Majority of Pundits Pick Baltimore to Prevail in Dallas
No one could have predicted that the Ravens would enter Week 3 still searching for their first victory. Likewise, no one expected the Dallas Cowboys to get blown out at home by the New Orleans Saints last week.
Both teams are looking to get back on track when Dallas (1-1) hosts Baltimore (0-2) on Sunday. A majority of pundits we sampled (39 of 60) picked the Ravens, who are one-point favorites.
The pundits are largely in agreement that the game will be close. Of the 37 who predicted the score, 26 have the contest being decided by three points or fewer.
Here's what pundits are saying about the game:
The Ravens are the better team on both sides of the ball.
The Baltimore Sun’s C.J. Doon: "In a game decided by blocking and tackling, the Ravens have a decided edge here, despite what we all watched in the fourth quarter last Sunday against the Raiders. Dallas' defense is paper thin right now, especially along the interior. The Cowboys' offense isn't as explosive as it might seem on paper, either, having recorded only four passing plays of 20 yards or more in two games."
Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer: "The Ravens are the better all-around team and lost last week because of penalties and a few big situational mistakes. Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, and the versatile receiving corps can also cause problems playing to the Ravens' strengths while exploiting the Cowboys' weaknesses. The pressure vs. Dak Prescott will be the difference, as will be less dynamic running and receiving support."
A heavy dose of Derrick Henry will benefit the Ravens.
The Baltimore Banner's Brandon Weigel: "The Cowboys have surrendered 4.9 yards per carry on the ground and a league-worst five rushing touchdowns in the early going. If ever there was a time for a Derrick Henry game, this is it. Give him the ball 25 times, and let the offense dictate the pace of the game. And that, in turn, should allow ample opportunity for coordinator Todd Monken to finally get the Ravens' play-action game into gear for large chunk plays."
CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco: "Both teams have issues, but the biggest is the Ravens offensive line. After watching what the Saints did to the Dallas defense, they will overcome that and run Derrick Henry. The Ravens will get their first victory on the road against the Cowboys."
Lamar Jackson will lead the Ravens to the win.
Miami Herald’s Greg Cote: "A big Lamar Jackson game by both arm and leg will be the difference as his versatility gets the best of Micah Parsons and that Cowboys pass rush. Ravens have not started a season 0-3 since 2015, and won't this year."
The Ravens will exploit a suspect Dallas defense.
NBC Sports’ Chris Simms: "Defensively, [the Cowboys] have issues. We saw it last week. They can't stop the run. Their D-tackles aren't very good; we saw them get blown out of the water. Their safeties in the middle of the field are slow; we saw those New Orleans receivers run right by them like they were in mud. So I worry about that side of the ball, let alone a pissed off Ravens football team ready to go. I would be shocked if the Ravens lose this football game."
The Cowboys will take advantage of the Ravens' porous pass defense.
USA Today’s Jordan Mendoza: "After what happened in Week 2, it's anyone's guess as to who wins this. However, Baltimore has the worst passing defense in the NFL, meaning a big day could be in store for Dak Prescott. Dallas squeaks by the Ravens to send them to 0-3."
CBS Sports’ John Breech: "Through two weeks, the Ravens have given up the MOST passing yards in the NFL. Dak Prescott might throw the ball 71 times on Sunday. I have a feeling he's really going to be earning his pay check this week and when you're making $60 million per year, you have to do a lot to earn your paycheck, so I expect Dak to have a big game."
The Ravens have too many concerns for them to be trusted to beat the Cowboys.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox: "This is essentially a pick 'em, and while it's hard to trust the Cowboys after last week's disastrous display, I trust the Ravens even less. Baltimore's defense just isn't the same after Mike Macdonald's departure, and its offensive game plan still seems entirely too reliant on Lamar Jackson magic. Right now, it's hard to pinpoint any one area in which the Ravens excel. I don't envision Todd Monken exploiting Dallas' defense the same way that [Saints Offensive Coordinator] Klint Kubiak did a week ago, and Baltimore's offensive line grows increasingly worrisome with each passing week. Baltimore is probably the more desperate team, but I don't know that it matters in this matchup."
Sports Illustrated Writer Believes Ravens Defense Will Rebound Under Zach Orr
The Ravens defense under new coordinator Zach Orr is ranked 28th in scoring and 32nd in passing yards, but Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer believes better days are ahead for the unit.
"Zach Orr is a bright, bright coaching prospect, but he's new as a coordinator," Breer wrote. "Remember, Mike Macdonald's second week as the Baltimore Ravens' DC didn't go so well, either. His unit allowed 547 yards from scrimmage in a 42–38 loss to the Miami Dolphins that day.
"There was grumbling then about missing Wink Martindale. In time, I'd say John Harbaugh's call to bring Macdonald back from Michigan worked out OK. And I'll trust Harbaugh's judgment on this one too."
Orr will return to his home state of Texas this weekend and coach in front of family and friends but his only focus is getting the win.
Ravens' Analytics Staff Is Among NFL's Elite
The Ravens continue to be one of the best organizations at using analytics, according to an ESPN survey of analytics staffers from all 32 teams.
Baltimore was voted the second-most analytically advanced team overall and the second-best team at producing the highest levels of analytics work. The Cleveland Browns were No. 1 in both categories.
"Baltimore has the big staff and they're doing good work from what you can tell," said an analytics director who voted for the Ravens as most analytically advanced. "I know their facility is extremely technically rigged. I know that they're tracking everything."
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