Dallas Cowboys vs. Baltimore Ravens: 4 Most Important Matchups for Baltimore

The always-underachieving Dallas Cowboys take on the Ravens in Baltimore, a team coming off an unimpressive win against the lowly Kansas City Chiefs in Week 5. 

The Cowboys had their bye the previous week, so fans will get to see if Jason Garrett tweaked Tony Romo's turnover-prone self. Ed Reed will be putting the Cowboys quarterback to the test whenever Garrett dials up deep passes for his offense.

Ray Rice will be looking to run all over a middle-of-the-pack Cowboys run defense, but defensive coordinator Rob Ryan will look to put the game in Joe Flacco's right arm—and rightfully so. 

Here are the most important matchups when Dallas takes on Baltimore at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.

4. Jason Witten vs. Ravens Linebackers

Tony Romo has a turnover in every game this season, and those interceptions come on deep balls thrown down the field. A healthy Jason Witten can attack Baltimore in the middle of the field, a place Ed Reed won't frequent as often.

Witten will be important for both Romo's passing game and running back DeMarco Murray's ground game. Baltimore is giving up an un-Ravens-like 118 yards per game to opposing runners, and Ray Lewis' unit is seventh worst in surrendering touchdowns to running backs. 

3. Ed Reed vs. Tony Romo

Everyone already knows what Ed Reed can do to an opposing quarterback. The veteran safety going against the quarterback leading the NFL in turnovers is a scary thought for Jason Garrett, Jerry Jones and the rest of the Cowboys faithful.

Baltimore is eighth in the NFL with six interceptions, so a smart idea for Dallas would be to avoid Reed's side of the field completely. With that said, Reed can still roam around while Ladarius Webb is becoming a top corner in the league.

Romo will have to stop telegraphing his throws if Dallas wants a crucial road win. Dallas doesn't have a potent rushing attack, so Romo will have to throw.

2. Cowboys Defensive Line vs. Ray Rice

Dallas is only in the middle of the league defensively in allowing rushing yards, but the Cowboys have seen only two rushing touchdowns scored on them. 

Center Matt Birk will play a huge role, as he has to attempt to block Jay Ratliff right in the middle. Dallas can be had on the edges, however, as DeMarcus Ware will likely be running for Joe Flacco, not Ray Rice. 

Jason Garrett can't expect the Ravens to turn the ball over at the same rate, because the Dallas secondary isn't great as far as making plays and the Ravens only have one fumble lost on the year. 

1. DeMarcus Ware vs. Michael Oher

Michael Oher still hasn't performed as well as he did in his rookie campaign, but DeMarcus Ware has been known to come and go during important moments in games.

Ware has five sacks on the year, but getting to Joe Flacco in a speedy manner even without the play resulting in a sack would give Dallas the upper hand, even though Baltimore has a better record. 

Dallas' best pass-rusher will be as crucial as any one of the team's corners in containing the fast Torrey Smith downfield.