The Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens square off against each other in what many are calling the "Desperation Bowl" as the former tries to erase the painful memory of a 44-19 loss and the latter does everything in its power to avoid dropping to 0-3.
Clearly, the Cowboys will need a better effort on the field to bring down the mighty Ravens, who just fought for a ticket to the Super Bowl back in January.
That starts with stars just like Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb going off, and Micah Parsons making plays on the defensive side of things. But today, we look at three players not considered starts than need to win their respective matchups on Sunday to put the Cowboys in a winning position.
WR Brandin Cooks
One big thing was made clear in Week 2: The Cowboys need more playmakers not named CeeDee Lamb to step up as opposing defenses zero in on taking No. 88 away with double coverage. Evidently, the team could use a better WR3 but just like last year, it feels like the veteran Cooks could use a bigger role.
Last year, it took he and Dak Prescott about half a season to get on the same page. The Cowboys offense was able to afford it as it found other answers. In 2024, I'm not sure they've got that much time. Cooks needs to get going against the Ravens.
Having Jake Ferguson back should only help get the speedy and savvy receiver more one-on-one looks to stretch the field horizontally and vertically.
LB DeMarvion Overshown
After a week of everyone scrutinizing Overshown's snap count against the New Orleans Saints, the second-year linebacker claims he's on the base defense this week, via Clarence Hill Jr.
Overshown will have to be a factor in the running game against the Ravens, as they're likely to challenge the Cowboys defense in the perimeter to replicate the Saints' whopping success running the ball.
Additionally, the rangy Overshown will likely be charged with spying Lamar Jackson just like he did against Deshaun Watson. Jackson is much more dangerous as a dual-threat QB and that will show, however.
LT Tyler Guyton
This is a big one. The Ravens' defensive line is no joke and that starts with edge rusher Odafe Oweh, who is graded as a top 5 player at his position by PFF. Guyton has been inconsistent two weeks into the season and it's clear the Cowboys coaching staff has focused on helping him out in protection.
The problem is Terence Steele isn't doing so hot either and with both tackles needing some pass pro help, both of these guys will need to survive on an island in several instances. I expect the Cowboys' gameplan on Sunday to be very pass-centric, so those tackles will need to survive on the edges to give Dak Prescott a chance.
That starts with the rookie.
