The Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys delivered an instant classic in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Sunday as the Ravens somehow are coming back to Baltimore 2-1 after defeating the Cowboys by a final of 34-31.
The contest got off to a not so great start for the Ravens as the Cowboys took a quick 10–0 lead and the early momentum. However, the Ravens would settle in generating 17 unanswered points highlighted by two Derrick Henry touchdown runs to take a 17–13 lead into halftime.
The Ravens would take a 24-21 lead into the fourth quarter, which would turn into a wild back-and-forth shootout between the two teams. After Dallas trimmed the deficit, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson led a late drive and connected with rookie tight end Matthew Hibner for a 23-yard go-ahead touchdown with just 1:30 remaining to give the Ravens the 31–28 lead. But as we have seen all too often lately, the Ravens defense struggled to make a critical stop to seal the game. A questionable defensive pass interference call against cornerback Nate Wiggins, put the ball at the Ravens two yard line for Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and the Cowboys. With their backs against the wall the Ravens defense would stand tall forcing an incompletion from Prescott to wide receiver George Pickens on third down to force the Cowboys into a Brandon Aubrey for a 23-yard game tying field goal with just seven seconds left to play.
With so little time left it looked as though this game was headed to overtime. But as quarterback Lamar Jackson took the snap he dropped back looking deep, finding his favorite target Zay Flowers for 27-yards and into Cowboys territory. Jackson was able to call the Ravens final timeout with just one second left, to give kicker Tyler Loop a shot to walk it off with a 56-yard field goal. This kick was important not only to win the game for the Ravens, but also get some redemption for Loop who’s missed kick last season casued the Ravens to miss the playoffs coupled with a rough preseason. Loop stepped up and was able to sneak the ball inside the left upright as time expired to seal Baltimore’s second win of the season.
The Ravens will return home to take on the 0-3 Tennessee Titans, with the Ravens looking for their first home win since week 12 of last season. They will need to do so by cleaning up their short yardage rushing attack as Derrick Henry was stuffed in the backfield several times on Sunday, and the Ravens will also need to overcome being with out both their starting and backup centers for the foreseeable future.
Injuries:
Ethan Pocic- Knee
Jovaughn Gwyn- Ankle
Games Notes:
Wide receiver Zay Flowers led all Ravens with 84 receiving yards.
The Ravens started their drive with seven seconds left in regulation, the latest start to a game winning drive off a kickoff since 1978.
Sunday was the first time in the Super Bowl era in which both teams kicked a field goal in the last 10 seconds of the fourth quarter.
Running back Derrick Henry moved to 9th all-time in rushing yards passing Eric Dickerson
The Ravens moved to 7-1 (.875) all-time vs the Cowboys, best winning percentage against any single opponent in franchise history.
