This Ravens’ game against the Cowboys was 28-6 heading into the 4th quarter. How it got to 28-25 is not surprising, as it is a trend with John Harbaugh-led teams. In this fashion, with his history of coordinators and games, they have lost just by not playing decent football in the final quarter of games and taking their foot off the gas in the 2nd half.
With the most blown 4th quarter double-digit leads in the past 5 seasons of any team with nine, the trend from their loss last week carried over again in this game, and even in a win, it is still concerning for a team like the Ravens’ that has Super Bowl aspirations in 2024.
Ravens Are Used to Blown 4th Quarter Leads
For whatever reason, the Ravens struggle to finish in the 4th quarter. The 13 penalties didn’t ease the case, but even the offense had some hiccups after the half besides the one scoring drive in the 3rd quarter to put them up 28-6.
Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry were the engines of the offense, attacking the Dallas Cowboys’ weakness on defense against the run. Jackson had 14 carries for 87 yards and a touchdown on the ground while throwing one in the air and finishing with just 182 yards passing.
Most games shouldn’t require this much on the ground and it will likely be more balanced in the passing game with their tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely, who were quiet today. Zay Flowers wasn’t involved too much, as Rashod Bateman caught his first touchdown of the season, along with a big play by Nelson Agholor.
Jackson went 12/15 on passing attempts, as he didn’t have to do much as a passer to finish this game. Henry had his nuclear game finally, with 25 carries, 151 yards, and 2 touchdowns. It capped off a memorable performance against a team he initially had some interest to play for in free agency before landing in Baltimore.
Baltimore’s First Win Didn’t Quell Past Issues
The hope with Derrick Henry for Baltimore was to get into leads to then run the ball to tire out defenses. While that was productive running the ball 45 times out of 60 offensive plays in Week 3 against the Dallas Cowboys, the Ravens’ defense showcased its issues last week, especially in the secondary.
In the 4th quarter alone, Dak Prescott had 3 total touchdowns (2 in the air, 1 on the ground) and almost pulled off an insane comeback. Dallas drops its second game in a row, as they were blown out by the New Orleans Saints in Week 2 but had a statement win against the Cleveland Browns in Week 1. Baltimore’s run defense, along with its pass rush, was stout most of the time, but they gave up too many chunk plays through the air.
The Ravens’ secondary struggled last week against the Las Vegas Raiders and in the second half against Dallas, they were exposed in the Cowboys’ final-quarter rally. Baltimore gets the Buffalo Bills at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday Night Football for Week 4, so this reoccurring issue with have to be cleaned up. While the offensive line for the Ravens was better this week, along with the run game, facing Josh Allen and Sean McDermott’s defense, they will need to be better than before.
Final Thoughts on the Dallas Cowboys Game
Both teams are now 1-2, as the Cowboys have been on the winning and losing side of blowouts, with Week 3 being a close one at the end. Dallas visits Metlife Stadium for Thursday Night Football in Week 4 against the Giants. They are coming off their first win against the Cleveland Browns. The Ravens’ game exposed their run defense weakness like previous teams and will have to rebound against Devin Singletary in New York.
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