Week 13 of NFL action concludes with the Dallas Cowboys (3-8, 1-4 away) against the Baltimore Ravens (6-5, 2-3 home). Both teams are struggled in recent weeks, with the Cowboys losing five of their last six and the Ravens dropping three in a row. Kickoff is set for 8:05 p.m. EST at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MA. The Ravens are an 8.5-point home favorite in the cross-division contest.
What to Know – Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys haven’t been the same since the loss of their starting quarterback Dak Prescott went down with a season-ending ankle injury in Week 5. Since then, the Cowboys’ five losses have come by an average of 18 points. Dallas has also lost their All-Pro offensive lineman Zach Martin for possibly the season with a calf injury.
Andy Dalton completed 25-of-35 passes for 215 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in the blowout loss. In his two starts since missing time with a concussion, Dalton has tossed four touchdowns and two picks on 67 attempts.
Dallas could not get the ground game going against Washington, compiling just 60 yards on the ground. Ezekiel Elliott carried the ball ten times for 32 yards to pace the Dallas rushing attack. The Cowboys will have another tough test Tuesday against a Ravens defense that is allowing 111.6 yards on the ground per game.
Amari Cooper (six catches, 112 yards, one touchdown) and Michael Gallup (six catches, 41 yards) each hauled in six receptions apiece while tight end Dalton Schultz and CeeDee Lamb had five each.
What to Know – Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore has suffered three straight losses by a combined total of 17 points. The losing streak has dropped the Ravens to third in the AFC North standings. Baltimore’s schedule is favorable for the remainder of the season, with four of their remaining five opponents with losing records.
Lamar Jackson will be back for the Ravens after missing last week’s game against the Steelers due to COVID-19 tracing. Robert Griffin III got the start in Jackson’s absence, and Trace McSorely finished Wednesday’s game for Baltimore.
Running backs Mark Ingram Jr and J.K. Dobbins also missed the midweek showdown, but both are expected to be back Tuesday against the Cowboys. Justice Hill (nine carries, 35 yards) and Gus Edwards (nine carries, 10 yards, one touchdown) split the majority of the carries with those two sidelined.
The Ravens only threw for 110 yards through the air, with most of those yards coming on a 70-yard touchdown reception by Marquise Brown.
The Pick is In
Dallas has had five extra days of rest compared to the Ravens, which will play a significant role in this game. The Ravens are expected to still be without a handful of players, which will benefit the Cowboys. Another interesting key to the game will be how Jackson looks after a quarantine period and lack of preparation and practice. If the Cowboys can continue to gel offensively with Dalton under center, this game will be close.
The Pick: Cowboys +8.5
