Ravens at Cowboys Week 11: Game preview, odds, prediction
By Rashawn Wong
The Dallas Cowboys will put their eight-game win streak on the line when they host the improving Baltimore Ravens.
No one saw an 8-1 start coming for the Dallas Cowboys, especially behind the play of two rookie players in Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott, but here they are looking for their first ever nine-game win streak against the Baltimore Ravens. After suffering four consecutive losses, the Ravens have seemingly found their stride coming into Sunday, leading the AFC North and winners of two straight.
The Cowboys come into Sunday’s match-up off a miracle win against the Pittsburgh Stelers last week. Currently sitting in the top spot in the NFC East, two spots ahead of the New York Giants, the Cowboys will have little room for error when they take on the Ravens. They will have to put the drama of having veteran quarterback Tony Romo back in uniform, playing backup to Prescott, in the rearview in order to pick up a victory this week. Dallas will rely heavily on Elliott.
The Ravens have defeated the Cowboys in their previous four meeting, but they will try to do something no one has done in over two months: beat the Cowboys. They come into this match needing more from their one-time Super Bowl MVP quarterback Joe Flacco, who sports a 78.3 quarterback rating good for just 29th in the league. Boasting a top ranked defense that allows just 281.6 yards per game, the Ravens have all the tools to slow down Elliott and make this an interesting game.
Odds:
Point spread: Ravens -7.5
Over/Under: 44.5/45
Prediction: The Cowboys give up 345.7 yards per game; they will have their hands full trying to contain Flacco and the Ravens. They will have to earn everything on the offensive end this Sunday playing such a stout Raven defense. Although the Ravens have won their last two outings, expect the Cowboys to attempt to take advantage of Flacco’s subpar play (nine touchdowns and nine interceptions). The Cowboys should come out victorious in this one, assuming they are able to get over key injuries of Barry Church and cornerback Morris Claiborne in the secondary.
Pick: Ravens 20, Cowboys 28