Ravens vs Cowboys NFL Week 3 Preview - Jon Gruden's PICK!

Jon Gruden
21 Sept 202423:44

Summary

TLDRThis week's NFL game in Dallas features a crucial match-up between the 0-2 Baltimore Ravens and the Dallas Cowboys, who are reeling from a tough loss to the Saints. Both teams, led by veteran coaches John Harbaugh and Mike McCarthy, face adversity with the Ravens experiencing an unusual losing streak. The game will showcase dynamic quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Dak Prescott, and the Ravens' beleaguered offensive line against the Cowboys' aggressive defense. The summary also highlights the importance of the Ravens' defense, which has been a dominant force historically but is currently struggling with new changes and injuries.

Takeaways

  • 🏈 The Baltimore Ravens are facing a challenging 0-2 start for the first time in nine years.
  • πŸ€” Both the Ravens and the Cowboys are dealing with adversity, with the Ravens looking to prove their early losses are not indicative of their season.
  • πŸ‘€ The game features two dynamic quarterbacks, Lamar Jackson and Dak Prescott, who are expected to make significant impacts.
  • πŸ›‘ The Ravens' offensive line is under significant pressure after losing key players and struggling in the first two games.
  • πŸ” The Dallas Cowboys' defense is under scrutiny after a poor performance against the Saints, and they need to improve their run defense and pass rush.
  • πŸ‘₯ Both teams have veteran coaches, John Harbaugh and Mike McCarthy, who are expected to make key strategic decisions.
  • 🚨 The Ravens' defense, which was historically dominant, has shown vulnerabilities in the early season, including issues with coverage and communication.
  • πŸ‘ Micah Parsons is expected to have a significant impact for the Cowboys, especially in pressuring the quarterback.
  • πŸ‘• The Cowboys' offense, with rookies on the line, will look to establish a running game to balance their attack.
  • πŸ€·β€β™‚οΈ The Ravens' slow start has raised questions about their defense's ability to adjust and whether their offensive line can protect their quarterback.

Q & A

  • What is the significance of the upcoming game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Dallas Cowboys?

    -The game is significant because it features two veteran coaches, John Harbaugh and Mike McCarthy, both with teams facing adversity. The Ravens are 0 and 2 for the first time in nine years, and the Cowboys are looking to bounce back from a tough loss to the New Orleans Saints.

  • How have the Baltimore Ravens performed in their first two games of the season?

    -The Baltimore Ravens have started the season with two losses, which is a surprising 0-2 start for a team that has been at the top of their division year in and year out.

  • What is the expectation for the Dallas Cowboys' performance after their loss to the Saints?

    -There is anticipation to see how the Cowboys will respond at home against a Ravens team desperately looking for a victory. The expectation is that they will need to improve on their defensive and offensive strategies to avoid another loss.

  • Who are the key quarterbacks in the upcoming game between the Ravens and the Cowboys?

    -The key quarterbacks in the game are Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens and Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys, both of whom have proven to be dynamic playmakers.

  • What challenges does the Ravens' offensive line face going into the game against the Cowboys?

    -The Ravens' offensive line is under significant pressure due to recent losses of key players and the need to protect their quarterback better. They have been struggling with penalties, assignment issues, and protection breakdowns.

  • How have the Ravens' defensive performances changed from last year, and what impact has it had on their current season?

    -The Ravens' defense, which was dominant last year, is currently giving up almost 260 yards a game passing, with a completion rate of 76% and an average of almost nine yards per pass. This is a significant change from their performance last year where they led the league in sacks, takeaways, and points per game allowed.

  • What is the current status of the Ravens' key defensive players, and how might it affect their game against the Cowboys?

    -The Ravens have lost some key defensive players like Patrick Queen to the Pittsburgh Steelers and are breaking in new starters like Trenton Simpson. Their performance so far has been inconsistent, which could be a concern against a strong Cowboys offense.

  • What adjustments does the Cowboys' offense need to make to improve their performance against the Ravens?

    -The Cowboys' offense, led by Dak Prescott, needs to establish a better running game, utilize their offensive weapons more effectively, and maintain balance to reduce pressure on the rookie offensive line.

  • How important is the performance of the Cowboys' defensive line, particularly Micah Parsons, in the upcoming game?

    -The performance of the Cowboys' defensive line, especially Micah Parsons, is crucial. They need to step up and make a significant impact to help the team get back on track after a poor defensive showing against the Saints.

