November 21, 2004|By JAMISON HENSLEY
SCOUTING REPORT
Ravens run offense vs. Cowboys run defense: The Ravens should get a tremendous boost with the expected return of perennial All-Pro left tackle Jonathan Ogden, who had been out with a pulled hamstring. In four games without Ogden, the Ravens averaged 95.7 yards rushing. In five games with him, they averaged 152.4. Running back Jamal Lewis, who has only two 100-yard games this season, could get on track against the Cowboys. Dallas allows 4.7 yards a carry, which is sixth worst in the NFL. Defensive tackle La'Roi Glover is the only player with more than two tackles for a loss.
EDGE: RAVENS
Ravens pass offense vs. Cowboys pass defense: The Cowboys have trouble rushing the passer and rarely bat down passes in the secondary. They have given up at least 212 yards passing the past four games. The secondary is Dallas' soft spot. Terence Newman is in a major sophomore slump and the other cornerback, Lance Frazier, began the season on the Ravens' practice squad. Ravens quarterback Kyle Boller has gotten into a comfort zone with shorter, three- to five-step drops. In his past three games, Boller has averaged 192.7 yards passing and has produced three of the offense's past four touchdowns. Over that same span, Travis Taylor has caught 17 passes and rookie Clarence Moore has pulled in 10.
EDGE: RAVENS
Cowboys run offense vs. Ravens run defense: This won't rekindle memories of previous battles between linebacker Ray Lewis and running back Eddie George. At age 31, George is only a shell of his former power running self, managing 3.4 yards a carry. With rookie Julius Jones (shoulder) out, Dallas has gone away from the running game. Running backs have combined for 43 carries the past two games. The Ravens allowed their second 100-yard rusher of the season last week but still rank sixth in run defense (105.2 yards a game). In their three victories at home, the Ravens have held teams to 89.6 rushing yards a game.
EDGE: RAVENS
Cowboys pass offense vs. Ravens pass defense: The Ravens are expected to be without cornerback Chris McAlister (neck) and could be missing nickel back Deion Sanders (toe). But this patched-up secondary held up against the Jets with Corey Fuller filling in for McAlister and Chad Williams replacing Sanders. In their past four games, the Ravens have given up one touchdown and have picked off six passes. Dallas quarterback Vinny Testaverde has played adequately, averaging 256 yards passing and completing 63.1 percent of his throws. The biggest threat in the Cowboys' passing game has been Jason Witten, who is tied for second among all NFL tight ends with 54 catches.
EDGE: RAVENS
Special teams: Dallas' ReShard Lee, who is averaging 23.7 yards per kickoff return, ran one back 62 yards Monday. The Ravens have had lapses in kickoff coverage, giving up a 93-yard touchdown against Cleveland on Nov. 7 and surrendering a 40-yard return last week against the Jets. Nick Murphy has replaced injured Ravens punter Dave Zastudil (separated shoulder) and will play in his first NFL game. Returner B.J. Sams has cooled off recently, fumbling twice last week. Ravens kicker Matt Stover is 15-for-15 on field-goal tries inside 50 yards.
EDGE: COWBOYS
Intangibles: The Cowboys are falling apart, having lost five of their past six games. They are 1-4 on the road, with the only win coming at Washington. Plus, the Ravens will be the more rested team because Dallas is traveling after a Monday night game. This is the time of year when the Ravens usually begin to hit their stride. They have won their past six November home games.
EDGE: RAVENS
Prediction: Testaverde missed practice time because of illness this past week. Quarterbacks don't come to the Ravens to get well. Now warming up, Drew Henson.
RAVENS, 20-0
GAME FACTS
Matchup
Records: Ravens 6-3, Cowboys 3-6.
Line: Ravens by 8
Vs. spread: Ravens 7-2, Cowboys 3-6.
Series: Ravens lead 1-0
Last meeting: Ravens won, 27-0, on Nov. 19, 2000, at Baltimore
NFL rankings
Ravens offense: 30th (rush 10th, pass 32nd) Ravens defense: 4th (rush 6th, pass 6th)
Cowboys offense: 12th (rush 25th, pass 7th)
Cowboys defense: 28th (rush 25th, pass 24th)
Quick hits
Cowboys are one of four teams with an NFL-worst minus-15 turnover differential.
Ravens' passing offense is ranked last in the NFL, averaging 130.7 yards per game.
Ravens injuries
Out: P Dave Zastudil (shoulder).
Doubtful: TE Todd Heap (ankle); CB Chris McAlister (neck).
Questionable: OT Jonathan Ogden (hamstring); CB Deion Sanders (foot).
Probable: OT Orlando Brown (knee); G Edwin Mulitalo (toe).
Cowboys injuries
Doubtful: RB Julius Jones (shoulder).
Probable: S Keith Davis (hip).
INSIDE SLANT George Kokinis, the Ravens' pro personnel director, sizes up the Cowboys:
Strength of offense
Tight end Jason Witten. He is the hot guy right now and is a good-sized target. The team leader in receptions, Witten runs good routes and has soft hands. He is a complete tight end who is also a solid blocker.
Strength of defense
