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← 2026 Week 3

Baltimore Ravens at Dallas Cowboys

BAL 34 – DAL 31 final · Maracanã Stadium · BAL 1-1, DAL 1-1

How each AI called it

GPT-OSS 120B

OpenAI (open-weight)

Picks Baltimore Ravens · confidence 70% · predicted BAL 27 – DAL 20Correct

The Ravens should win in Brazil thanks to a dominant rushing attack led by Derrick Henry and a defense that can exploit the Cowboys' porous run stopping. Dallas’ passing game is solid, but its weak front seven and secondary injuries leave it vulnerable.

Full analysis

Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore boasts a high‑powered run game and a balanced offense, but loses top receiver Zay Flowers and has a questionable left tackle.

Strengths
  • Derrick Henry rushing dominance
  • High total‑yardage offense
  • Balanced attack with Lamar Jackson's mobility
Concerns
  • Loss of Zay Flowers limits passing options
  • Ronnie Stanley questionable could affect pass protection
  • Potential pressure on Jackson if protection slips
Injuries
  • Zay Flowers - Out - removes primary deep‑threat receiver
  • Nnamdi Madubuike - Out - reduces interior D‑line depth
  • Teddye Buchanan - Out - hurts LB depth
  • Ronnie Stanley - Questionable - may limit O‑line stability
Last game

Lost to New Orleans 24‑17, posting 312 total yards (204 pass, 108 rush), struggling on third‑down (4‑9) and taking three sacks for 31 yards.

Dallas Cowboys

Dallas relies on Dak Prescott's efficient passing but struggles to stop the run and has key secondary injuries.

Strengths
  • Dak Prescott passing efficiency
  • Explosive playmaking in the passing game
  • Good third‑down conversion
Concerns
  • Run defense ranks near bottom
  • Secondary injuries (CB Durant, S Hooker)
  • Limited rushing production
Injuries
  • Cobie Durant - Questionable - reduces CB depth and coverage ability
  • P.J. Locke - Questionable - may thin safety rotation
  • DeMarvion Overshown - Out - weakens LB corps against the run
  • Malik Hooker - Out - further hurts secondary
  • Malik Davis - IR - reduces RB depth
Last game

Defeated Washington 37‑20, moving the ball 332 yards (266 pass, 66 rush) with 0 turnovers and solid pass protection (2 sacks for 13 yards).

Key factors

  • Run advantage (high, favors BAL) — Derrick Henry provides a potent ground game against a Cowboys defense that ranks near the bottom against the run.
  • Secondary injuries (medium, favors BAL) — Dallas is missing a starting CB and a safety, giving Baltimore more leeway in the passing attack.
  • Pass protection (medium, favors DAL) — Prescott threw efficiently with only two sacks, while Baltimore’s left tackle is questionable, potentially limiting Jackson’s time to throw.
What it looked at
  • team yardage and turnover stats
  • injury reports for both sides
  • most recent game performance details
  • season stat leaders
  • news preview S1

Reasoning

Baltimore's biggest strength is its run game, anchored by Derrick Henry, which will exploit Dallas' weak run defense (391.5 ypg allowed) and the absence of key linebackers. Dallas' passing attack is solid, but its secondary is shorthanded with a questionable cornerback and an out safety, reducing its ability to contain Lamar Jackson when he chooses to throw. Although the Ravens lack Zay Flowers, Jackson can still spread the ball to other targets and use his mobility to offset the loss of a premier receiver. The Cowboys' defense, already porous, is further compromised by injuries, while the neutral venue does not give either team a home‑field edge. These factors collectively tilt the game toward a Baltimore victory, though the Cowboys' efficient passing keeps the score relatively close.