  • What are the expectations for the kicking game in the Ravens and Cowboys match-up?

    -The game features two of the best kickers in NFL history, Justin Tucker for the Ravens and Brett Maher for the Cowboys. Both have impressive statistics, especially from long distances, which could be a deciding factor in a close game.

Outlines

00:00

🏈 Anticipating a Clash of Struggling Teams

The script discusses an upcoming football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Dallas Cowboys. Both teams are facing adversity, with the Ravens surprisingly starting the season 0-2 and the Cowboys recovering from a tough loss to the New Orleans Saints. The focus is on the veteran coaches, John Harbaugh and Mike McCarthy, and their strategies to handle the pressure. The Ravens' championship mindset and the Cowboys' response to their embarrassing loss are highlighted. The script also emphasizes the importance of both teams' quarterbacks, Lamar Jackson and Dak Prescott, and their roles in turning the season around. Additionally, the challenges faced by the Ravens' offensive line due to injuries and new starters are discussed, along with the potential impact of key players like Micah Parsons for the Cowboys.

05:01

πŸ›‘οΈ Defensive Struggles and Coaching Adjustments

This paragraph delves into the defensive issues of the Baltimore Ravens, who are allowing significantly more yards and completions than in previous seasons. The loss of their defensive coordinator and changes in defensive strategy are noted, with the team's pass rush and coverage being particular concerns. The script also mentions the need for the Ravens' linebackers to step up and the challenges they face against the Dallas Cowboys' offensive capabilities. Specific attention is given to the performance of the secondary and the importance of fixing communication breakdowns and coverage issues. The paragraph also touches on the Cowboys' offensive line, which includes two rookies, and the potential for the team to lean on their running game to balance their offense.

10:04

πŸš€ Offensive Tactics and Player Performance

The focus shifts to the offensive strategies of the Dallas Cowboys, emphasizing the need for a balanced attack and the utilization of their star players, such as tight end Blake Jarwin and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. The script discusses the importance of the Cowboys' offensive line protecting their quarterback, Dak Prescott, and the potential for the team to increase the tempo of the game to exploit weaknesses in the Ravens' defense. Additionally, the paragraph highlights the need for the Cowboys to improve their performance in the red zone and the importance of their defensive unit to bounce back from a poor performance against the Saints.

15:05

πŸƒβ€β™‚οΈ Addressing Defensive Weaknesses and Run Game

This section of the script concentrates on the Dallas Cowboys' defensive performance, particularly their issues with defending against the run and their need to improve their tackling and gap control. It emphasizes the importance of the defensive line, especially Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, in pressuring the quarterback and setting the tone for the game. The script also discusses the challenges the Ravens' offense faces, particularly their offensive line, which has struggled with protection and penalties. The need for the Ravens to establish a strong run game with Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry is highlighted as a key to their success.

20:05

πŸ”„ Offensive Line Woes and Strategic Adjustments

The final paragraph addresses the significant problems faced by the Baltimore Ravens' offensive line, which has been a major factor in the team's poor start to the season. It discusses the individual struggles of linemen and the collective issues that have led to poor protection for the quarterback and difficulties in running the ball. The script suggests that the Ravens need to make strategic adjustments, such as utilizing more traditional run plays and better ball distribution, to improve their offensive performance. The importance of protecting the passer and establishing a strong run game is reiterated as crucial for the Ravens to avoid a 0-3 start to the season.

Mindmap

Keywords

πŸ’‘Adversity

Adversity refers to difficult or unfavorable conditions and circumstances. In the video script, it is used to describe the challenges faced by both the Baltimore Ravens and the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL season. The script mentions that both teams are 'facing a lot of adversity,' indicating that they are struggling with their performance and need to overcome these challenges to succeed.

πŸ’‘Veteran Coaches

Veteran coaches are experienced and seasoned coaches in the field. The script highlights the presence of veteran coaches John Harbaugh and Mike McCarthy, emphasizing their experience and the impact they could have on guiding their respective teams through difficult times. The expectation is that their veteran status will bring stability and strategic advantage to their teams.

πŸ’‘Playmakers

In American football, a playmaker is a player who has the ability to make significant plays that can change the outcome of the game. The script refers to quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Dak Prescott as 'Dynamic Playmakers,' suggesting that they have the potential to significantly influence the game's result with their skills and decision-making on the field.

πŸ’‘Ravens Offensive Line

The offensive line in football consists of the players who block for the quarterback and create running lanes for the running backs. The script discusses the struggles of the Baltimore Ravens' offensive line, which has been 'under fire' due to injuries and new player integrations. This weakness could affect the team's ability to protect their quarterback and establish a running game.

πŸ’‘Defensive Coordinator

A defensive coordinator is a coach responsible for the defense of a football team. The script mentions the Baltimore Ravens' defensive coordinator, noting the changes in the team's defensive strategy and performance. The loss of their previous defensive coordinator and the introduction of a new one have led to shifts in defensive tactics, which are critical to the team's success.

πŸ’‘Blitzes

Blitzes in football refer to aggressive defensive plays where multiple players rush the opposing team's quarterback in an attempt to tackle or sack him. The script indicates a change in the Ravens' defensive strategy, moving from a blitz-heavy approach to more coverage-focused defense, which has impacted their ability to pressure the quarterback and create turnovers.

πŸ’‘Red Zone

The red zone in American football is the area on the field between the 20-yard line and the goal line. It is a critical area where teams aim to score. The script discusses the Dallas Cowboys' performance in the red zone, highlighting their need to improve their ability to score touchdowns instead of settling for field goals when they reach this scoring area.

πŸ’‘Rookie Offensive Line

A rookie offensive line refers to a group of offensive linemen who are in their first year of professional play. The script points out that the Dallas Cowboys have two rookies starting on their offensive line, which is unusual and could be a point of concern due to the inexperience that might lead to protection and blocking issues.

πŸ’‘Pass Rush

A pass rush in football is the act of defensive players attempting to pressure the opposing team's quarterback into making a hurried throw or sack. The script discusses the Baltimore Ravens' need to improve their pass rush to be more effective in their defensive strategy, which is crucial for disrupting the opponent's offensive plays.

πŸ’‘Field Goals

A field goal in American football is a method of scoring by kicking the ball through the goalposts. The script mentions field goals as part of the discussion on the Dallas Cowboys' performance, noting that they scored field goals instead of touchdowns in certain situations, which could indicate a need for better offensive execution in high-scoring opportunities.

πŸ’‘Run Fits

Run fits in football refer to the proper alignment and positioning of defensive players to stop the run effectively. The script suggests that the Dallas Cowboys need to improve their run fits to better handle the Baltimore Ravens' running game, which is essential for preventing big gains and maintaining defensive control.

Highlights

The Baltimore Ravens are facing the Dallas Cowboys with both teams at a critical juncture, the Ravens at 0-2 and the Cowboys recovering from a tough loss.

Veteran coaches John Harbaugh and Mike McCarthy are set to face off, each with teams needing a turnaround.

The Ravens, historically strong, are experiencing an unusual 0-2 start for the first time in nine years.

The Cowboys are eager to bounce back from a demoralizing defeat against the Saints.

Dynamic quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Dak Prescott are poised to make significant impacts.

The Ravens' offensive line is under immense pressure after losing key players to free agency.

The Cowboys' defense is under scrutiny after a poor performance against the Saints.

Micah Parsons is expected to have a breakout game, leveraging his talent and stamina.

The Ravens' defense, historically dominant, is currently allowing more yards and completions than usual.

The Cowboys' offense, with talented players like CeeDee Lamb, is expected to be a key factor.

The Ravens' special teams, with kicker Justin Tucker, could be a deciding factor with his high success rate.

The Cowboys will rely on their offensive head coach Mike McCarthy to strategize against the Ravens' defense.

The Ravens' new defensive coordinator faces challenges in maintaining the team's historical defensive prowess.

The game's outcome may hinge on the Cowboys' ability to protect their quarterback and establish a running game.

The Ravens' offense must find a way to overcome their offensive line struggles to support Jackson and Henry.

Both teams are looking to avoid a 0-3 start, which would have significant implications for their seasons.

Transcripts

play00:00

we have a big game this week in Dallas

play00:02

again this week it's the Baltimore

play00:04

Ravens coming to town and the Ravens

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shockingly are 0 and2 and the Cowboys

play00:09

are getting off the mat after a very

play00:12

difficult game against the New Orleans

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Saints I can't wait to see these two

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veteran coaches John Harbaugh and Mike

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McCarthy with two teams facing a lot of

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adversity we've seen the Ravens at the

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top of this division year in and year

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out but this is the first time in nine

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years the Baltimore Ravens show up 0

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and2 I can't wait to see the

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championship mindset that walks out of

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that locker room are they going to play

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like Ravens and prove that the first two

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weeks weren't for real or what I can't

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wait to find out and the Dallas Cowboys

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didn't lose last week they got their

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butts kicked I'm anxious to see how they

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respond at home against an opponent

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that's really desperately looking for a

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victory but both teams have veteran

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coaches I can't wait to see those two

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guys how they handle it and both

play01:00

quarterbacks in this game are Dynamic

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Lamar Jackson and Dak Prescott have

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proven to be great Playmakers in games

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like this the Baltimore Ravens for the

play01:12

first time in nine years really have

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their back against the wall it'll be

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interesting to see what comes out of

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their playbook on both sides of the ball

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how do we get it going on offense and

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how do we stop the bleeding on defense

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anything goes when you're 0 and2 on the

play01:28

road you got to find a way to get some

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results and who are the Dallas Cowboys

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really opening week against the

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Cleveland Browns they look like Super

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Bowl champions and then last week they

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couldn't stop the Saints no matter how

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they tried it was an embarrassment but

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who are these Cowboys we'll find out

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Micah Parsons I said last week arguably

play01:49

a modernday Lawrence Taylor but I'm sure

play01:53

he's looking at the tape of Chris Jones

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the Kansas City Chief's pass rusher and

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how much damage he did to this Baltimore

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Raven offensive line the Ravens couldn't

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handle Chris Jones in the opening week

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and then last week Max Crosby my old

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Raider he went to Baltimore and he tore

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this offensive line up and the Cowboys

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need somebody and who else but Micah

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Parsons to really step up and make a

play02:17

huge impact in this game and I expect

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him to do it because he has the talent

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and the stamina to get it done this

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raven offensive line is under Fire don't

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forget they lost their left guard last

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year John Simpson he went to the Jets

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they lost their right tackle Morgan

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Moses he went with them to the Jets and

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Kevin zeitler left it Right Guard to go

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to the Detroit Lions they're breaking in

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a lot of new starters and so far it has

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not been pretty and if it comes down to

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a last second field goal well you got

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two of the best kickers in NFL history

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Tucker for the Ravens is a 90% kicker

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over the course of his career now he has

play02:56

only been one out of seven in his last

play02:58

seven attemp of over 50 yards but this

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guy Aubrey for the cowboys he's 44 out

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of 46 in his career and he's made 13 out

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of 13 from over 50 yards how is that

play03:10

possible anyways we got a big game here

play03:12

two teams facing adversity and this will

play03:16

be a four quarter down to the wire

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finish when you look at the Baltimore

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Ravens defense over the course of the

play03:24

last 20 years there's a lot of memories

play03:27

and all the memories of the Raven

play03:29

defense are them kicking your butt they

play03:31

have been really good I mean they have

play03:33

been physical they've been dominant and

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last year the Baltimore defense to put

play03:38

this in perspective they were the first

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defense ever in the history of our

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league to lead the league in sacks

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takeaways points per game they allowed

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the fewest yards passing per game they

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only gave up 4.7 yards per attempt they

play03:54

were dominant last year a lot of people

play03:56

thought they were going to win the Super

play03:58

Bowl because of this great defense they

play04:01

lost their defensive coordinator

play04:02

rightfully so he got a head coaching job

play04:04

coach McDonald got the job in Seattle

play04:07

they're two and0 he's probably a big

play04:08

reason why but now they got a new

play04:10

defensive coordinator coach or and you

play04:12

don't want to blame anybody for the slow

play04:15

start but there is a lot of change here

play04:17

on this Baltimore defense right now

play04:20

they're giving up almost 260 yards a

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game passing they're giv up

play04:25

76% completions and almost nine yards

play04:28

per pass that's a a clearly different

play04:31

deal than last year well what's happened

play04:34

when I watch the Ravens carefully

play04:36

they're pretty basic on defense I'm used

play04:39

to seeing Rex Ryan and all the moving

play04:41

pieces that they had with their previous

play04:43

defensive staffs but now they're pretty

play04:45

much static they play a lot more

play04:48

coverage than they do

play04:50

blitzes that's a change they've given up

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a lot of explosive plays in the first

play04:55

two games and they've

play04:57

uncharacteristically had a lot of busts

play04:59

in coverage I mean the Kansas City

play05:00

Chiefs had seven plays of 20 yards or

play05:03

more and they really should have had a

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couple others guys are wide open the

