Against the Steelers on Sunday, it was laughable at times when the Ravens sent out only two receivers against the best defense in the NFL. It will be interesting to see how the Ravens attempt to handle the Cowboys' pass rush.
It all begins with Ware. His sack total this season puts him in the same class as guys like Reggie White, Bruce Smith, Michael Strahan and Lawrence Taylor. Ware is as big as most defensive ends and just as fast as most outside linebackers.
The Cowboys usually start him on the right side, but he'll be on the left, too. Ware is a distraction. He is the player opposing teams game plan against.
Ratliff is tied with Ellis with seven sacks, but he also has forced the quarterback to move 28 times this season. He is a pocket pusher and requires double teams. Ellis is like Ware. He can bring pressure as an outside linebacker or a defensive end. Ellis and defensive end Marcus Spears are interchangeable.
They are both nightmares.
"They're playing well, and they're starting to get into a roll," Flacco said of the Cowboys. "Our offensive line has been playing great all year. I think last week they did a good job against the Steelers' rush, and this week we expect them to do the same."
Dallas is impressive against the run, as well. The Cowboys are allowing only 93.1 yards a game. Their scheme is predicated on ends Chris Canty and Spears holding up the tackles and letting their outside linebackers make the stops.
It's a tough assignment for the Ravens. Their passing game is built on play action, and when they can't run, they can't pass. Flacco has struggled the past two weeks. Against Pittsburgh, he was sacked twice, intercepted twice and lost one fumble. The Cowboys might not be as big as the Steelers, but they are faster.
Overall, it has been a good year for the Ravens' offensive line. It's a young group that has developed enough to get the team to the brink of the playoffs.
Now, the group has to take the next step.
"We've got our work cut out for us," Ravens center Jason Brown said. "They're very athletic, tough and mobile. It's a challenge, but as an offensive line, we look forward to the challenge."
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