The Cowboys need a scalp after two so-so performances against lesser opposition, and what better team to take down than Baltimore.
The Dallas Cowboys have underwhelmed so far this season, and with the Baltimore Ravens up next at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Sunday.
Brian Schottenheimer's team is 1-1 with a brutal stretch of games to come, starting with the Ravens, so this next group of games will tell us a lot about the 2026 version of the Cowboys.
We know all about what the Ravens will bring as the run game with Derrick Henry takes center stage, and Christian Parker's defense will be where everyone's attention will be after two underwhelming performances so far.
But if the Cowboys are to get what would be a huge statement win in Rio, how would they do it?
By doing these five things.
1 - Curtail Derrick Henry's influence:
Dallas has given up 165 and 182 yards on the ground in the first two weeks, and Henry can do that himself.
The defensive line has to stay stout, push back, and not let No. 22 get rolling, because if he does, we could end up in a similar situation where Dak and the offense sit on the sidelines while the defense gets run through.
You won't completely stop Henry (he hasn't had under 60 yards in a game since Week 5 of 2025), but you can curb his influence.
Don't get beat by what you know.
2 - Offense has to be perfect:
Yes, it's unfair, but this is the world Dallas is living in.
Dak, with CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens and Co. have to be nearly flawless in Rio.
That means when faced with a third-and-short/fourth-and-short, convert it. In the redzone? Touchdowns, not field goals, and most importantly, no turnovers.
You can't give this Ravens offense more possessions against this Dallas defense.
It's a tough recipe, but Dak and Co. simply have to be elite for Dallas to win.
3 - Contain Lamar:
And by contain, I mean don't let him run wild.
Jaxson Dart and Jayden Daniels destroyed this defense with their legs, so what will Lamar do if he's given the chance to step up and out, or to roll to one side and scoot upfield?
That's nightmare fuel.
Whether it is a spy or Dallas simply doesn't chase sacks, Lamar has to be contained to the pocket and not allowed to get out. Lamar has just 74 yards on the ground in the first two weeks; don't let him get that in one game.
Still, given the athlete he is, Dallas could do everything right, and Lamar still might run for 80+ yards in Rio.
4 - No self-inflicted wounds:
The Cowboys, penalty-wise, were far better in Week 2 than they were in Week 1; plus, there weren't as many miscommunication issues. Yes, there were some, but nowhere near the amount against New York.
Going against this Ravens team, Parker's team has to be sound fundamentally and not allow the big plays.
Plus, no silly penalties, and that goes for the offense and special teams as well. We saw what KaVontae Turpin did in the return game last week when his runs weren't called back.
Dallas has to be squeaky clean in Rio...in all three phases.
5 - Don't play scared:
Some have said playing scared got Dallas beat in Week 1, and against Lamar, you can't live in fear.
If the Cowboys are faced with a fourth-and-short in their own territory (say, from their own 40-yard line), you have GOTI. Pick up that first down. Don't punt it back to the Ravens.
Dallas has to play aggressively, and even Dak stated the offense wants to be the "aggressors," and it will have to be.
Lamar and the Ravens can take the game away from you in an instant. So when a chance to make a statement comes. Make it. Don't shy away.
Time to put the big boy pants on.
