The Baltimore Ravens are coming off a disappointing loss. Meanwhile, the Cowboys are hoping their new-look defense holds up. They meet in Week 3, and here are the bold predictions for the NFL game in Rio de Janeiro.
The Cowboys bounced back from a surprise Week 1 loss to the Giants with a thumping of the Commanders. As for the Ravens, they went backwards. After a strong Week 1 performance, they fell flat against the Saints.
Who will step up with big games in this inter-conference rivalry?
Cowboys WR George Pickens will go over 100 yards receiving with two TDs
The Cowboys want to win football games, but they know they need to keep Pickens happy. In his first two games, he totaled six catches for 40 yards and three grabs for 28. That adds up to being a non-factor. And what that means for Week 3 is that the Cowboys will feed him the football. Look for Pickens to get double-digit targets and do something with them.
Still, there are those who believe Pickens will never be The Guy when CeeDee Lamb is on the field, according to The Athletic.
“Dallas’ George Pickens is barely a double-digit PPR scorer in his career when he plays alongside CeeDee Lamb,” Michael Salfino wrote. “I don’t understand this, but this fact does not require our understanding. This is not a tight grouping. Lamb just slaughters Pickens.
“If a redraft league was held right now, Pickens would be a fourth-rounder. Remember, this is 16 games now that I’m talking about — Pickens only crushed it in the games that Lamb was out last season. Lamb is easily a first-rounder, and he’s looking like a draft steal. How they may compare in real life doesn’t matter when the Cowboys treat Pickens like a little brother.”
What would motivate George Pickens?
Pickens is playing on a one-year $27-million franchise tag. If he keeps getting Lamb scraps in the passing game, then most likely Pickens is gonna Pickens. And the Cowboys do not want that.
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott said defenses have dictated the target share so far, according to a post on X by Joey Wagner.
“It was just what the defense was giving us,” Prescott said. “Obviously we’re putting CeeDee in places to get the ball, but so are we for (George Pickens, Jake Ferguson, Ryan Flournoy).
“Those guys are giving a lot of attention to George Pickens right now. I mean, both teams we’ve played have. That gives CeeDee the opportunity for some one-on-ones, and he’s going to keep doing what he’s done in these games if they’re going to do that.”
It’s hard to imagine other teams covering Lamb as loosely as the Commanders did. And that likely means more opportunities for Pickens, starting this week.
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson will rush for 50-plus yards
The Cowboys didn’t do a very good job of containing Jayden Daniels in Week 2 before he got hurt. And they will likely see Jackson break off a few big runs in Week 3. The Ravens will hit the Cowboys with a huge dose of their ground attack. They might even let Jackson take a few planned rushing carries to take some focus off of Derrick Henry.
Jackson comes into the game probably a little bit irritated. His last passing attempt against the Saints was a game-sealing interception. He said the circumstances required taking a chance, according to ESPN.
“We were just trying to make something happen,” said Jackson, who was pressured from the right side after guard Olaivavega Ioane missed a block. “It was just the same group of guys out there. I feel like they were a little fatigued, and how I played it, it was a timing thing. I feel like I want that pass back, though.”
Jackson may have no choice but to scramble on passing plays, given the state of the offensive line, according to Sports Illustrated.
“They are allowing a 44% pressure rate, third-worst in the NFL, helping (general manager Eric) DeCosta blow his 15th double-digit lead since 2019 on Sunday,” Jason La Canfora wrote. “The league average, by the way, is 36%. The interior offensive line is getting pierced with abandon. Any sort of twist or stunt gets home, and the Saints thoroughly exposed this overwhelmed group by deploying linebackers with abandon in the second half.”
Ravens WR Zay Flowers will total 80 yards receiving with a TD
Of course, Flowers has to suit up to make this prediction work. He is trending that way, according to NBC Sports.
“Flowers is one of multiple injured players who (head coach Jesse) Minter said could play in Week 3,” Zachary Krueger wrote. “Flowers missed Week 2’s game against the Saints after reaggravating his hamstring injury in Week 1 against the Colts, but he was able to practice in a limited capacity to close out the week. We’ll see how he fares this week when the Ravens release their first injury report, but it sounds like the star receiver is trending in the right direction.”
Flowers should be able to hurt the Cowboys' secondary, which has struggled in the first two weeks. Some of that may be scheme and alignment. We will see if the Cowboys are successful in getting that tightened up.