Who’s The Lamar ‘Spy’? Cowboys vs. Ravens: 3 Things To Look For
The Dallas Cowboys will be looking to bounce back from a horror-show loss last week and keep the Baltimore Ravens winless in 2024 at AT&T Stadium in Week 3.
The Cowboys know how important this game is at this early stage of the season, and if they suffer the same fate as last week, the media storm surrounding the franchise will only continue to grow.
With so many storylines to follow, here are three keys to watch as Dallas seeks retribution.
Don't get beat by what you know, Dallas.
Overshown did it against Deshaun Watson in Week 1 as he played a significant number of snaps, to be almost left out of the game entirely against the New Orleans Saints with Alvin Kamara running wild.
Will the ex-Longhorns heat-seeking missile get the job of containing Lamar? He is likely the only defensive player with the sideline-to-sideline speed to curtail Jackson, but he has to be on the field first.
What about Micah Parsons in that role? Dallas coordinator Mike Zimmer has mentioned that. But if Micah is the spy, it takes him away from the do-everything ability he has in other areas.
If the Cowboys don't get Overshown to try and keep Jackson in check and No. 8 runs all over the defense, there will be a lot of questions asked.
After missing just one week, Pro Bowl tight end Ferguson's absence was felt against the Saints...and hard.
With only CeeDee Lamb as the main threat, the Saints simply sat back and dared the lesser names to beat them. But now that the "big biscuit" is back, how often will Dak Prescott and Mike McCarthy look his way?
Our own Mike Fisher calls Ferguson "the No. 2 receiver on the team,'' and he has to be used as such to help ease the pressure on Lamb.
Related: Can Cowboys Be 'Finishers' vs. Ravens? Zack Martin Scouting ReportThe biggest difference in the game for Dallas last week was each team's red zone performances (aside from the rushing attack). The Cowboys were 0-3 in the redone, while the Saints were 4/5.
Against an opponent like Baltimore, Dallas has to cash in when it gets the chance.
The Ravens' defense held the Kansas City Chiefs to 1/3 in the red zone, while the Las Vegas Raiders last week were 2/3.
Dak Prescott and the Cowboys have to score touchdowns here, not field goals. Can they do it? That is one of the three keys that we bet decide the outcome in this Sunday afternoon marquee matchup.
This story was originally published September 22, 2024, 7:18 AM.
