The Dallas Cowboys have a significant challenge ahead. Here comes Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry.

Things are looking desperate for them.

As one of the prime matchups in Week 3 of the NFL season (ignoring the records for now), this scenario is likely the last thing a struggling defense needs. The Cowboys’ defense was overwhelmed last week by the New Orleans Saints, allowing six touchdowns and 190 rushing yards. Now they face the dynamic duo powering the NFL’s top offense, the Baltimore Ravens.

Jackson is considered the most dangerous quarterback in the NFL when it comes to running, and Henry, who joined the Ravens as a free agent in the offseason, is still known for his powerful running style. Baltimore is also looking to avoid starting the season 0-3 for the first time since 2015.

Can the Cowboys handle this challenge?

“We need to respond, stop the run, and show everyone that we can do it,” said Micah Parsons, the Cowboys’ edge linebacker. “This is definitely a game to prove ourselves after facing such tough opponents back-to-back.”

However, such confidence may not hold true until proven otherwise. The Cowboys attempted to improve a defense that was embarrassed in last year’s playoffs against the Green Bay Packers by bringing back Mike Zimmer to revitalize the unit, reminiscent of the successful defense he coordinated two decades ago. After a strong performance against a depleted Cleveland Browns team (six sacks, two turnovers), the Cowboys’ defense regressed in Week 2 at home.

Things have been grim at JerryWorld lately. The Cowboys faced back-to-back blowout home losses, including a 44-19 defeat to the Saints that echoed last January’s 48-32 playoff loss to the Packers. They have allowed a staggering 92 points at home, falling just short of the franchise’s all-time high for points given up in consecutive games.

Last weekend, the Saints dominated the Cowboys in the trenches, leading to harsh criticism of the defensive line and earning a nickname for their unit as “The Red Sea” defense. Both defensive tackle Jordan Phillips and nose tackle Mazi Smith faced significant backlash, with no one escaping blame—not even Parsons or DeMarcus Lawrence, let alone Zimmer, who faced inquiries about his substitution strategies (notably, promising linebacker DeMarvion Overshown played just 18 snaps).

Smith left practice on Wednesday due to a back injury but is expected to play on Sunday, which could be seen as a mixed blessing since the first-round pick from 2023 has yet to register a tackle or sack this season. Phillips, meanwhile, went on injured reserve with a wrist injury, which led to the Cowboys signing Carlos Watkins from the Washington practice squad, signaling the urgency of the situation.

The Ravens have been increasing Henry’s usage, as he had 18 carries for 84 yards against the Raiders last week after Lamar Jackson rushed for an impressive 122 yards in their season opener against the Chiefs. This diversity in their offense adds to the difficulties the Cowboys face, as Baltimore utilizes various weapons to threaten their rivals.

“This is definitely a challenge, but that’s the NFL for you,” Eric Kendricks, who led Dallas with eight tackles last week against the Saints, told reporters.

Kendricks was signed as a free agent in the offseason to join Zimmer, his former coach with the Vikings.

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“Every week brings its own challenges,” he added. “We have to play our game and perform our duties accordingly.”

The Cowboys will face tests that will determine if their defense can withstand the pressure posed by championship contenders. The Ravens, who led the league in rushing last season, are just the first of three opponents in the next five weeks who fielded top-five rushing attacks in 2023. Following their clash with the Ravens, Dallas will also have a tough time with the Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers in Weeks 6 and 8, as well as a Steelers offense that has placed an emphasis on running under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.

Put simply, if the Cowboys cannot stop the run, they could be facing a tough and repeatable strategy that will prolong their struggles.

Drake London’s inappropriate celebration

Atlanta Falcons receiver Drake London made headlines for his foolish celebration after scoring a 7-yard touchdown with 34 seconds remaining on Monday night in Philadelphia. He mimicked firing a machine gun directed at the crowd, resulting in a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, which pushed Younghoe Koo to attempt a longer-than-usual 48-yard extra point. This extra point ultimately decided the game for a 22-21 Falcons win.

London justified his actions by claiming it to be a “trend” in football.

Really? Such antics are certainly not trending in the NFL. The league has banned similar celebrations for years, including those that involve throat slashes and inappropriate gestures.

Just because London hadn’t seen the end zone in 13 games prior to this does not excuse his behavior. He should conduct himself as if he has experienced success before. In his third NFL season, he is well aware of the rules and the possible consequences of such actions that could put his team in jeopardy.

But

London’s public apology to his team stemmed from more than just isolated incidents. His celebration, broadcasted on national television, was particularly hurtful to those affected by mass shootings, especially given the recent tragic event at Apalachee High in Winder, Georgia, where two students and two teachers, including an assistant football coach, sadly lost their lives.

Before the Falcons headed to Philadelphia, they welcomed the Apalachee football team to their practice. Additionally, in the lead-up to their Week 1 match against the Steelers, many Falcons players donned Apalachee Football T-shirts for warmups. Yet, it appeared none of this was enough to stop London from celebrating in the way he did. Thankfully, it seems he has come to a realization.

“There’s a lot happening in the world related to gun violence that I shouldn’t have showcased in that moment,” London remarked. “I regret my actions and will not repeat that.”

This is a lesson learned, which is good. However, it’s not reassuring that London initially thought it was acceptable to emulate an act of violence that should not be trivialized in our society.

Tough Lessons for Joe Alt in the NFL

This Sunday’s game in Pittsburgh features an exciting matchup, showcasing rookie right tackle Joe Alt from the Chargers against Steelers All-Pro edge linebacker T.J. Watt.

Selected fifth overall from Notre Dame, Alt has made a notable impression, prompting L.A. coordinator Greg Roman to compare him to Ravens Hall of Famer Jonathan Ogden.

“His potential knows no bounds,” Roman shared with reporters. “Back when I worked with Jonathan Ogden, I see a chance for Alt to reach that level. But there’s a significant amount of hard work, time, knowledge, and experience needed to get there.”

We’ll see what happens next. Meanwhile, the challenges keep arising. In his debut, Alt faced off against Raiders standout Maxx Crosby (one sack, three QB hits, and one tackle for loss). Now he has to contend with a player who is just two and a half sacks away from his 100th career milestone (98 ½).

Roman added: “Crosby in Week 1, and now it’s T.J. Watt. What a gift.”

Quick Updates

Seven players in the league opted to wear Guardian Caps in Week 2, an increase from six in Week 1. For the first time this season, the NFL has allowed the use of this foam protective gear over helmets during regular-season games. These G-Caps, introduced during preseason practices in 2021, are designed to lessen the impact of hits.

League data indicates a roughly 50% drop in diagnosed concussions during games and practices over the past two preseasons. It will be interesting to observe whether more players choose this additional protection, despite the hit in style points.

∎ What an impressive start for Klint Kubiak as the new offensive coordinator in New Orleans. The Saints are leading the NFL with an average of 45.5 points per game, powered by strong performances from Derek Carr (NFL-best passer rating of 142.4) and Alvin Kamara (NFL-leading 290 yards from scrimmage). A striking statistic underlining their success: during the first three quarters of their consecutive wins, New Orleans converted 82.4% of their third downs.