With a playoff spot at stake, the Ravens travel into the home of what used to be called "America's Team" to take on the NFC East 2007 Champion Dallas Cowboys. While the Cowboys may no longer be the unanimous choice for the moniker of "America's Team," they are still one of the most popular and certainly one of the better teams in the NFL. However, they play in what also might be the toughest division in the league, which should either keep them sharp for their out of conference games, or wear them down due to the brawls.
Depending on where you stand, this is either a benefit or danger to the Ravens. Regardless of which, don't expect the Ravens to waltz into Dallas and emerge with a victory over a very good Cowboys team. The Ravens may have still be a contender for the Wild Card positions, but they ain't ready to roll with the big boys on the road, as their modest four game winning streak comes to a screeching halt.
The Cowboys have way too many weapons, although I still don't see this game as a blowout. Dallas might have TO, Romo, Marion Barber, Jason Witten plus others on offense, but they still haven't played a defense like the Ravens, who just won't roll over and quit. At the same time, the 'boys should be able to put enough points on the board with this offense to keep the Ravens from making it a close game.
Offensively, the Ravens will have to rely on short passes and the running game, while at some point way too early for this offense, be forced to go to the pass in order to try to keep up with the Cowboys on the scoreboard. Unfortunately, that is where the game gets out of hand, as the Ravens are still not a good enough offense, much less passing team to rely on the arm of Troy Smith (or Flacco, or even Boller) to play catch up.
After a bruising loss to a tough, athletic and veteran Dallas squad, the Ravens will limp home still in playoff contention. Their hopes of playing in the post season now rest on a win against a real tough Jacksonville team while also having to rely on other teams' losing in order to squeak into the playoffs.
Cowboys: 27 Ravens: 13
Season Record: 9-6