Ravens-Cowboys: Game Preview

Saturday, Dec. 20, 7:15 PM, NFL Network

Cowboys look to say goodbye to Texas Stadium with a win

The resurgent Dallas Cowboys will try to keep their playoff hopes alive this Saturday against the Baltimore Ravens, in the final game ever played at Texas Stadium. The Ravens represent the only team the storied Cowboys franchise has never beaten, with the Cowboys having lost the only two contests in Baltimore by a combined score of 57-10. 

With only two games left in the season and several teams vying for wild-card spots, the Cowboys need a win to stay in contention for the playoffs.

Turnover Battle

The Ravens and Cowboys have taken different paths to the same 9-5 record, when it comes to turnovers. Baltimore’s opportunistic defense has snatched a league leading 22 interceptions and recovered six fumble recoveries for a plus-8 turnover ratio.

Dallas has only 20 takeaways, while the offense has thrown 17 interceptions and lost nine fumbles, for a minus-six turnover ratio. If Dallas can win, or at least not lose the turnover battle, their chances for the win improve exponentially.

Farewell Texas Stadium

The Cowboys will bring playoff passion and a sense of historical significance to Saturday’s contest with the Ravens. With no possibility for postseason home games, the Cowboys will be playing their final home game at legendary Texas Stadium.   

Including the playoffs, the Cowboys are 213-99 under the hole in the sky in Irving, Texas. The Cowboys will fight to keep the century-loss mark at bay and there will be plenty of farewell festivities before, during and after the game.

Cowboy’s officials say there will be at least 100 former players and coaches who will be recognized. “We’ve got to involve the people that out the blood and the life into the stadium, and that’s the fans,” owner Jerry Jones said. The Cowboys have sold out 105 consecutive games at Texas Stadium.

Serving Up a Healthy Choice

Third string running back Tashard Choice outperformed all expectations against Pittsburgh, when he was thrust into the starting role against the league’s best defense.  Choice rang up 177 all purpose yards against the vaunted Steelers defense, flashing good hands out of the backfield and an ability to block blitzing linebackers in pass protection.

Choice didn’t get the start last week against New York, but he lead the team in rushing with 91 yards and a touchdown, as well as lead the team with 52 receiving yards. No one could have surmised Choice’s importance to the team during the most critical time of the season. 

Marion Barber is expected to play Sunday, but not at 100 percent. Keeping Choice healthy has suddenly become arguably the key ingredient to Dallas’ playoff hopes.

Ware’s His Place in History?

Last week the Cowboys sacked Giants quarterback Eli manning eight times, giving Dallas a league high 53 sacks for the season. Cowboy’s linebacker DeMarcus Ware had three of those eight and now leads the NFL with 19 sacks.

Ware’s season sack numbers are amongst some of the greatest pressure players to have ever played the game.

With two games left on the schedule, Ware has a chance to catch Lawrence Taylor (20.5 sacks–’86), Reggie White (21 sacks–’87), Mark Gastineau (22 sacks–’84) and Michael Strahan (22.5 sacks–’01). The Ravens have given up 25 sacks through 14 games this season.

Rookie Coach and Quarterback are Winning

Much like the book, Famous Jewish Sports Heroes, there are only so many success stories when you talk about rookie head coaches and rookie quarterbacks on the same team in the NFL.

This season appears to be the exception with Baltimore’s first year head coach John Harbaugh and rookie quarterback Joe Flacco, as well as Atlanta’s head coach Mike Smith and rookie quarterback Matt Ryan, both leading their teams to 9-5 records and a chance to make the playoffs.

Both Flacco and Ryan are in the hunt for rookie of the year honors with the winner probably going to the player who earns the post season berth.  

Different Team, Same Scheme

The Cowboys knew running the table at the end of the season was going to be physically demanding. The Steelers, Giants, Ravens and rival Philadelphia Eagles all play a physical brand of defensive football.

But perhaps Dallas even surprised themselves in the way the Cowboy defense has taken the fight to the first two teams of the four team gauntlet. The Steelers and Giants both looked to pound the ball, then stop the run.

Neither team could run against Dallas. Pittsburgh managed just 70 yards on the ground and the Giants totaled just 72 rushing yards on 17 carries. The Ravens will commit to the run, whether it’s working or not. The Ravens lead the league in rushing attempts per game at 37.7, but rank 25th in yards per carry at 3.8.

During the four wins in five week stretch, the Cowboys have done an excellent job of stopping the run, then sacking the quarterback once they are forced to throw. The Ravens will commit to pounding the ball, successfully or not with converted fullback turned human bowling ball (6-0, 260 pounds) Le'Ron McClain.

Matchup

The Ravens have one of the meanest and most intimidating defenses in the NFL. And they back it up. Baltimore ranks second in total defense (257.5 yards per game), second in passing defense (179.5 yards per game) and third in rushing defense at 78 yards per game.

But the Cowboys haven’t backed down to anyone and the new team identity is about defense, not all the prima donnas on offense. Cowboy defenders Bradie James and Terrence Newman will be playing with a chip on their shoulder after the Pro Bowl snubs.

The Ravens simply will not be able to run and then Dallas will pin their ears back and rattle the rookie quarterback. Cowboys win a defensive battle and close the doors on Texas Stadium with a win.

Prediction

Dallas - 20

Baltimore - 13