The Dallas Cowboys faced the NFL's most aggressive rushing attack in the Baltimore Ravens, and rookie linebacker Jaishawn Barham stepped up and proved himself. Dallas needed a big performance from Barham after DeMarvion Overshown was ruled out with a hamstring injury. Barham wouldn’t disappoint either, leaving the game with seven tackles, two big tackles for loss and one quarterback hurry, all coming at crucial points in this game. Showing he's more than capable of manning the middle of this Cowboys defense and the best run defending linebacker they have.
Barham would take on the most physically imposing running back in the NFL, Derrick Henry, multiple times in this game meeting him in the backfield on fourth down goal line stand, going one-on-one
with Henry in the backfield after shooting a gap in the offensive line, stopping him for a loss and turnover on downs with 13:06 left in the fourth quarter.
He would meet Henry in a two vs. one situation later in the fourth quarter and drop Henry for another loss on a third and one play, with 8:22 left to play. This time, he violently shed a tight end's block and stuffed the Ravens' star running back, helping Dallas get the football back while proving he isn't going to back down from anyone, even the most dominant running backs in the NFL.
Clearly the Ravens simply weren't ready for Barham's physical style of play. Entering the game, Henry was averaging 5.3 yards per carry through two games. Against Barham and the Cowboys, he averaged just 3.4 yards per attempt. Barham's presence was a major factor for Dallas. According to NextGenStats, the Ravens averaged 2.4 fewer yards per rush with Barham on the field than when he was off it (6.0 vs. 8.4). They also posted a success rate that was 8.3 percentage points lower (50.0% vs. 58.3%).
The rookie linebacker has already given Dallas more than many expected at this stage of his career, and his energy has clearly impacted those around him. This performance should further solidify Barham's case as a starter moving forward and could push Dee Winters into a reduced role once Overshown returns. Barham's physicality, instincts, closing speed and overall effectiveness on the field have earned him that opportunity, started making opposing offenses take notice, and they made him the clear choice for Player of the Game honors.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Jaishawn Barham passes Ravens test, earns POTG honors