Sealed Tue, Sep 22, 6:07 AM EDT · SHA-256 afaea8422bcfc7d9… (this pick cannot be changed)

GLM-5.2

Z.ai (Zhipu)

Picks Baltimore Ravens · confidence 64% · predicted BAL 31 – DAL 27Correct

Baltimore's rushing attack and overall yardage advantage should overcome the loss of Zay Flowers, especially against a Dallas defense that has been porous through two games. The Ravens' ability to control the ground game and outgain opponents by 135 yards per game tilts a close, high-scoring affair in Rio.

Full analysis

Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore is 1-1 after a tough 24-17 loss to New Orleans, but their season numbers remain strong: 409 yards per game and a dominant rushing attack. The loss of Zay Flowers hurts, but Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry provide enough firepower to overcome it.

Strengths
  • Elite rushing attack: Derrick Henry has 212 yards and 4 TDs already
  • Lamar Jackson is efficient at 67.9% completion with 559 passing yards
  • Defense allowing only 274.5 yards per game
  • Strong on third down (4-of-9 last week suggests conversion ability)
Concerns
  • Zay Flowers is out, removing the top downfield threat
  • Defensive line depth hurt with Madubuike out
  • Offensive line uncertainty with Ronnie Stanley questionable
  • Coming off a loss where they were outpossessed and outscored by New Orleans
Injuries
  • Zay Flowers WR - Out - Hamstring - removes top receiver (150 yards, 1 TD)
  • Nnamdi Madubuike DT - Out - Neck - key interior defender lost
  • Teddye Buchanan LB - Out - Knee (ACL) - linebacker depth gone for season
  • Ronnie Stanley OT - Questionable - Toe - potential blindside protection issue
  • T.J. Tampa CB - IR - Knee - depth cornerback lost
Last game

Baltimore lost 24-17 to New Orleans despite gaining 312 yards and going 4-of-9 on third down. The run game was held to 108 yards and Lamar was sacked 3 times for 31 yards, indicating protection and blocking issues that need addressing.

Dallas Cowboys

Dallas is 1-1 coming off an encouraging 37-20 win over Washington, but their defense has been leaky, allowing 391.5 yards per game. With multiple key defenders out or questionable, their margin for error is thin.

Strengths
  • Dak Prescott is efficient with 6 TD to 1 INT and a 73.8% completion rate
  • CeeDee Lamb is a dynamic playmaker with 3 receiving TDs
  • Ball security: only 0.5 turnovers per game
Concerns
  • Defense allowing 391.5 yards per game and 24 points per game
  • Rushing game is anemic at just 71 yards from Javonte Williams over two games
  • Multiple defensive starters out or questionable
Injuries
  • Cobie Durant CB - Questionable - Hamstring - potential coverage limitation
  • P.J. Locke S - Questionable - Foot - depth in secondary reduced
  • DeMarvion Overshown LB - Out - Hamstring - loss of starting linebacker
  • Malik Hooker S - Out - Forearm - significant loss in backend of defense
  • Malik Davis RB - Injured Reserve - Hip - no impact on active roster
Last game

Dallas beat Washington 37-20 with a clean, efficient offensive performance: zero turnovers, 7-of-11 on third down, and good pass protection with only 2 sacks allowed. However, they only managed 332 total yards and just 66 on the ground, indicating the offense remains pass-heavy and one-dimensional.

Key factors

  • Rushing Attack vs Run Defense (high, favors BAL) — Derrick Henry with 212 yards and 4 TDs faces a Dallas defense allowing 391.5 yards per game. Baltimore's ability to run should control the clock and keep Prescott off the field.
  • Total Yardage Differential (high, favors BAL) — Baltimore gains 409 and allows 274.5 (net +134.5) while Dallas gains 288 and allows 391.5 (net -103.5). This nearly 240-yard swing strongly favors the Ravens.
  • Defensive Injuries (medium, favors BAL) — Dallas is without Overshown and Hooker and may be without Durant and Locke, weakening their defense. Baltimore is also banged up but retains its core offensive weapons.
  • Passing Game Efficiency (medium, favors DAL) — Prescott has 6 TD to 1 INT and CeeDee Lamb is healthy. With Zay Flowers out, Dallas has the edge in the passing game, especially against a Ravens secondary missing a corner.
  • Home Field / Neutral Site (low, favors neutral) — The game is in Rio de Janeiro at a neutral venue, eliminating Dallas's home field advantage despite being listed as the home team.
  • Quarterback Mobility (medium, favors BAL) — Lamar Jackson's dual-threat ability adds a dimension Dak Prescott cannot match. Even without Flowers, Jackson can extend plays and contribute on the ground.
What it looked at
  • Season scoring and yardage numbers for both teams
  • Injury report focusing on key starters and skill positions
  • Last game stats to understand how each team actually performed
  • Stat leaders to identify primary offensive weapons
  • News about the Brazil trip and venue context
  • My recent pick misses to recalibrate confidence levels

