The Baltimore Ravens finally put their late-game collapse woes behind them in Week 3, delivering the kind of heroics that had been sorely missing through the season’s first two weeks. Fans packed into Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro were treated to a back-and-forth thriller that saw Baltimore escape with a 34-31 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. This wasn’t just another game, it was a statement.
Jackson and Henry Light Up Rio
Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry absolutely led the charge, proving they are a force no defense wants to deal with. Jackson was slinging it, completing 15 of 22 passes for 186 yards and two touchdowns, all while racking up a sizzling 136.7 passer rating. He wasn’t done there, adding another 50 yards on the ground. Henry, the powerhouse, hammered his way to 89 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries. When the Ravens needed a spark, especially after falling behind early, Henry was there. His second touchdown run was a huge moment, helping erase that 10-0 Cowboys lead and putting Baltimore ahead 14-10. These guys showed serious growth, especially along the offensive line, making plays that mattered when it counted most.
The playmakers truly stepped up. Zay Flowers looked electric and completely healthy. His first catch went for a solid 22 yards, and he was a problem for the Cowboys’ secondary all night. Any concerns about his hamstring? Gone. The red-zone wildcat package, with Henry taking a direct snap for his second straight week, is still a nightmare for defenses. It just keeps producing. The defense deserves a shout-out too, settling things down after Dallas’ early success and forcing a quick punt. That response kept the game from slipping away. And let’s not forget Josh Cuevas, who delivered an underrated 13-yard catch-and-run, showing up as a complementary contributor in the passing game. Even Calais Campbell got in on the action with some welcome pressure on Dak Prescott late in the first half, a presence that had been missing in the first two weeks. Special teams came through big time, with Tyler Loop connecting on both field goals and Keondre Jackson blocking a long Brandon Aubrey field-goal attempt in what was, at the time, a four-point game.
The Ugly Truths From Brazil
It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows, though. While Baltimore pulled out the win, there are definitely some things to clean up. The Ravens came into this game wanting to lock down the run, but Dallas found room way too easily. The Cowboys’ longest rush of the season before Week 3 was 11 yards. So, what happened on their opening drive? They ripped off a 17-yard gain on just their third rushing attempt. That’s a gut punch that absolutely needs to be addressed. On the injury front, Kyle Hamilton briefly left for a concussion evaluation but returned, and Mark Andrews also exited with an injury before re-entering to make a crucial catch late. Thankfully, both delivered big plays after their returns. But still, those are moments Baltimore will want to leave in Brazil.
In the end, it was a wild one that showed a lot to like, a lot to clean up, and a few moments the Ravens would rather forget. But hey, a win is a win, especially when it comes with late-game heroics!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply