The Baltimore Ravens appeared headed for another frustrating afternoon before Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson changed the complexion of Sunday’s game in Rio de Janeiro. Baltimore endured a mistake-filled opening quarter but recovered to take a 17-13 lead over the Dallas Cowboys into halftime at Maracanã Stadium. Here are five takeaways from the opening 30 minutes.
Derrick Henry continues making history
Henry entered the afternoon with a favorable matchup and became Baltimore’s offensive centerpiece after a slow start.
The veteran carried 13 times for 47 yards and two touchdowns, bringing his total to six rushing scores through three games. He scored his first touchdown on a direct snap from four yards and completed a six-play, 60-yard response after Dallas took a 10-0 lead.
Henry’s
second score tied him with Ray Rice for second place in Ravens history with 37 rushing touchdowns. He also passed Eric Dickerson for ninth place on the NFL’s career rushing list and became the oldest player in league history to score six touchdowns through the first three games of a season.
The Ravens survived an ugly opening
Baltimore’s first 10 minutes included a punt, a failed fourth-down attempt, a muffed kickoff, a facemask penalty, and several missed tackles. Jackson also missed an open Mark Andrews on third down, while Henry was stopped on fourth-and-short. The Ravens could have allowed those mistakes to snowball after falling behind 10-0. Instead, they responded with 17 consecutive points and controlled most of the second quarter.
Lamar Jackson’s legs changed the game
Jackson completed 6 of 9 passes for 58 yards, but his rushing ability provided Baltimore’s most important early spark.
His 21-yard run began the Ravens’ first touchdown drive and immediately placed stress on a Dallas defense that entered Sunday having allowed more rushing yards to quarterbacks than any other team. Baltimore accumulated 91 rushing yards on 19 first-half attempts. Jackson and Justice Hill combined for 44 yards, preventing Dallas from focusing exclusively on Henry.
Baltimore’s defense settled down
Dallas rushed for 78 yards and averaged 5.2 yards per attempt, so Baltimore’s run defense still has plenty to correct.
The situational defense improved as the half progressed. The Ravens stopped Dallas on fourth-and-1, held the Cowboys to 2 of 6 on third down, and limited Dak Prescott to 73 passing yards.
Roquan Smith recorded Baltimore’s only sack and reached 700 career solo tackles. Trenton Simpson continued his strong start with a tackle for loss, while Chidobe Awuzie received snaps at outside cornerback after Jesse Minter said the Ravens needed to expand his role.
Mark Andrews’ injury bears watching
Andrews was listed as questionable to return after suffering a hand injury. He caught one pass for nine yards on three targets before leaving.
His absence created an opportunity for Josh Cuevas, who recorded his first NFL catch for 14 yards.
Zay Flowers returned after missing Week 2 and caught two passes for 29 yards during the first half. Baltimore will need him, Rashod Bateman, and its remaining tight ends to become more involved if Andrews cannot return.
Final analysis
The Ravens recovered well enough to take the lead, but the first half also showed how quickly self-inflicted mistakes can place them in danger. Their ability to protect the football, contain Dallas’ running game, and continue feeding Henry will determine whether they can finish the afternoon with a victory.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: 5 takeaways from Ravens’ first half against Cowboys in Brazil