play05:06

running backs they dropped the ball it

play05:08

doesn't look like it's all happening

play05:11

right now they blow a coverage against

play05:13

worthy 50-yard touchdown pass the chief

play05:16

score no one touches the guy he's wide

play05:18

open so they've had some communication

play05:20

breakdowns they've clearly not been the

play05:23

same for whatever reason but they better

play05:25

get it fixed fast because the Dallas

play05:28

Cowboys can throw the football ball they

play05:30

know how to throw the football and they

play05:32

will throw it repeatedly if this stuff

play05:34

doesn't change the other thing is late

play05:37

in the game against the Las Vegas

play05:39

Raiders I was shocked to see them

play05:41

leaving Devonte Adams out there in

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one-on-one coverage they had a 10-point

play05:45

lead in the fourth quarter I was

play05:47

thinking for sure they would lean the

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free safety somebody over there to help

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against Devonte Adams but Adams shredded

play05:55

the Ravens at crunch time last week in

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Baltimore so I'm sure there's a a lot of

play06:00

emphasis on getting these coverage

play06:02

schemes fixed because they have the

play06:05

Personnel to do it now they did lose

play06:08

Patrick Queen a great linebacker last

play06:10

year he's with the Pittsburgh Steelers

play06:12

we'll talk about Queen later they're

play06:14

breaking in Trenton Simpson a second

play06:17

round or third round draft choice last

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year from Clemson you'll see him wearing

play06:21

number 23 he's got a pick up his play

play06:25

and roquan Smith wearing number zero is

play06:28

still an outstanding linebacker but

play06:31

these two linebackers they have to get

play06:34

this defense going and on the road in

play06:36

Dallas that's going to be critical the

play06:39

pass rush is probably the other point

play06:42

that has not been up to speed with the

play06:45

Ravens other than o number 99 they

play06:48

haven't had the pass rush that we're

play06:50

accustomed to see I know Jade devian

play06:52

Clowny left for Carolina but matabi got

play06:54

the huge contract and other than the

play06:57

sack and the personal foul last week

play06:59

against against the Ravens I haven't

play07:01

felt old number 92 turn the game around

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yet I think he needs to come out and

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have a party in Dallas if the Ravens are

play07:09

going to win but here's the two best

play07:11

rushers for Baltimore Jones 98 benoi 53

play07:16

number 90 ojabo is a great story he has

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a sack he had an injury a year ago he's

play07:23

coming back from it he has some juice

play07:26

but this pass rush has been inconsistent

play07:29

and with the lack of

play07:31

blitzing quarterbacks have had a lot of

play07:33

time to drop back and throw it that's

play07:34

why they're averaging so many yards per

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play and yards per game and Dak Prescott

play07:39

needs to be under duress in this game if

play07:41

Baltimore is going to win the secondary

play07:43

is talented they lost Wiggins their

play07:47

cornerback first round pick from Clemson

play07:49

he got in a car accident we're hoping

play07:51

he's okay we don't know his status but

play07:54

when you look at the talent in this

play07:56

secondary humph 44 Hamilton an

play07:59

allpurpose nickel Corner free safety

play08:02

wherever you want them to play great

play08:03

player Marcus Williams Stevens 21 they

play08:06

have too much talent not to rise to this

play08:10

challenge against this Dallas Cowboy

play08:12

offense but they must fix the blown

play08:15

coverages they got to tighten up their

play08:17

pass defense and rev up this pass rush

play08:20

if they have any chance to stop the

play08:22

slide they've lost three games in a row

play08:24

dating back to last year's playoff loss

play08:26

to the Chiefs the Dallas Cowboys offense

play08:29

still very talented but as we said last

play08:31

week these Cowboys are starting two

play08:34

rookies on their offensive line gon is

play08:37

playing at left tackle BB's playing at

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Center two rookies starting in your

play08:43

offensive line this early in the season

play08:45

that's pretty uncommon for a team like

play08:47

the Dallas Cowboys but both players have

play08:50

played surprisingly well they've held

play08:52

their own and they're getting better and

play08:53

that's a good sign for the Cowboys a lot

play08:55

of people are saying ah the lack of the

play08:57

running game the lack of the well last

play08:59

week against the Saints are you really

play09:01

going to run the ball in the second half

play09:03

and you're down by three scores probably

play09:05

not they got to get Zeke Elliott going a

play09:09

lot of people are criticizing Zeke

play09:11

saying his best days are behind him he

play09:13

can still run the Rock and catch the

play09:15

ball out of the back field they still

play09:17

use dowle you'll see him 23 coming into

play09:20

the game he's a really good

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complimentary back and for all you

