The Cowboys are coming off one of their most disappointing losses in recent history, getting blown out by 25 points at home to the Saints. The Ravens enter the game with their own frustrations, losing their first two games and trying to avoid an 0-3 start.
Here are the 10 big storylines for the week, with five for the Ravens and five for the Cowboys.
Ravens
- The Ravens are surprisingly 0-2 to start the season and have only been 0-3 once (2015) in franchise history. So to say they would enter Sunday's game at AT&T Stadium in desperation would be an understatement, especially considering this is a franchise that has been to the playoffs five of the last six years, including a trip to the AFC Championship Game last season with the league's MVP.
- Speaking of Lamar Jackson, he leads a Ravens offense ranked No. 1 in total yards after two weeks with 417.5 yards per game. He's arguably the most dynamic running quarterback in NFL history, rushing for 83.5 yards per game in the first two weeks. But that's also around his QB rating of 86.5. Jackson has thrown an interception in each of his first two losses.
- The Ravens' start is surprising but it's not like they haven't been competitive and likely could've been 2-0 had it not been for a couple of plays. The Ravens were within a toe of tying and possibly beating the Chiefs at the end of regulation in Week 1 and then lost at home by a field goal to the Ravens last Sunday.
- The offensive line has been a problem for the Ravens in the first two games, with head coach John Harbaugh describing the unit as "way too inconsistent." But when asked by the media about potential changes in the personnel, including to guard Daniel Faalele, who has allowed a couple of big plays in each of the first two games, Harbaugh was quick to point out that he earned the starting job over Ben Cleveland and nothing has happened to make that change, or other personnel moves on the line at this point.
- Among the playmaker threats for the Ravens including free-agent addition Derrick Henry, who has the only two rushing touchdowns of the season for Baltimore with two. Henry has 130 rushing yards and is averaging 4.3 yards per carry. The Ravens also rely on speedy playmaker Zay Flowers, who is leading the team with 13 catches, but surprise contributor this year is tight end Isaiah Likely, who is the team leader in receiving yards with 137.
Cowboys
- What a wake-up call it was for the Cowboys, who were humbled with a 25-point blowout home loss to the Saints in Week 2. It was the first regular-season home loss at AT&T Stadium in 16 games and the biggest blowout at home since the 2020 season (38-10 loss to Arizona). More alarming for the Cowboys, was how similar the game felt to the playoff loss at home to Green Bay back in January, when the Packers steamrolled to a 21-point halftime lead and cruised to the Divisional round.
- What a defense a week makes. After Mike Zimmer's defense received a ton of praise for a dominating win over Cleveland, the unit was gutted by the Saints, who scored touchdowns on their first six drives. The defense had no answer for Alvin Kamara, who did the majority of damage on the perimeter, torching the Cowboys on the edge. After getting a sack and 11 pressures in Week 1 in Cleveland, All-Pro pass-rusher Micah Parsons was held in check by the Saints, totaling just three pressures and no sacks.
- While the Cowboys couldn't stop the run successfully on defense, it wasn't much better on the offensive side of the ball. Three different players had rushing attempts before projected starter Ezekiel Elliott even entered the game Sunday. No matter if it was Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn, Zeke or Dak Prescott, the Cowboys couldn't find any rhythm running the ball, totaling just 68 yards. The Cowboys rank 25th in the NFL in rushing, averaging just 85 yards per game. Dowdle and Zeke are both tied for the team lead with just 56 yards in two games.
- The Cowboys needed some offensive firepower last week, especially down in the red zone, where they were 0-3 scoring touchdowns. Jake Ferguson could be back this week at tight end after missing Sunday with a bone bruise in his knee. Ferguson didn't practice all week and was ruled out before the game but head coach Mike McCarthy said he's hopeful for Ferguson to return. The Cowboys also might get John Stephens (hamstring) back to add more tight end depth.
- This matchup features one of the greatest kickers in NFL history in Baltimore's Justin Tucker and Brandon Aubrey, who has made four field goals in each of the first two games this year, including three from 50+ yards. Aubrey has recently set the NFL record for most consecutive 50-yard makes to begin an NFL career with 13. Ironically, Tucker's two missed field goals this year have both been from 50 yards or more. Tucker is the NFL's all-time leader in accuracy, making 89.8 percent of his kicks since entering the league in 2012.
