Baltimore Ravens: Cowboys A True Test For The Team

By Ben Palmer | Nov 18, 2016

Nov 10, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith (89) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

The Baltimore Ravens may be in first place in the AFC North, but they haven’t played a team nearly as good as the Cowboys yet. This game will be a chance for the Ravens to make a real statement.

While the Baltimore Ravens may be in first place in the AFC North, that’s not that big of an accomplishment, all things considered. The team is 5-4 and happens to be in one of, if not the, worst divisions in the NFL, so being in first place of the AFC North is sort of like being the most handsome garbageman.

But that perception could change in a major way with a win at AT&T Stadium this Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys, who own the best record in the NFL (8-1). If the Ravens can come away with a win this Sunday against the best team in the NFL, then people might start taking them a bit more seriously.

It’s not going to be easy for the Ravens, as Dallas has played exceptionally well this year. They’ve won eight games in a row, scoring an average of 29.8 points per game, winning by an average of 11.1 points.

Dallas rookie quarterback Dak Prescott has outperformed any and all expectations that were had for him this year. He’s second in the league in total QBR (82.5) and has thrown 14 touchdowns and only two interceptions. Prescott is also #3 in the league in yards per attempt (8.35), and the Cowboys are tied for third in the league in fewest sacks allowed (13), a testament to their excellent offensive line.

More from Baltimore Ravens

On top of an excellent passing offense, the Cowboys have potential MVP candidate Ezekiel Elliott at running back, who currently leads the league in rushing with 1,005 yards, which is the third-most rushing yards for a player’s first nine games.

But the Baltimore Ravens have a defense that can stop that. A defense that’s currently #1 in the league against the rush, and has the second-most interceptions in the NFL. If there is a defense that can put a stop to the red-hot Cowboys offense, it’s Baltimore’s.

What this game will really ride on is the Ravens erratic (to be kind) pass offense which is currently ranked 29th in the league. While the team is #1 in the league in passing attempts, they’re #22 in the league in total passing yards. That’s going to be a problem.

But fortunately for the Ravens, they’re going against a mediocre Dallas secondary that currently ranks 22nd in the league in passing yards allowed per game (263) and are tied second-to-last in the league in interceptions (4).

That being said, the Cowboys run defense is not bad at all, ranking third in the league in rushing yards allowed per game (82.6), and if there’s one place the Ravens have really struggled on offense, it’s been with their run game, as running back Terrance West is currently tied 28th in the league in rushing yards per carry (3.9).

If the Ravens are able to dominate on defense and take advantage of Dallas’ mediocre secondary, then they really have a chance at beating the best team in the league on their home turf. It’s not going to be easy, but a win on Sunday would do wonders for the team’s confidence, and would prove that the Ravens just might be a team worth taking seriously this year.

As a fun side note: the Dallas Cowboys are currently the only team in the NFL to have never beaten the Baltimore Ravens. They have lost all four meetings against the team in the 21 years that the Ravens have existed.

Next: Major Comeback Win For Terps Over Georgetown

In fact, the last time the Cowboys defeated a Baltimore team, it was on December 6th, 1981 when they defeated the Baltimore Colts 37-13 at Memorial Stadium. Here’s hoping we keep the streak going.

Home/Baltimore Ravens