play09:24

Cowboy fans they got dvin cook the ex

play09:27

Minnesota Viking on the practice Squad

play09:30

in the bullpen if needed but I think

play09:32

they got to start to lean on this

play09:34

running game a little bit to get some

play09:36

balance back in this offense help their

play09:38

rookie left tackle help this rookie

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Center so it's not a pass protection

play09:43

snap every single play Ferguson is a

play09:46

very good tight end for the Cowboys and

play09:49

he was sorely missed last week against

play09:51

the New Orleans Saints I don't know how

play09:53

many times I've seen Dak get out of

play09:55

trouble scramble and find Ferguson for

play09:58

huge first downs it looks like Ferguson

play10:00

is back and ready to go that is huge for

play10:03

the Dallas Cowboys because they can line

play10:06

him up in multiple spots in the slot at

play10:09

wide receiver he's a good blocker very

play10:12

good tight end that is a huge addition

play10:15

to this offense CD lamb one of the top

play10:19

receivers in football we all know he

play10:21

held out missed almost the entire

play10:22

training camp this is week three for CD

play10:25

lamb and we expect to see a lot more of

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him I think Mike McCarthy is going to

play10:31

turn up the CD lamb fantasy football

play10:34

meter this week you'll see Lamb in

play10:36

Motion in the slot he'll be playing the

play10:38

three spot the two spot left side right

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side I'd be surprised if he doesn't get

play10:43

12 to 15 targets minimum because this

play10:46

guy is where you go when you need to

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turn your season around they also have

play10:50

Brandon Cooks number three who's a

play10:53

dynamic route Runner especially in the

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Red Zone he has Wicked double moves he

play10:58

can change speeds and he still has the

play11:00

juice to run by you and don't forget

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number one Tolbert he's a great 5050

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ball guy he got one last week against

play11:07

the Saints every week when Prescott get

play11:10

in trouble that's where he's going with

play11:12

one of those 50-50 balls but I think

play11:14

this game for the Cowboys is going to

play11:16

come down to their offensive head coach

play11:18

Mike McCarthy he's one of the best

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offensive guys we have in the league and

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he has a veteran quarterback and Dak

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Prescott who was second in the league to

play11:26

the MVP last year this guy's talented

play11:29

I think they're going to rev up the

play11:31

tempo they got a new system they got a

play11:34

new defensive coordinator they got a

play11:36

defense that's kind of on the ropes

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they're playing at home let's rev up the

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tempo let's use some of our exotic

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formations and let's feature the great

play11:44

CD lamb and let's go I think it's

play11:47

critical I think they're gonna lean on

play11:49

Dak Prescott let him play at the line of

play11:52

scrimmage he'll recognize some coverages

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he'll audible to some runs he'll get him

play11:56

in some Advantage passes and they're

play11:58

going to do do a good job I think with

play12:01

Prescott's playmaking keeping plays

play12:03

alive that's when the Cowboys are at

play12:05

their best when Dak has the ball in his

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hands read options boot legs drop back

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passes and make sure we have a little

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bit of balance don't forget about our

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guy Zeke Elliott and finish drives the

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Cowboys were poor last week in the red

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zone three times they got down there

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against the Saints just two field goals

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got to get some touch Downs down there I

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know it sounds like coaching cliches but

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the Cowboys offense against this reeling

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Baltimore

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defense you should expect a lot if

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you're the Cowboys the Dallas Cowboys

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defense is coming off a very poor

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performance and I'm sure they've heard

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it all week from the media the print the

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sports radio shows they probably even

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heard it from their wives and

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girlfriends the coaches have been on

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their case I've been there before it's

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hard man but I know this they got a lot

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of football character in that locker

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room led by Mike Zimmer their defensive

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coordinator they got a lot of well-known

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Cowboy players and I guarantee you

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they've had a good week of practice they

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better have because last week's film is

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out there for people to look at they

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gave up 9.7 yards per play that's

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unheard of and their defensive tackle

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play and their linebacker play was not

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good they they were gashed in the

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running game and in the passing game now

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the Cowboys played very good defense in

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week one against deshun Watson on the

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road at Cleveland and they managed

