the way he plays when a play starts to break down. Even so, Shough has shown he can handle it, extending plays and keeping the offense afloat when defenders get into the pocket.
That will matter again against the Raiders, who bring a varied and effective pass rush into the matchup with New Orleans. The Saints do not need Shough to be perfect, but they do need him to keep his poise when the pocket tightens and to turn those stressful snaps into manageable ones. For a team trying to build around him, this is the kind of test that can tell you a lot without giving the whole story away. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Passing Attack Could Put Raiders To The Test Early
The Raiders head into their first hostile environment of the season riding a 2-0 start, but the challenge waiting in New Orleans looks different from the opening two weeks. The Saints have leaned on a passing game led by Tyler Shough and Chris Olave, giving them a downfield threat that can stress a defense quickly and force a secondary to hold up under pressure.
Las Vegas also has to sort through an injury hit in the back end, with starting safety Treydan Stukes out because of a concussion. That matters against a Saints team that has already shown a knack for rallying late in its first two games, which can make every possession feel heavier and every coverage mistake more costly. [Read more 🡒]