The Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys enter Week 3 in similar situations. Both teams sit at 1-1. Both believe they have enough talent to make noise this season. Both are looking to build momentum before the calendar flips to October.
The difference is how they arrived here. Dallas is coming off a confidence-building victory over the hated Washington Commanders, while Baltimore is still trying to digesta frustrating fourth-quarter collapse against the New Orleans Saints. The Ravens now travel to Rio de Janeiro knowing they cannot afford to let one loss turn into two.
If you've never been to Brazil, take this next statement as gospel. It's an easy place to lose focus. Make no mistake, though. These are professionals, and this is a business trip.
If Baltimore expects to leave Brazil with a win, several Cowboys will need to be contained.
Dak Prescott, quarterback
It's September, and we're nearing its end. October is approaching, which usually means one thing for opposing defenses: Dak Prescott is finding his groove and at his most dangerous. He enters this matchup fresh off one of the best performances of his season. He completed 26 of 31 passes for 279 yards and threw four touchdowns, leading Dallas to a 37-20 victory over Washington.
He also became the Cowboys' all-time leader in touchdown passes. Baltimore knows exactly what kind of challenge he presents. Prescott is at his best when he can operate comfortably from the pocket and distribute the football to his playmakers. If the Ravens allow him to settle in early, Dallas has enough weapons to create problems all afternoon.
CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, wide receivers
Few receiving duos are more dangerous than this one. CeeDee Lamb remains one of football's premier receivers and is coming off a huge performance against Washington, including 153 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Pickens complements him perfectly, giving Prescott another big-play option who can win contested catches downfield.
Together, they have 22 receptions, 265 yards, and three TDs this season (all by Lamb). Nate Wiggins, Marlon Humphrey and the rest of Baltimore's secondary will be tested from the opening kickoff. If Lamb and Pickens consistently win on the outside, the Ravens could find themselves chasing points again.
Caleb Downs, safety
Not every game-changing player lines up on offense. Caleb Downs has wasted no time acclimating himself to the professional game. He has been everywhere through two weeks. He leads Dallas in tackles and has already shown a knack for creating momentum-changing plays.
Whether he's supporting the run defense or attacking the football, he has quickly become one of the Cowboys' most productive defenders. He leads all Cowboys defenders in total tackles (18 and solo tackles (11). He also has a sack, three forced fumbles, and a pass breakup through two games. Ball security will be a major emphasis for Baltimore this week, especially after mistakes proved costly against the Saints.
Donovan Ezeiruaku, linebacker
The Cowboys expected Donovan Ezeiruaku to make an impact. Few expected it to happen this quickly. He has been one of Dallas' most active defenders through two games, piling up tackles while making life difficult on opposing offenses.
Players like Ezeiruaku rarely receive the same attention as the stars, but they often become the reason drives stall. The Ravens already have enough self-inflicted wounds to clean up. They cannot allow Ezeiruaku to create additional ones.
Quinnen Williams, defensive tackle
A well-known star who was acquired in a trade with the New York Jets last season. He has amassed even total tackles this season, including one for loss. He has forced a fumble, but he is still looking for his first sack of the season.
It will come at some point. Ravens fans hope it doesn't come at Lamar Jackson's expense. The key takeaway is that Quinnen Williams remains one of the NFL's most disruptive interior defenders, regardless of what the sack column says. He can wreck an offensive game plan in more ways than one. His ability to collapse the pocket and create chaos inside will test a Baltimore offensive line that has experienced some growing pains through two games.
Lamar Jackson's mobility can erase many mistakes. The Ravens would prefer not to test that theory repeatedly against Williams.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: 6 Cowboys players the Ravens must contain in Week 3 matchup in Brazil