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Watson's scrambling pretty good and that

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that's what they're going to have to do

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in this game against Lamar Jackson so

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there is some work with spying on

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quarterbacks and dealing with the

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plastering in the secondary and relating

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to these mobile quarterbacks but they

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got to do a better job getting off

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blocks better pad level and allowing

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these linebackers to have a chance I

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mean they got ashed last week and the

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play action passes killed them

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everybody's like where's the pass rush

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where's the they only threw it 16 times

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so when you throw the ball 16 times in a

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game you don't get any at bats so

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Parsons lorrence they don't get to pin

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their ears back if they don't stop the

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run and get the Baltimore Ravens into

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third down we're not going to see the

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greatness in some of these pass rushers

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but it's very important that the Cowboys

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meet the challenge I'm sure they went to

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nine on seven it's a drill you have on

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the practice field where you work on

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your run fits and your pad level they

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probably had the pads on a lot this week

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getting ready for this Baltimore Raven

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running game because if they're not

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ready they're going to get Mr Henry

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downhill a lot and they better meet that

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challenge the play action pass killed

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the Cowboys last week and what it was

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was a tight end sifting across the ball

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they would double mik aart Carsons and

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the linebackers would step up with the

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action and they were throwing strike

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routes right here to alavi a couple wide

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open the linebackers didn't read out

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there was huge passing lanes and then a

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couple times the safeties got nose

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trouble and they threw a bomb to Rasheed

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Shahed so I guarantee you Baltimore is

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going to run those same plays this week

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until the Cowboys prove they can stop

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them but they got to play better against

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the run and this linebacking core very

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athletic overshown he's capable of had

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having double digit tackles every week

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Clark good player but they got to look

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forward to the Brier patch where the

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heavy artillery is I mean Here Comes

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Henry one of the all-time great running

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backs running off tackle with the 0 and2

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Ravens pissed off ticked off trying to

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win a game you got to meet that

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intensity and look forward to those

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confrontations on first down second and

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six you got to earn the right to rush

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the p

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and to do that they got to shed blocks

play16:01

up front they got to fill these gaps and

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if it's a play action pass they got to

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read out of these things and be a factor

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underneath so they don't get hurt but

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they do have some talents Kendrick's

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number 50 he's getting a little long in

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the tooth but he is a Mike Zimmer

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ProtegΓ© he played for Zimmer in

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Minnesota he knows this defense better

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than everybody he's got to be the leader

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that he is and help this young defense

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pick it up a notch they have a good

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secondary led by Diggs a quality

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cornerback number seven and they have a

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rookie kayin Carson playing number 21

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he's had his ups and he's had his downs

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but if I was a Baltimore Ravens that's

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where I would be looking this guy's got

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to prove his scholarship in the National

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Football League he's had his moments but

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he's going to be tested the defensive

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line of the Dallas Cowboys has two great

play16:56

players Micah Parson and demarc Lawrence

play16:59

and Lawrence is a lot better player than

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people think he gets overshadowed by

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Parsons but these two players got to

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turn it up against this raven offensive

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line the thing you got to look for in

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Parsons is he won't just play over here

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at left defensive end he's going to play

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over here he's going to go after this

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Right Guard I promise you Zimmer will

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move Parsons all over the place if they

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can get the third down they gotta stop

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the run if you're a Cowboy fan when it's

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first down and 10 you better hope it

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becomes second and nine or second and

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eight and get him to third down that's

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where we win this game comes that

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important the defensive tackle play no

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matter how you slice it no matter who

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they put in the game oigi zua Smith a

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first round pick Goldston could be

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Phillips they gotta play better they're

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capable of doing it and they have to do

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it for this Cowboy defense they got to

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stop the run so they can turn up the

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pass rush the Baltimore r Ravens offense

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when you just close your eyes and say

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Baltimore Ravens offense what do you

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think of you know what I think of I

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think of Lamar Jackson running all over

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the place Lamar Jackson he's given me

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nightmares over the years that's what I

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think of and that's what defensive

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coaches think of we have to contain this

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guy we might have to Mush the rush a

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little bit we got to keep him between

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the tackles because if he gets outside

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contain it's a problem but the issue

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right now with the Baltimore Ravens it

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has nothing to do with Lamar Jackson or

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Derrik Henry their great acquisition at

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running back it's about this offensive

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line this offensive line is a huge issue

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they've been outplayed for two weeks and

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it's an understatement we all know

