There are certain players this week expected to shine.
As the Cowboys prepare to host the Baltimore Ravens this Sunday, all eyes are on Dallas’ difficult task of trying to stop QB Lamar Jackson. But that’s just one matchup that will impact the outcome of this game. How might some others lead to fortune or failure for certain Cowboys?
BUY
QB Dak Prescott
Baltimore’s 0-2 right now largely because they’ve been unable to slow down opponents’ passing games, with a pass defense ranking near the bottom in several categories. Struggling against the Chiefs in Arrowhead was one thing, but last week the Ravens gave up nearly the same number in a home game against the Raiders. This points to a potentially big game for Prescott, who goes into it knowing that he can’t count on the run game or his defense to get the job done. Getting TE Jake Ferguson back will only help open up the offense.
WR CeeDee Lamb
One reason that opposing passing games have done so well is that the Ravens have had no answer for number-one receivers. Rashee Rice hit them for 103 yards on seven catches in Week 1 and Davantae Adams had nine catches for 110 yards and a touchdown last Sunday. We’ll take Lamb over either of them, especially after two weeks and more time for him and Prescott to find their groove again. Look for Lamb to have a big day against Baltimore.
EDGE Micah Parsons
Lamar Jackson has only been sacked three times in two games, but all three have come from defensive stars in the Chiefs’ Chris Jones and Vegas’ Maxx Crosby. After getting shut down by New Orleans, Parsons will be extra hungry this week and should have opportunities to affect the game.
SELL
Running Backs
If things weren’t already bleak for Dallas’ run game, Baltimore has yet to allow an opposing RB to average over 3.0 yards per carry. Isiah Pacheco only had 45 yards on 15 carries and then Zamir White had just nine rushes for 24 yards. Unless the Ravens overcompensate for their pass defense and open up the running lanes, it’s hard to see how Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle will fare any better given what we’ve seen so far.
WR Brandin Cooks
It’s already been a slow start to the year for Cooks with just six catches for 59 yards, albeit with one touchdown. That could continue as second receivers haven’t done much in Baltimore’s last two games. Kansas City’s Xavier Worthy and the Raiders’ Jakobi Meyers had a combined six catches for 76 yards and one score in their games against the Ravens. That’s partly due to how effectively the passing game ran through the top receivers, so the big game we predicted for Lamb could mean another quiet one for Cooks.
