The Baltimore Ravens find themselves in a precarious position heading into Week 3, facing a must-win scenario against the Dallas Cowboys.
With the specter of their first 0-3 start since 2015 looming, the pressure is mounting after narrow losses to the Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders.
Baltimore’s inability to close out games has become a glaring issue, with fourth-quarter collapses emerging as a troubling pattern.
However, FOX Sports host Chris Broussard sees a potential turning point for the Ravens in this matchup and expressed confidence in Baltimore’s chances.
“They’re the more desperate team. Now, Dallas is desperate too, they need a win but obviously, the Ravens are more desperate, they have a higher motivation level.” Broussard said on “First Things First.”
“They’re the most desperate team… Their strengths are perfectly fit for Dallas’ weaknesses.”
— @Chris_Broussard doesn’t see the Ravens going 0-3 pic.twitter.com/14fAgjz2mc
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) September 20, 2024
Broussard highlighted a key factor in his analysis: The Ravens’ “strengths are perfectly fit for Dallas’ weaknesses.”
He pointed out Dallas’ struggles against the run game, as evidenced in their poor performance against the New Orleans Saints, which could prove pivotal against Baltimore’s formidable rushing attack.
The Ravens boast one of the NFL’s most potent ground games, led by the dynamic duo of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry.
Establishing a strong rushing presence could be the key to controlling the game’s tempo and creating opportunities for Jackson to exploit mismatches downfield through play-action passes.
The Cowboys’ run defense has been particularly susceptible, ranking 29th in yards allowed before contact.
This suggests that Baltimore’s runners could find success before encountering significant resistance from Dallas defenders.
To capitalize on this advantage, the Ravens may benefit from a tactical shift.
Moving away from their predominant shotgun formations to more under-center snaps could allow improved alignment and blocking schemes, potentially exposing the Cowboys’ vulnerabilities even further.
