Baltimore Ravens @ Dallas Cowboys - September 22, 2024

As I prepare for Sunday’s clash at AT&T Stadium between the Baltimore Ravens and the Dallas Cowboys, the excitement is palpable. The atmosphere is electric, with a crowd eager to see how these two teams will figuratively and literally measure up.

The Ravens come into this game with an unsettling record of 0-2. The odds opened with them as a slight 1-point favorite, which might reflect their historical prowess. However, the stats paint a more detailed picture. Baltimore has averaged just 21.5 points per game, relying heavily on their rushing attack, which has provided a strong 168 yards per game. Nonetheless, their passing game, while productive at 260 yards per game, looks uneven, given their current struggles to convert opportunities into points. It’s worth noting that they are 1-4 against the spread in their last five games, which certainly doesn’t favor their chances against a Cowboys team that has found its footing.

On the flip side, the Dallas Cowboys have managed to dissect their opening games with a 1-1 record. Averaging 26 points a game, their offense has been efficient, especially in the passing department, with 239 yards per game and a completion percentage hovering above 63%. However, their running game has been lackluster, averaging only 85 yards per game; thus, the Ravens, boasting a formidable rush defense, may manage to nullify Dallas’s ground game effectively. Moreover, the Cowboys are 2-5 against the spread in their last seven, hinting at a slight inconsistency in their performances.

As I dissect this matchup, I can’t help but lean towards an expectation that the Ravens will emerge as the winners in this contest, snapping their disturbing losing streak. Both teams have shown signs of their respective challenges, but Baltimore’s need to bounce back could ignite the spark they’ve been lacking. The advantage, however, lies in the Cowboys’ ability to cover the spread even as the underdog if they manage to keep the game close.

The total for this game opened at 48.5, but given both teams’ offensive inconsistencies, I’m predicting that we could see a lower-scoring affair, landing under that line. The Cowboys’ offensive plays rely heavily on creating opportunities through the air, and while they have been successful, the Ravens’ secondary will pose a threat, likely leading to stalled drives. Meanwhile, if the Ravens can establish their run game early, they might chew the clock, offering fewer possessions to their opponents.

In closing, I see a tight match-up where the Ravens find a way to win but the Cowboys manage to keep it within that 1-point spread. My expectation leans toward a low-scoring game with the total likely staying under the initial projection. It promises to be an enthralling battle, and I can’t wait to see how this one unfolds on the field.