Division Leaders Face Off: NFC East's Cowboys Vs AFC North's Ravens
The Dallas Cowboys survived a big test last week and put any potential quarterback controversy to rest with Tony Romo making a statement at the beginning of the week - setting the team up for a strong stretch run. The Cowboys will test themselves against another division leader when they host the AFC North's Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.
Rookie quarterback Dak Prescott put together another strong effort in the 35-30 triumph over Pittsburgh last week, and Romo is expected to be his backup on Sunday. "I'm not going to allow this situation to negatively affect Dak or this football team by becoming a constant distraction," Romo said in a prepared statement as he spoke to reporters on Tuesday for the first time since suffering a compression fracture in his back during the preseason. "I think Dak knows that I have his back. And I think I know that he has mine. Ultimately, it's about the team. It's what we've preached our entire lives." The Ravens got an extra few days to prepare for Prescott and Dallas after running through hapless Cleveland last Thursday. Baltimore has yet to permit a team to reach 30 points and owns the league's top-ranked defense with an average of 281.6 yards allowed.
ABOUT THE RAVENS (5-4): Baltimore's top-ranked run defense will take aim at rookie Ezekiel Elliott and Dallas' offensive line after holding the Steelers (36 yards on 18 carries) and Browns (33 on 13) to 2.2 yards per carry. Quarterback Joe Flacco is taking more chances down the field under new offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg and averaged 7.56 yards per attempt in the last two games while throwing four touchdown passes. Receiver Breshad Perriman helped in the deep passing game by recording 64 yards on three catches, including a 27-yard TD, against Cleveland.
ABOUT THE COWBOYS (8-1): Elliott leads the NFL with 1,005 rushing yards and piled up 114 and two TDs on the ground while adding 95 receiving yards and another score in last week's win. The Ohio State product already went up against three of the top 11 run defenses in the league (Green Bay, New York Giants and Chicago) and totaled 348 rushing yards in those contests. Prescott is playing mistake-free football with 14 TD passes and two interceptions but is not being overly conservative while averaging 8.35 yards per attempt.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Cowboys TE Geoff Swaim suffered a torn pectoral tendon last week and will undergo surgery.
2. Ravens G Alex Lewis (high-ankle sprain) is expected to miss the next six weeks.
3. Baltimore has won its last five games against teams starting rookie quarterbacks.
PREDICTION: Cowboys 24, Ravens 17
