In a thrilling match-up between the Baltimore Ravens and the Dallas Cowboys, the Ravens secured a 28-25 victory, but not without some tense moments on the defensive end. Middle linebacker Roquan Smith was seen passionately communicating with cornerback Marlon Humphrey as the Cowboys managed to score three consecutive fourth-quarter touchdowns, leaving several Ravens defensive backs shaking their heads in frustration.
Following the game, outside linebacker Odafe Oweh expressed the collective sentiment of the defense, stating, “We have a sour taste in our mouths after nearly blowing a 22-point lead in under nine minutes.”
Despite the close call, the Ravens defense has shown promise in previous games. In Week 1, they contained the high-powered Kansas City Chiefs offense, giving their team a chance to win despite offensive struggles. In Week 2, they kept the Las Vegas Raiders out of the end zone until late in the third quarter. And in their most recent game against the Cowboys, the defense limited Dallas to just two field goals through the majority of the game.
However, the Ravens defense is still searching for consistency. They have yet to put together a full four quarters of quality play, struggle in shutting down the middle of the field, and have been plagued by penalties and inconsistency across all levels of the defense. Now, they face a formidable challenge in the Buffalo Bills, the league leaders in points per game, led by star quarterback Josh Allen.
As the Ravens prepare to take on the undefeated Bills, safety Kyle Hamilton praised Allen, describing him as “an incredible talent” with both mobility and a powerful arm. The Bills’ offense, with weapons like James Cook, Dalton Kincaid, and Khalil Shakir, poses a significant threat to the Ravens defense.
Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr expressed confidence in his unit, stating, “They definitely stretch you as a defense, but we have guys that are up for the challenge.”
The Ravens offensive line, which has faced scrutiny in recent weeks, is coming off a solid performance against the Cowboys but faces a tough test against the Bills’ pass rush. Buffalo boasts 11 sacks on the season, with players like Greg Rousseau, Von Miller, and DaQuan Jones ranking among the top pass rushers in the league.
With left guard Andrew Vorhees likely out due to injury, the Ravens coaching staff faces a decision on how to shuffle the offensive line. Whether they turn to Patrick Mekari, Roger Rosengarten, Ben Cleveland, Josh Jones, or opt for a rotation, the offensive line will need to be at its best against the formidable Bills defense.
As the Ravens gear up for a primetime showdown with the Bills, the stage is set for a battle of two top-tier quarterbacks in Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen. While Jackson remains focused on his own performance, the entire Ravens defense knows they have a tough task ahead in containing Allen and the high-flying Bills offense. It’s a challenge they’re ready to take on as they look to bounce back from a tough loss and make a statement in front of a national audience.
