The Baltimore Ravens managed to secure a critical 28-25 victory against the Dallas Cowboys, bouncing back after a disappointing 0-2 start. This win was essential for the Ravens, who needed to stabilize their season.
Despite taking a comfortable lead early on, the Ravens had to withstand a strong fourth-quarter comeback attempt from the Cowboys. In the end, they held on for the win, though the game did get tense late.
Baltimore’s offense and defense worked well enough to maintain control, but the close score highlighted areas of concern moving forward.
Both the Baltimore Ravens’ offense and defense delivered promising performances in their 28-25 win over the Dallas Cowboys. Defensively, the Ravens largely controlled the Cowboys’ passing attack throughout the game, only allowing Dallas to mount a comeback attempt late in the fourth quarter. For most of the day, the secondary was effective in limiting big plays.
On offense, Derrick Henry had a breakout game, rushing for 151 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries. His ability to establish the ground game was crucial for Baltimore, as it allowed them to control the pace of the game. Additionally, Lamar Jackson contributed significantly with his legs, rushing 14 times for 87 yards and a touchdown. Jackson’s mobility helped sustain drives and keep the Cowboys’ defense off balance, showcasing his dual-threat capability.
While the Ravens showed some vulnerabilities late in the game, particularly with their defense softening during the Cowboys’ comeback attempt, the overall performance was a positive step as they rebounded from an 0-2 start.
The Ravens’ special teams, usually one of the most reliable aspects of their game, has been struggling this season, with kicker Justin Tucker uncharacteristically off to a slow start. Tucker, widely considered the most accurate kicker in NFL history, has missed three of his eight field goal attempts through the first three games of the season. Particularly concerning is his performance on longer kicks, where he is just 2-for-5 from beyond 40 yards. This is unusual for Tucker, who is typically automatic from long range.
Despite these struggles, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh remains confident in his veteran kicker. Harbaugh has expressed his belief that Tucker will bounce back, citing Tucker’s long-standing consistency and ability to perform under pressure. Tucker’s track record certainly supports this faith, as he has been the NFL’s standard-bearer for kicking excellence over the past 12 seasons.
While kickers across the league have been performing well, Tucker’s early-season slump is likely to be a temporary issue, given his history. However, getting back on track will be important for the Ravens as they navigate a tough schedule and rely on his precision in close games.
Despite Justin Tucker’s slow start to the 2024 season, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh remains confident that the star kicker will bounce back. Harbaugh highlighted that Tucker is dealing with a technique issue but is optimistic that he will correct it soon. “He’s everything that you want in a player and friend,” Harbaugh said, emphasizing Tucker’s awareness of the problem and his commitment to fixing it. Tucker’s track record certainly backs up Harbaugh’s confidence—he’s widely regarded as the greatest kicker in NFL history and holds the record for the highest career accuracy rate.
However, Tucker’s struggles with long-distance kicks are becoming a concern. Since the start of 2023, he has only made 1 out of 7 attempts from 50+ yards, an area that was once his hallmark. While Tucker has earned the benefit of the doubt due to his exceptional resume, his performance in the kicking game will be something to monitor as the season progresses. The Ravens will need him to regain his form, especially in close games where his consistency has been a key factor in the team’s success.
