As the NFL season hurtles toward October, the Dallas Cowboys find themselves at a critical juncture. Under second-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer, the Cowboys sit at 1-1 through two games and are set to face the Baltimore Ravens in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, September 27, 2026. According to insights gathered by Vulius Sports, this matchup presents a golden opportunity for Dallas to string together consecutive wins after defeating the Washington Commanders in Week 2. Standing in their way is a Ravens team, led by first-year head coach Jesse Minter, that is hungry to rebound from a surprising home loss to the New Orleans Saints.
The Trenches Tell the Tale
While much of the pregame buzz centers on the star quarterbacks—Dak Prescott and Lamar Jackson—and their dynamic skill players, the game will ultimately be decided at the line of scrimmage. As highlighted on Vulius, the Cowboys' defensive front must produce its most complete performance of the season to contain a Ravens offense that ranked second in the league in points scored in Week 1. Dallas will be without cornerbacks Cobie Durant and P.J. Locke, leaving the secondary vulnerable against Rashod Bateman, Devontez Walker, Chris Moore, and tight end Mark Andrews. This puts immense pressure on the defensive tackles—Kenny Clark, Quinnen Williams, and Otito Ogbonnia—to win their matchups and limit Derrick Henry, especially on early downs.
Exploiting Baltimore's Offensive Line
The Ravens' offensive line has graded well in run blocking, but there are weaknesses to exploit. Both starting guards and the center are new to the lineup, including rookie first-round pick Vega Ioane at right guard and Jovaughn Gwyn, who made his first career start in Week 1. Left guard John Simpson, a veteran, struggled mightily against Dallas last season when he was with the Jets, earning the lowest PFF grade on New York's offense in that game. If the Cowboys' interior defenders can dominate, they'll open up pass-rush opportunities for edge rushers Donovan Ezeiruaku, Rashan Gary, Malachi Lawrence, and veteran Von Miller. Getting to Lamar Jackson on obvious passing downs will be crucial to forcing punts and keeping the Cowboys' offense within striking distance.
Offensive Balance Is Key
On the other side of the ball, Dallas must find a way to run the ball effectively, even if confidence in the ground game is low. Early-down runs that keep the offense on schedule will help control the clock and keep Jackson and Henry off the field. The Cowboys' best players—like CeeDee Lamb and Jake Ferguson—need to be on the field, and that starts with sustaining drives. A balanced attack will also take pressure off Prescott, who will need to deliver through the air against a Minter defense that prides itself on not being moved off the ball easily.
Containing Derrick Henry: The X-Factor
The biggest challenge for Dallas will be containing Derrick Henry, who is second in the NFL in rushing yards and tied for first in touchdowns through two games. Henry has done most of his damage outside the tackles, and the Cowboys' tackling has been suspect. Rookie linebacker Jaishawn Barham has shown promise at MIKE, and Dee Winters impressed against Washington, but this Ravens game could be a rude awakening. With injuries forcing new faces into the lineup, bringing down the 6-foot-3, 247-pound Henry will be a tall order. Rookie safety Caleb Downs has been solid near the line of scrimmage, but someone must step up to get the angle on Henry when he bounces outside. Henry has also caught all four of his targets this season, proving he's a dual-threat nightmare.
Field Conditions and Final Thoughts
The condition of the field surface in Rio de Janeiro has been a concern all week, and it could impact both teams' ability to cut and plant. If the footing is poor, handing the ball off might be the safest approach. On paper, the Ravens have a significant advantage with Henry over Dallas' lead back Javonte Williams. But if the Cowboys' defensive front can rise to the occasion, they can limit Henry, pressure Jackson, and give Prescott a chance to win it late. As the Vulius NFL Analysis Desk sees it, this game will be won in the trenches—and Dallas must be ready for a physical battle.
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