Ravens Insider: Instant analysis from Ravens’ 31-13 win over Cowboys in 2nd preseason game

ExtremeRavens · Saturday at 11:52 PM

Here’s what The Baltimore Sun sports staff had to say immediately after the Ravens’ 31-13 preseason win over the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday night at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Brian Wacker, reporter: There’s little question that Ravens running back Rasheen Ali is a distant fourth in the pecking order of Baltimore’s backfield, but given Keaton Mitchell’s injury history, wouldn’t it be wise to keep him on the 53-man roster? Not only did he run well Saturday night, but he had a solid performance as a returner on special teams.

Likewise, wide receiver Devontez Walker has continued to make strides and unsurprisingly Cooper Rush found him early and often after coach John Harbaugh made it clear that the passing game had to be better and that Rush would get more than four opportunities to sling it.

More worrisome is Adisa Isaac, who left with an injury in the second quarter and did not appear to return. For a second-year player with an injury history already battling for a fifth outside linebacker spot, the timing was unfortunate.

Mike Preston, columnist: Preseason games are basically a way for the NFL to soak up more money from fans. With that said, there were a couple of things to come out of Saturday night’s game.

Backup quarterback Cooper Rush continues to get better and showed against his former team that he can make plays both in and outside the pocket. He doesn’t have great arm strength, but he’s showing more knowledge of the offense.

The offensive line, with three starters in the game in guards Daniel Faalele and Andrew Vorhees and right tackle Roger Rosengarten, played well with a good mixture of the run and play-action passing game, the staple of this offense.

The Ravens have to find a way to keep wide receiver Devontez Walker on the roster in some capacity, since it’s unlikely that they’ll be able to hide him on the practice squad. The former North Carolina star can play, and there is a lot of video out there for other coaches to watch. Rookie fullback Lucas Scott, from Army, is a bruiser and has excellent technique.

It was hard to evaluate the Ravens’ defense because the Cowboys were so inept, especially quarterback Joe Milton III. He appeared to lack timing with his receivers, and the Ravens blew up the Cowboys’ offense for the entire first half. Weak-side linebacker Trent Simpson played well early, taking on lead blockers and holding up in coverage, but he didn’t sustain it in the second quarter. Backup middle linebacker Teddye Buchanan had a solid game, but the rookie still has problems in coverage. Safety Reuben Lowery, an undrafted rookie, continues to make plays and is very good at making tackles in space in the open field.

As for special teams, kicker Tyler Loop had a strong game in his home state and even kicked a 51-yarder in the first half. For Loop, a sixth-round draft pick out of Arizona, it now shifts to being accurate in a hostile environment, not on basically a neutral field in Dallas or at home at M&T Bank Stadium.

Josh Tolentino, columnist: Linebacker Jay Higgins IV appears to be on the fast track to become the Ravens’ next undrafted gem. The rookie out of Iowa registered his second turnover in as many preseason games, generating a more-than-satisfactory reaction from defensive coordinator Zach Orr. After Higgins’ interception against the Colts last week, he strip-sacked Cowboys backup quarterback Will Grier to gift Baltimore possession in the fourth quarter. As the visitor’s bench erupted, Orr was shown on the broadcast streaking down the sideline in approval of Higgins’ latest highlight.

Higgins didn’t test well at the NFL scouting combine, where he ran a 4.82-second 40-yard dash, but he continues to flash across the field. Higgins, who sits on the depth chart behind Roquan Smith, Trenton Simpson and fellow rookie linebacker Teddye Buchanan, entered training camp as a longshot to make the roster, but he’s capitalized on his opportunities by forcing key turnovers. The Ravens boast one of the most talented rosters in the NFL, which undoubtedly will force the front office into tough decisions as roster cutdown day (Aug. 26) approaches. Higgins continues to add to that puzzle in a positive way.

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Andrew Booth (25) intercepts a pass and returns it for a touchdown as Baltimore Ravens wide receiver LaJohntay Wester (83) gives chase in the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard Rodriguez)

1 of 16

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Andrew Booth (25) intercepts a pass and returns it for a touchdown as Baltimore Ravens wide receiver LaJohntay Wester (83) gives chase in the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard Rodriguez)

Expand

Sam Cohn, reporter: This was a win for the Ravens’ defense. Their depth made life tough for Dallas’ second- and third-stringers. By halftime, the Cowboys had only managed two first downs and 31 net yards — 11 through the air, 20 on the ground. They still finished with fewer than half of Baltimore’s total yardage. It took a befuddling pick-six from Cooper Rush for Dallas to get in the end zone.

Baltimore’s collection of defenders fighting for roster spots had Zach Orr smiling ear to ear all night. Reuben Lowery picked off Joe Milton III. Keyon Martin and Malik Hamm each sacked Milton. And Jay Higgins IV logged his second takeaway in as many preseason game appearances, this one a forced fumble in the fourth quarter.

Baltimore’s young defenders used this second preseason game to build on what has been an impressive summer.

C.J. Doon, editor: It was against backup quarterback Joe Milton III and the Cowboys’ reserves, but the Ravens’ defense certainly played like it was the regular season.

Undrafted rookie Keyon Martin made the most of his start by sacking Milton for a safety on a third-down blitz from coordinator Zach Orr. Rookie linebacker Teddye Buchanan flashed his speed and instincts. First-round pick Malaki Starks made an aggressive play to break up a pass. Training camp darling Reuben Lowery made an end zone interception to take the ball right back after a sloppy Ravens turnover. Malik Hamm (remember him?) got a sack. Undrafted rookie linebacker Jay Higgins IV made another big play with a strip-sack.

The Cowboys didn’t record a first down until midway through the second quarter and had just 32 total yards at halftime. As far as preseason games are concerned, it was a dominant performance.

On offense, Cooper Rush bounced back from an unfortunate pick-six to at least look serviceable (his interception before halftime was running back Rasheen Ali’s fault). Devontez Walker showed that he might be a factor in the Ravens’ crowded receivers room with six catches for 61 yards in the first half. Rookie kicker Tyler Loop (4-for-4) looks ready for prime-time.

On the injury front, seeing outside linebacker Adisa Isaac go down is disappointing for a player who needs the reps after losing nearly his entire rookie season. He wasn’t expected to be a major factor in the pass rush, but the former third-round draft pick is running out of chances to prove that he belongs on the roster.

Bennett Conlin, editor: In a 2022 preseason game against the Cardinals, Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely caught eight passes for 100 yards and a touchdown on eight targets. It felt like every passing play would feature Likely, who is on the verge of becoming an NFL star at tight end and could be the franchise’s heir apparent to soon-to-be free agent Mark Andrews.

Could Devontez Walker be ready for a similar breakout in the coming years? The second-year wide receiver out of North Carolina caught six passes for 61 yards on eight targets, as backup quarterback Cooper Rush couldn’t stop looking his way. It was oddly reminiscent of the 2022 game, as Likely looked like he didn’t belong on the field with reserves. Does Walker? The Ravens are loaded at wide receiver, but Walker is destined for NFL playing time in the near future if he keeps performing like he has throughout this preseason.

As for Rush and third-stringer Devin Leary, they looked iffy again. Leary doesn’t belong on the 53-man roster, and Rush needs to take a step forward for the Ravens to feel like he can reliably lead them to wins if Lamar Jackson goes down.

Have a news tip? Contact sports editor C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon.

View the full article

Sign In

Ravens Insider: Instant analysis from Ravens’ 31-13 win over Cowboys in 2nd preseason game

Recommended Posts

ExtremeRavens

Join the conversation

Browse

Activity