Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore Ravens: 3 Reasons They Can Beat Red Hot Cowboys

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 1:29 a.m. ET

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Nov 13, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) celebrates his thirty-two yard touchdown to win the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. Dallas won 35-30. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Cowboys are red hot with an eight game winning streak brewing. Can the Baltimore Ravens compete with the NFC’s top contender?

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The Baltimore Ravens and their fans were Cowboys fans for one day only, as they played the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Cowboys beat the Steelers in thrilling fashion. With the game nearing its end the Cowboys found some magic. Rookie running back, Ezekiel Elliott, ran in a 32 yard touchdown for the final score of the game. Ravens fans were glad to see the Steelers lose their fourth straight game, however the thought of facing the Cowboys is daunting.

The Cowboys are led by a rookie backfield. Dak Prescott and Elliott are taking the league by storm. It feels like a new era of Cowboys football. It is reminiscent of the Ravens introduction to Joe Flacco and Ray Rice in 2008. The Cowboys offense is averaging 411 yards per game, which ranks third in the NFL. Jerry Jones and company have built the most impressive team Dallas has had in quite some time.

There is no doubt that the Ravens will need their A game to win. It’s a tough test, but the Ravens can win it. Don’t believe me? Here are three reasons the Ravens have a chance in this game.

Jan 3, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Josh Harris (40) carries the ball as Baltimore Ravens nose tackle Brandon Williams (98) and Ravens inside linebacker C.J. Mosley (57) defend in the second quarter during the 2014 AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

The Ravens Stop The Run:

Baltimore does one thing better than anybody. They stop the run. The Cowboys do one thing better than anybody. They run the football. This is a classic case of something has to give. The Ravens will rely on a dominant front seven to win this game. Ezekiel Elliot is special but the purple and black have stopped some great running backs this season.

LeSean McCoy got next to nothing against the Ravens. The Ravens and the Bills had a defensive slug-fest. McCoy only managed to gain 58 yards in the season opener. Le’Veon Bell only could muster 32 yards against the Ravens. This will be the stiffest test the Ravens defense has seen. The Cowboys offensive line is impeccable. However it’s not like the Ravens run defense hasn’t had a stiff competition.

Brandon Williams is a beast. Michael Pierce is impressive. Timmy Jernigan and the rest of the defensive line is nothing for the Cowboys to scoff at. C.J. Mosley and Zach Orr are playing incredible football at the inside linebacker spot. Terrell Suggs is making everyone else look bad with a biceps injury and an iron will.

Nov 13, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) and wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) celebrate after a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. Dallas won 35-30. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

A One Dimensional Cowboys Team Will Fail:

The Cowboys are red hot offensively. However it is all because their running game makes everything a possibility. Prescott is incredibly impressive. He is steering the ship, managing the game and stepping up and making some plays. However the Cowboys have the 20th ranked passing attack in the NFL. If the Ravens can at least slow down the run (I believe they will) this will be a tough game for the Cowboys to win.

Did I mention that the Ravens pass defense isn’t too shabby? The Ravens have the second most interceptions in football and have the fifth ranked passing defense. They’ll give up the occasional big play, but beating the Ravens defense is difficult. The Ravens run defense and the Cowboys rushing attack may be equals. The Baltimore pass defense is superior to the Cowboys passing attack.

The Ravens defense is as good as it gets. The Ravens have to make this game frustrating for a team that is rolling. They have to take the fight to the Cowboys and make this a dog fight. The Ravens have to make the Cowboys play the game they want to play. I believe the purple and black can do this, therefore they can win the game.

Nov 10, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith (89) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The Ravens Are Feeling It:

The Ravens have seen tough times this season. Baltimore arrived at rock bottom two weeks into their four game losing streak. John Harbaugh continued his role as the grim reaper for offensive coordinators when he fired Marc Trestman. The team could have folded up and packed it in. Many teams would have in that kind of a predicament. Instead the Ravens came out of their bye week on a mission. They took it to the Pittsburgh Steelers and came away victoriously. Against the Browns, they got their first double digit win since 2014.

Baltimore is feeling it. They did their part in making the Steelers four game losing streak a reality. Now the Ravens are 5-4 with a chance to get some separation in the AFC North. This is a moment that the Ravens can stand up and make a statement with. The table is set and John Harbaugh’s team is ready to eat. The Ravens are hungry and motivation won’t be a problem.

Make no mistake about it. The Ravens can beat the Cowboys. Make no mistake about it. The Ravens have been to hell and back. Now the purple and black have a chance to do something special. If the Ravens come into this game with a sense of urgency that the Cowboys cannot match, the Cowboys will get handed a loss.

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