Ravens Defense Could Not Stop Prescott's Offense
ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys are entering some special territory with each passing win.
Not getting caught up it may become their greatest challenge.
Dak Prescott threw three touchdowns passes and the Cowboys now own the longest winning streak in franchise history after upending the Baltimore Ravens 27-17 on Sunday afternoon at AT&T Stadium.
The Cowboys have won nine in a row, and are 9-1 overall for the fourth time ever and first time since 2007. Dallas owns the best record in the NFL.
"We're not going to spend a lot of time on that," Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said.
But the significance of where they currently stand isn't lost on the Cowboys, especially their quarterback.
"It means we've got a great team who believes in ourselves," Prescott said. "We're not going to flinch; we're not going to blink."
The record-setting start has come with Prescott at quarterback. Despite the return of longtime starter Tony Romo to the active roster, the Cowboys offense continues to click under the direction of the rookie fourth-round pick from Mississippi State.
Prescott completed 27 of 36 passes for 301 yards in another of a long line of efficient performances. Two touchdown passes to Dez Bryant and another to Cole Beasley did in the Ravens.
Bryant played the day after attending his father's funeral in Lufkin, Texas. His father, McArthur "Mac" Hatton, died Nov. 12, the day before the Cowboys played at Pittsburgh.
Bryant finished with six catches for 80 yards against the Ravens.
"Been a challenging week for him and he's done a great job maintaining his focus come Sunday afternoon," Garrett said. "He did that last week and he did it again today."
The other prized rookie in Dallas' offensive backfield, Ezekiel Elliott, added to his growing collection of team records. The NFL rushing leader broke the Cowboys' rookie rushing record of 1,007 yards set by Tony Dorsett in 1977.
Elliott ran for 97 yards on 25 carries against the NFL's top rushing defense, pushing his season total to 1,102 yards.
"It means a lot," said Elliott, who was congratulated on the sidelines by Dorsett.
Baltimore (5-5) came in leading the AFC North, but lost its fifth non-division road game in a row. The Ravens were also beaten by Dallas for the first time in five all-time meetings.
Baltimore had the ball for only 24:21 and committed 12 penalties for 136 yards.
"They did the things they needed to do to win the game," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "They didn't make the mistakes we did and they made the plays down the stretch."
Joe Flacco threw for 269 yards and ended a drought of 16 straight quarters on the road without a touchdown pass with a 5-yard scoring strike to Steve Smith Sr. in the fourth.
The Ravens were down only 24-17 with more than eight minutes left, but Dallas countered with a field-goal drive that took 6 1/2 minutes off the clock and iced the win.
Asked if hanging close with the Cowboys could be considered a moral victory, Flacco didn't seem impressed with the NFL leaders.
"We should beat this team," Flacco said. "We should beat this team and I'm not kidding."
Smith caught eight passes for 99 yards and became the 14th player in NFL history to reach 1,000 receptions. He needed three catches coming in.
Prescott picked apart Baltimore's secondary with two long drives in the second half to take a 24-10 lead. The Cowboys went 92 and 88 yards on successive possessions, both ending with scoring passes to Bryant.
Bryant's touchdown catches, covering 4 and 13 yards, gave him five for the season.
The Ravens took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter by gashing Dallas on the ground. The 90-yard drive needed just six plays, with Terrance West going the final 18 yards.
Dallas tied the game in the second period on Prescott's 3-yard touchdown pass to Beasley. A 41-yard bomb from Prescott to Bryce Butler down the sideline set up first-and-goal.
The teams traded field goals late in the second quarter to leave it 10-10 at halftime.
The Cowboys shoot for their 10th straight win Thanksgiving afternoon against NFC East rival Washington.
Baltimore returns home to face division foe Cincinnati next week. Pittsburgh (5-5) won Sunday to match the Ravens atop the AFC North.
"Our eyes go to next week against Cincinnati at home, six-game season, and we need to take care of our business," Harbaugh said.