The Dallas Cowboys got a much-needed victory over the Washington Commanders on Sunday to even their record at 1-1. Next up is the hard-nosed Baltimore Ravens (1-1) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in a matchup that will be decided at the line of scrimmage.
The Cowboys' defensive front seven will need to be prepared for two of the league's most dangerous players: quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry.
Make no mistake, this is a team that is going to run to set up the pass, and Quinnen Williams and the interior of the Cowboys' D-Line will have to be much better than they have been so far to keep them from dictating the pace of the game and working the play clock.
3 things the Cowboys absolutely must do to beat the Ravens
1. Keep Lamar Jackson in the pocket
Just like last week with Jayden Daniels, Parker and the defense will need to be aware of Jackson and his ability to create something out of nothing with his legs.
Arguably the best running QB in NFL history, he looks to pass first now in his ninth season, but will not hesitate to scramble and exploit weaknesses at the line of scrimmage. The play-action, RPO-heavy offense will require the Cowboys' defenders to use their eyes to identify the ball carrier.
It looks as if Baltimore's top wideout, Zay Flowers, will not play with a hamstring injury, so Jackson will look to tight end Mark Andrews to step up.
Beware of the underachieving Rashod Bateman, who will step into the WR1 role and is coming off a seven-catch, 88-yard game with a TD against the Saints last week. He has all the tools to be a good player, but is still looking to put it all together on a consistent basis. The Ravens' depleted WR corps is something Dallas needs to take advantage of.
2. Don't let Derrick Henry get comfortable running downhill
Henry, an All-Pro and future Hall of Famer, will get his yards. First-year offensive coordinator Declan Doyle isn't looking to reinvent the wheel and knows where his bread is buttered. The ball will be stuffed in the gut of the 255-pound North-South back early and often.
Quinnen Williams has to be prepared, and linebackers Dee Winters and Jaishawn Barham will have to be solid in gap support between the tackles. It's no secret what Henry wants to do, but stopping him still won't be easy. If the defense can get him running parallel to the line of scrimmage, he is susceptible to big tackles for loss.
If the big back gets a couple of explosive runs up the gut early, it will be a long day for the Cowboys and their fans.
Henry's size and speed are unmatched in the league, and he is on the cusp of all-time NFL marks in both yards rushing (10th with 1,320 yds) and rushing TDs, where he is tied for eighth with 131. Doyle is also trying to get him more involved as a pass catcher out of the backfield.
The Ravens are always looking to tenderize the opposing front seven with a heavy dose of Henry for four quarters. He is second in the league in yards with 212 through two games, averaging 5.3 ypc with 4 TDs.
3. Dak Prescott has to continue to be on point with the football
Last week, Saints second-year QB Tyler Shough had his way with the Ravens' secondary in the second half and led his team to a 24-17 upset of the Ravens. He completed 27 of 34 passes for 252 yards, a touchdown, and added 23 yards rushing in an impressive road win.
Shough is a promising-looking youngster, but Dak has got to be better. Baltimore has a stout defense, but it's more vulnerable to the pass early in 2026 than to the run. (12th passing versus 5th rushing).
The game will be in Rio, and there will not be a home-field advantage. Prescott sometimes doesn't play to the same level at neutral sites and on the road as he does at AT&T Stadium. It is imperative that, if Javonte Williams and the run are stuffed by middle linebacker Roquan Smith and the Ravens' D, Dak get weapons like CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and Jake Ferguson involved early.
After facing Shough and the Colts' Daniel Jones in the first two weeks, Prescott will be the best quarterback the Ravens have seen so far. Schotty will call on his salty,11-year signal caller to make chunk plays and have the Ravens' D on their heels right off the bat.
Dak has to be on the money with the ball.
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