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Stanley is their left tackled he's been

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there a long time he's overcome numerous

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injuries he keeps coming back for more

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he had a critical holding penalty last

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week late against the Raiders that cost

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him their left guard Vorhees has

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struggled big time their Center is a

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good player he's in his third year at

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Right Guard and right tackle that's

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where they have been mismatched the most

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F leley he's a former right tackle that

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they moved into Right Guard he's a

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massive Right Guard but he has really

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struggled in a running game and he has

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really struggled in pass protection and

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people are going after him with their

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best player giving them a two-way go so

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keep an eye on that the right tackle

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McCary has also struggled now mccary's a

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Val valuable guy he's played all five

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positions for the Ravens but as a

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starter in every downright tackle he's

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had his issues their second round pick

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Rosen garton got out there for 19 snaps

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against the Kansas City Chiefs and Chris

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Jones was quick to find him got a sack

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strip fumble changed the game this

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offensive line has struggled from the

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beginning of the game to the end of the

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game they've had way too many penalties

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way too many assignment issues and

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protection breakdowns the pocket is

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collapsing on Jackson quick he can't

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read his progressions he can't get to

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the alternate receivers

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and Derrick Henry has had some negative

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yardage running plays which is uncommon

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but they have to pick it up they got to

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play better collectively they just can't

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count on quality play from the left

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tackle but not the right tackle good

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play from the center but not the left

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guard they've had too many individual

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breakdowns and we can stop it right here

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if this offensive line doesn't pick it

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up the Ravens are going home 0 and three

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looking at a very long dark season

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because they play three division

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champions in a row they got to go to

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Cincinnati they got Buffalo coming in

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they're in trouble if they don't win

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this football game they do have weapons

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but we're not really using all of them

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because we have been one-dimensional in

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our play selection because of the

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struggles up front flowers is an

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excellent receiver number four and they

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try every which way possible to get him

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the ball jet sweeps vertical shots he is

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their go-to receiver a flowers from

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Boston College Isaiah likely if you're a

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fantasy football owner they're really

play21:01

leaning on him a lot he and Mark Andrews

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number 89 give the Ravens two very good

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tight ends that can run an array of

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routes and line up in a lot of different

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formations but Nelson agalar and baitman

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have been pretty much invisible in the

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first two weeks they got to get some

play21:18

better ball distribution but that's easy

play21:21

for me to say if they don't protect the

play21:24

passer better it's going to be a very

play21:26

difficult season for all these receivers

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in the football Derk Henry and Lamar

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Jackson are the key I think to unlocking

play21:34

this season they got to get this running

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game going put the big boy pads on and

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let's go I'd like to see Lamar get under

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the center and put Derk Henry in the eye

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formation about seven and a half or

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eight yards deep and let this guy get a

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big head of steam going forget the

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shotgun run a little bit and these

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slower developing Zone read plays Let

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The King get back there and read some

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blocks and get some momentum With That

play22:03

Big Frame and finish some runs against

play22:05

these undersized linebackers of the

play22:07

Cowboys and then some bootlegs and then

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some mixture of Lamar Jackson's Wizardry

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will be a good combination for the

play22:15

Baltimore Ravens they're getting so many

play22:18

loaded boxes right now the Raiders put

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them all up there Blitz if Lamar keeps

play22:24

it there's a safety standing right there

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they did a great job neutralizing

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Jackson at some point we have to be able

play22:32

to throw the ball on first down with

play22:33

more success and take advantage of some

play22:35

of these loaded

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boxes not many explosive plays in

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Baltimore and arguably it all goes back

play22:43

to our inability to consistently protect

play22:45

our

play22:46

passer but the way we have started games

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has really affected the Baltimore

play22:51

football team last week first play of

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the game sack uh body language it just

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doesn't feel like the Ravens right now

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so I think just getting a couple first

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downs early in the game generating some

play23:05

confidence in this offensive line

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getting everybody on the same page and

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playing like Ravens I think is the key

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for the Baltimore Ravens to win this

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game but here at the ffca we sit here

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and watch tape all day you got to pick

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somebody and I just say how about them

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Cowboys Dallas is back this week man

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it's going to be a big we for them like

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Nik now she all Fey my soy got me

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feeling niy

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[Music]

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Related Tags
NFLRavensCowboysAdversityJohn HarbaughMike McCarthyLamar JacksonDak PrescottMicah ParsonsDefense Strategy