Baltimore Ravens: Changes Needed for Week 3 Against Cowboys

The 0-2 Baltimore Ravens have plenty of issues to address heading into their Week 3 matchup against the 1-1 Cowboys in Dallas.

The Cowboys are coming off a blowout loss against the 2-0 New Orleans Saints at home in Week 2. In Week 1, Dallas blew out the 1-1 Browns in Cleveland.

The Ravens lost a nail-biter for the season opener against the two-time defending Super Bowl Champion Chiefs in Kansas City in Week 1. For Week 2, it was typical John Harbaugh, blowing another 4th quarter lead against Gardner Minshew.

The biggest issues for the Baltimore Ravens include their offensive line, in both pass protection and the run game, along with their highly-paid secondary. Surprisingly, they have been one of the worst running teams offensively and their defense has been exposed through the air.

This is different from previous iterations with Lamar Jackson, as they have been only keeping up through the air with one or two weapons. On defense, they have been stout against the run and have had some pass-rush help from their younger starters. Baltimore will have to be balanced on both sides of the ball if the Ravens want to compete in a tough AFC North.

Right Side of Offensive Line Can't Be a Liability

Baltimore RavensPhoto byBrendan BealeonUnsplash

The Baltimore Ravens offensive line will have a mega test against the Dallas Cowboys pass rush, headlined by Micah Parson. Lamar Jackson might be running off to the races all game if they can't fix the issues we have seen in the first two weeks of the season with their pass protection.

At a certain point, Ben Cleveland will likely supplant Daniel Faalele at right guard, and rookie Roger Rosengarten (in limited snaps) will likely take over versatile veteran Patrick Mekari at right tackle.

Both Faalele and Mekari are total liabilities in pass protection and in general, are not doing enough in the run game to open holes for Derrick Henry. Not to mention their other edge rusher, who is opposite Parsons, is veteran Demarcus Lawrence. At least veteran left tackle Ronnie Stanley and left guard Andrew Vorhees have been more consistent than the right side of the offensive line.

Cornerback Has Become a Big Weakness

CeeDee Lamb will have to be the one player the Baltimore Ravens will have to double cover and consider more attention to heading into Week 3. The alpha receiver on the Dallas Cowboys had a bounce-back week with 4 catches for 90 yards and a touchdown. The highly-paid star sees more looks in the slot, where the Ravens are weakest in the secondary with first-round rookie Nate Wiggins out.

Veteran Marlon Humphrey and Brandon Stephens are on the outside but struggled mightily in Week 2 against a top veteran receiver in Davante Adams for the Las Vegas Raiders. Adams had 9 catches for 110 yards and a touchdown last week.

That could be repeated this week, especially if Lamb sees more Stephens. That will be a major issue that Baltimore will have to scheme up around with their trio of safeties that haven’t performed as their investment suggests against the Dallas Cowboys.

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Article originally written by Andrew Kim