The NFL heads to Brazil for the first time as the Baltimore Ravens (1-1) and Dallas Cowboys (1-1) meet at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. Both teams are coming off very different Week 2 outcomes: Baltimore suffered a surprising loss to New Orleans despite outplaying the Saints statistically, while Dallas bounced back from a Week 1 defeat to the Giants with an impressive win over Washington.
Lamar Jackson looks like he's rounding back into MVP form, completing 67.9% of his passes for 559 yards and two touchdowns through the air while adding 74 yards and a rushing score, but he's still missing his top target as Baltimore tries to close the gap between its explosive offense and an inconsistent defense.
Ravens vs. Cowboys Odds
Ravens: -3.5
Cowboys: +3.5
Over: 52.5
Under: 52.5
Watch NFL games LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)Ravens vs. Cowboys Key Injuries
Baltimore's biggest question is at wide receiver, where Zay Flowers is dealing with a hamstring injury. Head coach Jesse Minter said Flowers has “a good shot” to play Sunday, which would be a significant boost for an offense that has otherwise clicked behind Jackson. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley is also working his way back into the lineup after missing time, and his potential return would further stabilize Baltimore's protection up front.
Dallas' concerns are more structural than injury-specific. The Cowboys' defense has been one of the league's worst units early in the season, ranking 31st in opponent success rate and 29th in opponent EPA per play, and it has surrendered 347 rushing yards through two games. Beyond the trenches, Dallas' secondary has struggled to contain mobile quarterbacks, an issue that becomes magnified against Jackson.
Ravens vs. Cowboys Betting Trends
Baltimore leads the NFL in Net Yards per Play at plus-2.1 and ranks inside the top six in both EPA per play and offensive success rate, numbers that suggest last week's loss was more of a statistical anomaly than a sign of real decline.
Article Continues BelowThe Ravens are 3-2 against the spread in their last five meetings with Dallas, and the over has cashed in four of the last five games between these two teams. Zooming out, Baltimore is 3-7 ATS over its last 10 games overall, while Dallas sits at 4-6 ATS with the over hitting in nine of the Cowboys' last 10 contests.
Keys to Ravens vs. Cowboys Matchup
This game likely comes down to whether Dallas' bottom-tier defense can slow down an offense that ranks among the league's most efficient. If Zay Flowers plays and Ronnie Stanley anchors the offensive line, Jackson has every tool available to attack a Cowboys defense that has already allowed 347 rushing yards through two weeks.
Dallas' path to an upset likely requires matching Baltimore score for score, since a defense ranking 29th in EPA per play and 31st in success rate is unlikely to get consistent stops. The Cowboys' offense will need a big performance to keep pace in what projects as a high-scoring affair given the 52.5-point total.
Ravens vs. Cowboys Prediction and Pick
Baltimore's underlying numbers, from Net Yards per Play to EPA efficiency, paint the picture of a team that outplayed New Orleans and simply lost a game it should have won. With Jackson trending toward his peak form and reinforcements possibly arriving at receiver and tackle, the Ravens have the tools to exploit a Dallas defense that's been genuinely bad through two weeks.
Dallas can score points, but leaning on its offense to outscore Baltimore possession-for-possession against a defense that ranks near the bottom of the league is a risky proposition on a neutral field in Brazil.
Take the Ravens to win and cover.
Prediction: Ravens 30, Cowboys 24.