After a stunning home loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, the Baltimore Ravens now have to win against the Cowboys to avoid their first 0-3 start since 2015 and only their second such start in franchise history. How can they get it done? Let’s look at the key players, and keys to victory for the Ravens.
Key players for Ravens
Lamar Jackson is the first quarterback to be a reigning NFL MVP and start 0-2 since 2002 when it happened to Kurt Warner and the Rams. Offensive line struggles are still being worked out in Baltimore; yet as it stands right now, Jackson has a -0.04 EPA/DB (expected points added per dropback) through two games this season. The good news is his rushing ability has a chance to help shine this week while the passing game looks to improve.
Along with the rushing ability of Jackson, running back Derrick Henry should find success this week as well. The Cowboys are allowing the second-highest success rate on designed runs this season at about 55 percent, per NFL Next Gen Stats. “Successful plays” are considered those that gain at least half the yards needed on first and second downs and all the yards needed on third and fourth downs.
Henry had 84 yards on 18 attempts against the Raiders. You know he’s studying Alvin Kamara‘s performance from last week (180 totals yards, four total touchdowns).
Linebacker Roquan Smith remains the heart and soul of the Ravens defense, leading the way with 18 tackles and an interception. He is currently one of three Ravens defenders that have played every single snap through two games; with defensive backs Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Williams as the other two.
Edge-rusher Odefe Oweh has had a nice start to his season as well. He enters Week 3 as the team leader in sacks (2.5) and stops (9). And while he hasn’t played as many snaps as Oweh, linebacker Kyle Van Noy continues to thrive in a limited role.
Van Noy is tied for second with Oweh with four quarterback hits (4) and has done so in half the snaps (43 to Oweh’s 82). He also has a pair of sacks. Both Oweh and Van Noy can be a threat to sack Cowboys QB Dak Prescott.
Key players for Cowboys
It all starts with the NFL’s $60 million (per year) man, Dak Prescott. However, things haven’t been smooth since getting paid right before the season started. Prescott has two touchdowns and two interceptions through two games. He also is ranked 28th in EPA/DB at -0.26. Even Daniel Jones (-0.19) and Deshaun Watson (-0.24) have a higher EPA/DB than Prescott. It’s not what fans thought they’d see through two weeks.
After Prescott, the offense runs through WR CeeDee Lamb. He’s off to another strong start with 151 yards and a touchdown on nine catches. Certainly far from the pace he set last season when he had 1,749 receiving yards but still on pace for almost 1,300. The Cowboys receiver against the Ravens secondary will be fun to watch.
While Prescott and Lamb got paid this offseason, Micah Parsons will as well – and soon. If the Ravens’ offensive line struggles continue, Parsons could be chasing Jackson a lot this week. Only three players have more quarterback pressures than Parsons’ 12 and one of them has played three games (the Jets’ Will McDonald).
Keys to victory for Ravens
Protect Lamar Jackson
This seems so simple. Yet with an edge-rusher like Micah Parsons, it goes without saying that the Ravens have to be clicking on the offensive line this week against the Cowboys. They can’t have another performance like the first two weeks, or the Ravens could be in for a long day.
Run the ball right at the Cowboys
If there is a weak spot for the Cowboys, it’s the interior of the defensive line. The Cowboys are still struggling stopping the run (as noted earlier with their success rate allowed). Between Jackson and Henry, the Ravens hope to have a strong day on the ground.
Make the Cowboys one-dimensional
If the Ravens can eliminate the Cowboys’ rushing attack, they can force Prescott to beat him with his arm. He certainly can, but the Ravens pass defense continues to be a strength and that can play right into their laps if the chips fall the right way.