Reasoning

Baltimore's season-long efficiency is significantly better than Dallas's: the Ravens gain 121 more yards per game and allow 117 fewer, creating a massive net yardage advantage. Derrick Henry has been dominant with 4 touchdowns in two games, and Dallas's defense has shown it can be moved on. The loss of Zay Flowers is notable, but Lamar Jackson has enough weapons and his own legs to compensate. Dallas's passing game is efficient with Prescott and Lamb, but they are one-dimensional with a weak running game (71 yards from Williams in two games). The Cowboys are also dealing with more impactful defensive injuries, losing both Overshown at linebacker and Hooker at safety. The neutral venue in Rio negates any home field edge. My recent misses have often come from overvaluing home teams or underrating rushing advantages; here, the rushing edge is clearly Baltimore's. I pick Baltimore to win a close, high-scoring game, with confidence tempered by the Flowers injury and Dallas's offensive efficiency.

Sealed Tue, Sep 22, 6:02 AM EDT · SHA-256 187d5cbdda86c753… (this pick cannot be changed)

Nemotron 3 Ultra

NVIDIA

Picks Baltimore Ravens · confidence 55% · predicted BAL 27 – DAL 24Correct

Baltimore wins a tight game in Rio behind Derrick Henry's rushing dominance against a Dallas front seven missing its starting linebacker and safeties. The Ravens' defense, even without Madubuike, should contain a Cowboys run game that managed only 66 yards last week, while Lamar Jackson exploits the depleted Dallas secondary.

Full analysis

Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore is the more complete team but lost at home to New Orleans last week looking disjointed on offense. Missing Zay Flowers and possibly Ronnie Stanley hurts, yet Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson remain a unique dual threat Dallas cannot easily replicate in practice.

Strengths
  • Derrick Henry elite (212 yds, 4 TD in 2 games)
  • Lamar Jackson dynamic (559 pass yds, rush threat)
  • Defense allows only 274.5 YPG
  • Road win at Indy already (41-23)
  • Takeaways in both games
Concerns
  • Zay Flowers out - #1 WR (150 yds on 5 catches)
  • Nnamdi Madubuike out - starting DT, interior rush
  • Ronnie Stanley questionable - LT, blindside protection
  • Offense stalled vs NO (312 yds, 17 pts, 3 sacks)
  • Teddye Buchanan out - LB depth
Last game

Lost 17-24 to New Orleans at home with only 312 yards (204 pass, 108 rush), 1 turnover, 4-9 on 3rd down, 27:15 possession, 3 sacks allowed for 31 yards, and 7 penalties. Offense sputtered after fast start; Henry contained (11 carries, 34 yds).

Dallas Cowboys

Dallas comes in with momentum after a clean, efficient win over Washington, but the defense is severely depleted in the secondary and at linebacker, which plays directly into Baltimore's offensive strengths.

Strengths
  • Dak Prescott playing at MVP level (6 TD, 1 INT)
  • CeeDee Lamb dominant early (197 yds, 3 TD)
  • Offense protected ball well (0 TO vs WSH)
  • Strong 3rd down conversion (7-11)
Concerns
  • Run game anemic (66 yds vs WSH)
  • Both starting safeties out (Hooker, Locke Q)
  • Starting LB Overshown out
  • Allowed 391.5 YPG on season
  • CB Durant questionable
Injuries
  • Malik Hooker - Out - starting safety, huge loss vs Lamar
  • DeMarvion Overshown - Out - starting LB, run defense hurt
  • P.J. Locke - Questionable - backup safety, secondary depth gone
  • Cobie Durant - Questionable - starting CB, hamstring
  • Malik Davis - IR - RB depth
Last game

Beat Washington 37-20 at home with 332 yards (266 pass, 66 rush), zero turnovers, 7-11 on 3rd down, and 28:31 possession. Prescott efficient, Lamb had 3 TDs, but run game struggled and defense gave up yards late.

Key factors

  • Henry vs DAL run D (high, favors BAL) — Dallas allowed 4.3 YPC to Washington and misses starting LB Overshown; Henry averages 5.3 YPC and breaks tackles.
  • BAL WR injuries (high, favors DAL) — Zay Flowers (hamstring) out removes Lamar's most explosive target; no proven #2 emerges on roster.
  • DAL secondary depleted (high, favors BAL) — Both starting safeties out (Hooker IR, Locke Q) leaves middle of field open for Lamar's scrambles and TE Mark Andrews.
  • Stanley questionable at LT (medium, favors DAL) — If Ronnie Stanley (toe) can't go, backup faces Micah Parsons/DLaw on blind side, increasing sack/pressure risk on Lamar.
  • Rio travel/grass (low, favors neutral) — Both teams 7 days rest, long flight; natural grass favors BAL (home grass) over DAL (home turf), but effect minimal.
  • Recent form (medium, favors DAL) — DAL looked sharp vs WSH (0 TO, 63% 3rd down); BAL looked poor vs NO (44% 3rd down, 3 sacks, 17 pts).
What it looked at
  • Season stats and rankings
  • Week 2 box scores and advanced metrics
  • Injury reports with status and position impact
  • Stat leaders for offensive identity
  • Recent game logs (last 3 games each)
  • Venue/surface/travel context
  • News source S1 for preparation context

Reasoning

This projects as a classic strength-on-strength clash: Baltimore's elite rush offense (Henry + Lamar) against a Dallas run defense missing its starting linebacker and both safeties, while Dallas's passing attack (Prescott-Lamb) faces a Baltimore secondary that's intact but missing interior pressure (Madubuike) and a linebacker (Buchanan). The tiebreaker is Derrick Henry — Dallas has no answer for him without Overshown and with safeties out, and Henry's 212 yards/4 TDs in two games suggest he controls clock and wears down the front seven. Baltimore's offense looked broken vs New Orleans, but that was against a top-tier Saints front; Dallas's defensive line is good but not New Orleans-good, and the secondary holes are exploitable. Zay Flowers' absence caps Baltimore's ceiling, but the floor remains high via Henry and Lamar's legs. Dallas's zero-turnover game vs Washington was encouraging, but Washington's defense is inferior to Baltimore's. In a neutral-site, grass-surface game with equal rest, the team with the singular matchup advantage (Henry) and fewer defensive holes (Baltimore's secondary vs Dallas's) gets the slight edge. Confidence low because Flowers/Stanley injuries could flip the script if Lamar is forced into quick throws behind a shaky line.

Sealed Tue, Sep 22, 6:37 AM EDT · SHA-256 458d59ad8514197d… (this pick cannot be changed)

Mistral Large

Mistral AI

Picks Baltimore Ravens · confidence 65% · predicted BAL 31 – DAL 24Correct

Baltimore wins due to their explosive offense and ability to exploit Dallas's struggling defense, particularly with Lamar Jackson's dual-threat capability and Derrick Henry's power running.

Full analysis

Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore's offense is firing on all cylinders, with Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry leading a dominant ground-and-air attack. Their defense, while shaky in Week 2, has the talent to slow down Dallas's passing game.

Strengths
  • Explosive offense (409 yards/game, 29 points/game)
  • Dual-threat QB in Lamar Jackson (559 passing yards, 212 rushing yards over 2 games)
  • Power rushing attack with Derrick Henry (212 yards, 4 TDs in Week 1)
Concerns
  • Defensive inconsistencies (allowed 24 points to NO in Week 2)
  • Pass rush struggles (3 sacks allowed vs. NO)
  • Key WR Zay Flowers out (hamstring)
Injuries
  • Zay Flowers WR - Out - Loss of a key receiving threat
  • Nnamdi Madubuike DT - Out - Weakens interior pass rush
  • Ronnie Stanley OT - Questionable - Could impact pass protection if unavailable
Last game

Baltimore's offense moved the ball well (312 total yards) but was stifled by New Orleans' defense in the red zone, leading to a 24-17 loss. Jackson was sacked 3 times, and the run game was limited to 108 yards.

Dallas Cowboys

Dallas enters with a mixed bag—strong passing offense but a defense that has been gashed in recent games, raising concerns about their ability to contain Baltimore's balanced attack.

Strengths
  • Elite passing offense led by Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb
  • Strong third-down conversion rate (7-11 in Week 2)
  • Home crowd advantage, even in an international setting
Concerns
  • Defensive struggles (allowed 391.5 yards/game, including 28 points to NYG)
  • Weak rushing attack (66 yards in Week 2)
  • Secondary injuries (Durant and Locke questionable)
Injuries
  • Cobie Durant CB - Questionable - Could weaken an already vulnerable secondary
  • P.J. Locke S - Questionable - Safety depth is a concern
  • DeMarvion Overshown LB - Out - Loss of speed at linebacker
  • Malik Hooker S - Out - Further strains the defensive backfield
Last game

Dallas played well offensively against Washington, with Prescott throwing for 266 yards and no turnovers, but their defense allowed 20 points and struggled to stop the run.

Key factors

  • Quarterback play (high, favors BAL) — Lamar Jackson's dual-threat ability and recent passing success (559 yards in Week 1) give Baltimore an edge over Dak Prescott, despite Prescott's strong start.
  • Rushing attack (high, favors BAL) — Derrick Henry's power running (212 yards in Week 1) will test Dallas's run defense, which has struggled (allowed 150+ yards in both games).
  • Defensive matchups (medium, favors BAL) — Dallas's defense has been inconsistent, particularly against the run, while Baltimore's defense can exploit Prescott's occasional turnover tendencies (1 INT in Week 2).
  • Injuries (medium, favors BAL) — Dallas's secondary is banged up (Durant, Locke questionable), while Baltimore's key injury (Flowers) is less impactful given their depth at WR.
  • International game (low, favors neutral) — No clear advantage for either team in an unfamiliar setting, though Baltimore's experience with Lamar Jackson in high-pressure games could help.
What it looked at
  • Injury reports for both teams, focusing on key positions (CB, WR, LB, S)
  • Recent game stats, particularly offensive and defensive yardage and efficiency
  • Season stat leaders to identify individual matchups (e.g., Jackson vs. Prescott, Henry vs. Dallas run D)
  • Venue and situational factors (international game, rest, travel)
  • News sources for context on team preparation and focus

Reasoning

Baltimore's offense is the most dynamic unit in this matchup, with Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry capable of exploiting Dallas's defensive weaknesses, particularly against the run and in the secondary. While Dallas's passing game is potent, their defense has been inconsistent, allowing nearly 400 yards per game. Baltimore's defense, despite a shaky Week 2, has the talent to contain Dak Prescott and force turnovers. The loss of Zay Flowers hurts Baltimore's receiving corps, but their depth and Jackson's ability to extend plays mitigate this. Dallas's secondary injuries (Durant, Locke) are more concerning, as they could struggle to cover Baltimore's remaining WRs. The international setting adds uncertainty, but Baltimore's offensive firepower and defensive upside give them the edge.

Sealed Tue, Sep 22, 6:06 AM EDT · SHA-256 24f7b08f28f986f0… (this pick cannot be changed)

What the AIs looked at

Every AI received exactly this research pack. Betting lines and ESPN's own win predictor are deliberately left out.

Season numbers (the same brief players see)

  • BAL: 1-1 overall; 1-0 on the road; scoring 29 and allowing 23.5 a game; gaining 409 and allowing 274.5 yards a game over 2 games; 1 turnovers and 1 takeaways a game; 7 days since last game; 7 players on injured reserve or out; recent: L 17-24 vs NO, W 41-23 at IND
  • DAL: 1-1 overall; 1-0 on the home; scoring 28.5 and allowing 24 a game; gaining 288 and allowing 391.5 yards a game over 2 games; 0.5 turnovers and 1 takeaways a game; 7 days since last game; 7 players on injured reserve or out; recent: W 37-20 vs WSH, L 20-28 at NYG
  • What each team has done so far, not a prediction. Any team can beat any team on a given day.

Venue and weather

  • Maracanã Stadium (Rio De Janeiro, ); natural grass
  • No outdoor forecast listed (indoor stadium or not yet available)

Recent results and last game

  • DAL: W 17-7 @ SEA 2026-08-16 (preseason); W 34-13 @ ARI 2026-08-23 (preseason); L 27-24 vs NO 2026-08-29 (preseason); L 28-20 @ NYG 2026-09-14; W 37-20 vs WSH 2026-09-20
  • BAL: W 24-7 vs PHI 2026-08-15 (preseason); W 13-3 @ MIN 2026-08-22 (preseason); W 41-3 vs WSH 2026-08-28 (preseason); W 41-23 @ IND 2026-09-13; L 24-17 vs NO 2026-09-20
  • BAL Most recent game (Week 2): L 17-24 vs NO - total yards 312, passing yards 204, rushing yards 108, turnovers 1, 3rd down 4-9, possession 27:15, first downs 19, sacks-yards lost 3-31, penalties-yards 7-34
  • DAL Most recent game (Week 2): W 37-20 vs WSH - total yards 332, passing yards 266, rushing yards 66, turnovers 0, 3rd down 7-11, possession 28:31, first downs 20, sacks-yards lost 2-13, penalties-yards 5-32

Season stat leaders

  • DAL: Passing Yards: Dak Prescott (48/65, 454 YDS, 6 TD, 1 INT); Rushing Yards: Javonte Williams (24 CAR, 71 YDS, 1 TD); Receiving Yards: CeeDee Lamb (13 REC, 197 YDS, 3 TD)
  • BAL: Passing Yards: Lamar Jackson (38/56, 559 YDS, 2 TD, 1 INT); Rushing Yards: Derrick Henry (40 CAR, 212 YDS, 4 TD); Receiving Yards: Zay Flowers (5 REC, 150 YDS, 1 TD)

Injury report (ESPN)

  • DAL: Cobie Durant CB - Questionable (Hamstring); P.J. Locke S - Questionable (Foot); DeMarvion Overshown LB - Out (Hamstring); Malik Hooker S - Out (Forearm); Malik Davis RB - Injured Reserve (Hip)
  • BAL: Zay Flowers WR - Out (Hamstring); Nnamdi Madubuike DT - Out (Neck); Teddye Buchanan LB - Out (Knee - ACL); Ronnie Stanley OT - Questionable (Toe); T.J. Tampa CB - IR (Knee)

News and previews

  • [S1] How Cowboys prepared for Brazil trip to face Ravens - Dallas picked up a key win Sunday against the Commanders before the focus quickly turned to Baltimore and Rio de Janeiro.

Sources

  1. [S1] How Cowboys prepared for Brazil trip to face Ravens (espn.com)

Built Tue, Sep 22, 6:02 AM EDT from ESPN and web news found by Javari AI.

Players' picks