After the first two weeks of the season, I can tell you I did not think the Cowboys and Ravens would have a combined record of 1-and-3.
Two teams who have dreams of playing deep in January have gotten an early taste of humble pie through the first two weeks of the 2024 NFL season.
From the Cowboys' game notes for this week's game against Baltimore: Since 2021, the Cowboys are 12-2 the week following a loss, an .857 winning percentage in weeks following a loss that is tied with Buffalo for best in the NFL over the last three-plus seasons.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) September 17, 2024
While it’s early in the season, and there’s no need for alarm, at least not yet, the Dallas Cowboys’ first two weeks have revealed challenges in both their rushing offense and run defense.
The offense has struggled to establish a ground game early on, while the defense overall had a standout performance in week one, yet after the game against the Saints are still showing a huge weakness against the run and top-tier backs.
GAME INFO:
Date: Sunday, September 22nd | Time: 3:25 CT
Location: AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas
TV: FOX | Stream: NFL+ & FuboTV
Radio: 105.3 The Fan (KRLD-FM), 107.5 La Grande in Spanish (KMVK-FM)
ODDS:
Moneyline (ML): Cowboys -102 (bet $100 to win $98) | Saints -118 (bet $100 to win $84)
Against the spread (ATS): Cowboys +1 (-108) | Browns -1 (-118)
Over/Under (O/U): 49 (O: -108 | U: -112)
Fun Betting Stats
Dallas has covered the spread one time in two games with a set spread. The over has hit in both of the Cowboys games this season.
The Cowboys are once again underdogs by a point, like they were in the first game of the season against the Cleveland Browns, a game in which they looked like a completely different team than Sunday.
As for the Ravens and the two-time MVP, they are 0-2 in both games this season being favorites.
The over has also hit both times this year, so a trend you should probably stick to in this game if you are a person who likes to bet on the NFL.
The average total in Baltimore’s games this season (postseason included) is 43.3, 5.7 points fewer than Sunday’s over/under of 49.
Struggles Continue Against The Run
Every single time the Dallas Cowboys face a team that uses a lot of motion, they can’t figure out how to stop the run.
The game against the Saints looked exactly like the playoff game against the Green Bay Packers. Rinse and repeat it seems like.
Micah Parsons on his @BleacherReport podcast on the Cowboys' 44-19 loss to the Saints: "The effort was not there by all 11. … You have a standard … we didn't uphold that standard. … I'm determined to get this thing right." pic.twitter.com/auymquUq0K
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) September 16, 2024
Alvin Kamara had his way against the Cowboys’ run defense, rushing for 115 yards and scoring three touchdowns on 20 carries.
Dallas gave up a total of 190 rushing yards on Sunday. In the first two weeks, the Cowboys have allowed 283 rushing yards, ranking 11th in the league.
Although the Ravens don’t have the same type of running scheme as the Saints or Packers, that is all they do is run the football.
I am holding out hope that Mike Zimmer can get it fixed, but we said the same things about Dan Quinn time and time again.
Need To Score Touchdowns
Yes, Sunday was more about the Cowboys defense than it was about the offense. They did score on 4 of their first 5 times they touched the ball.
Only one touchdown was not going to keep up with the Saints, who got seven the first six times they had the ball on offense.
Still, the fact that the defense could not get one stop and gave up 35 first half points put everyone in a bad way.
The Dallas Cowboys are 1-1, while the Ravens are 0-2. You would think week three would be a bit early for a must win, but, man, both these teams need this win.
I am not sure how this game is going to go because, honestly, the Ravens are the more desperate team, and have the better coach.
I do think it will be closer this week than it was last week for Dallas. If this team can get Jake Furegson back, Dallas probably wins. If not, I think the Ravens will get their first win.
