Ravens Look to Avoid 0-3 Start as Cowboys Aim to Fix Defense
As the Baltimore Ravens prepare to face the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3, both teams are dealing with significant pressure. The Ravens are off to a rocky start with an 0-2 record for the first time since 2015 and are desperate to avoid a devastating 0-3 beginning to the season. On the other side, the Cowboys are still recovering from their embarrassing 44-19 loss to the New Orleans Saints, a defeat that exposed major defensive issues. Both teams enter this pivotal game with much to prove.
Baltimore’s Urgency to Rebound
The Ravens, who had the best regular season record last year, are reeling after a frustrating start. Despite outgaining the Kansas City Chiefs in their season opener, Baltimore couldn’t hold on, losing 27-20 after surrendering a fourth-quarter lead. Last week’s 26-23 defeat to the Las Vegas Raiders stung even more, with the Ravens losing on a last-minute field goal after holding a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter.
Baltimore linebacker Odafe Oweh emphasized the importance of the team getting back on track, saying, “We’re trying to right our wrongs (and) get our pride back… Everyone is pretty focused and understands what we have to do.” Oweh also acknowledged that despite their struggles, the team remains determined not to let things spiral into an 0-3 start. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson echoed this sentiment, noting that the locker room isn’t moping or pointing fingers, but instead is focused on turning things around.
Cowboys’ Defensive Struggles
The Cowboys, who started the season with a victory over the Cleveland Browns, are still reeling from last week’s disastrous loss to the Saints. Dallas allowed six touchdowns on New Orleans’ first six drives, giving up a total of 44 points in a game that saw the defense fall apart. First-year defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer has been tasked with repairing the damage ahead of the Ravens game.
Zimmer is no stranger to tough situations, recalling his first game as Dallas’ defensive coordinator during the infamous “pickle juice” game in 2000, where the Cowboys allowed the Philadelphia Eagles to rush for 306 yards. He vowed to fix things then, and now faces a similar challenge.
“We’ve got to get things tightened up so we don’t have another slide like we did last week,” said Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis. “And I know they’re thinking the same thing.”
Key Matchups and Uncertainties
Lamar Jackson is set to return to AT&T Stadium, where he was drafted by the Ravens with the 32nd overall pick in 2018. Since then, he has become an MVP and one of the league’s most dynamic playmakers. Jackson will look to exploit the Cowboys’ struggling defense, which gave up 190 rushing yards and allowed two long touchdown passes against the Saints.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys’ offense continues to face questions at running back. Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle have both been limited to 56 yards rushing through two games. Derrick Henry, in his first season with the Ravens after eight years in Tennessee, will be a key player to watch as he looks to become the first Ravens back to score in each of his first three games.
Both teams enter this game with a sense of urgency. The Ravens are fighting to avoid an 0-3 start, while the Cowboys are eager to fix their defensive woes and get back to their winning ways. Sunday’s matchup will be a test of resilience for both franchises.