NFL Week 16: Dallas Cowboys vs. Baltimore Ravens

Dallas Cowboys tickets feature the No. 2 & No. 7 defenses colliding in the final regular-season game in Texas Stadium.

Cowboys vs. Ravens Overview:
The Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens are coming off difficult rivalry games and are looking to cash their NFL Playoffs tickets. The devastating pass rush of the Dallas Cowboys destroyed Eli Manning and the New York Giants in a clutch win to bring them closer to playoff contention. The Baltimore Ravens lost a controversial game to the Pittsburgh Steelers but are still alive in the playoffs. With Texas Stadium about to close its doors and a playoff berth on the line, fans with Dallas Cowboys tickets are sure to turn out like never before for the rare Saturday night game.

Dallas Cowboys Offense:
Many fans with Dallas Cowboys tickets thought the season was over when RB Marion Barber suffered a nagging injury, but rookie RB Tashard Choice has stepped up to carry some of the load. The huge offensive line of the Dallas Cowboys is outstanding at pounding front sevens and is incredibly mobile. The relationship between WR Terrell Owens and TE Jason Witten seems to be mended, and QB Tony Romo is excited to see his two best players working together. WR Roy Williams is a wildcard weapon and is looking for a breakout game to draw coverage.

Dallas Cowboys Defense:
Leading the NFL in sacks, the Dallas Cowboys 3-4 defense keeps QBs awake at night and leaves them limping in the morning. Dallas Cowboys tickets feature OLB DeMarcus Ware, who has 19 sacks by himself and attacks from every location on the defensive front seven. OLB/DE Anthony Spencer is starting to emerge as a pass rusher as well along with veteran OLB Greg Ellis. NT Jay Ratliff rules the line of scrimmage and can rush the passer or shut down running lanes. Fans with Dallas Cowboys tickets know that CBs Anthony Henry and Terrence Newman are great in space and S Ken Hamlin is a headhunter in the box or deep.

Baltimore Ravens Offense:
The Baltimore Ravens offense is a classic smash-mouth team that loves to run behind its powerful offensive line. With human-battering ram FB Lorenzo Neal ahead of them, RBs Willis McGahee, Le’Ron McClain, and Ray Rice are able to rack up tough yards. The hard running also wears out defenses and controls the clock. QB Joe Flacco is responsible for managing the game and getting first downs when required. WR Derrick Mason and TE Todd Heap have really stepped up their play to help their rookie QB develop into a young leader.

Baltimore Ravens Defense:
Also based on the 3-4 set, the Baltimore Ravens defense is ranked No. 2 in the NFL and smothers offenses with blitzes and pure aggression. NT/DE Haloti Ngata is the buttress by which the rest of the defense is built. ILB Ray Lewis is on his way to the Hall of Fame but is still an elite player at his age. OLB/DE Terrell Suggs and OLB Jarrett Johnson attack the QB from the edges. The Baltimore Ravens secondary has overcome injuries and is one of the best in football. S Ed Reed defines the term “ballhawk” as he seems to find the football on fumbles and interceptions.

Dallas Cowboys Keys to Victory:
Even the Pittsburgh Steelers realized the futility of trading power-run punches with the Baltimore Ravens and turned to the passing game. With an injury slowing down RB Marion Barber, fans with Dallas Cowboys tickets will see the Dallas Cowboys go to the air instead. TE Jason Witten could be a big factor as his ability to go across the middle will either draw Ed Reed to him or peel off LBs. With Roy Williams and Terrell Owens to choose from, Tony Romo will look to the player not shadowed by Ed Reed and will go deep. Tony Romo and his offensive line must be alert against the shifting 3-4 defense.

After seeing the ghastly fate of Eli Manning and the New York Giants due to the crushing pass rush, the Baltimore Ravens know that they have to win by running the football. The Dallas Cowboys also know this and will do everything to stop the chugging train of RBs. NT Jay Ratliff needs to continue ruling the roost of the line of scrimmage as his ability to collapse the center lets ILBs Zach Thomas and Bradie James fill the gaps and make tackles. The constant rush of OLB DeMarcus Ware will make QB Joe Flacco nervous and should lead to some rookie mistakes.

Baltimore Ravens Game Plan:
The Baltimore Ravens do not want DeMarcus Ware getting acquainted with QB Joe Flacco so getting the run going early will be key. RB Le’Ron McClain should see a majority of the carries since the Dallas Cowboys have had a tough time bringing down bigger running backs. Getting a double team on NT Jay Ratliff is a must for every play as he can overpower any single player. The weak spot of the Dallas Cowboys secondary is SS Keith Davis and the Baltimore Ravens would love to have TE Todd Heap matched up on him often.

Fans with Dallas Cowboys tickets will love the pass-happy attack of their team, but the Baltimore Ravens will be ready for it. S Ed Reed gives the Baltimore Ravens secondary a lot of flexibility as his mere presence on one side of the field or the other will force Tony Romo to target the opposite. With Terrell Owens drawing a majority of the double teams, it will be up to the other CB to cover WR Roy Williams one on one. NT Haloti Ngata needs a big game up front on runs and passes. The Baltimore Ravens can’t get too aggressive on the blitz as the shotgun draw killed the New York Giants.

Cowboys vs. Ravens Outlook:
Fans with Dallas Cowboys tickets were treated to a hard-hitting battle against the New York Giants in Texas Stadium, and they would love another victory to close out the last regular-season game in the historic venue. The battle between the No. 7 Dallas Cowboys defense and the No. 2 D of the Baltimore Ravens will be like a street fight between two of the toughest guys in the neighborhood. There will be plenty of broken bodies and the stadium-filling volume of big hits will echo through the hallowed rafters of Texas Stadium.

There is too much on the line for the Dallas Cowboys to lose this critical game, and fans with Dallas Cowboys tickets know this. With the eyes of the media firmly upon them, the Dallas Cowboys handed their hated rival a defeat. Under the glare of thousands of fans with Dallas Cowboys tickets in Texas Stadium, the support of the fans and the gravity of history will push America’s Team forward. It will not be an easy game against a tough defense and the score will not be high, but the Dallas Cowboys will crawl out of the brawl with a victory.