The Baltimore Ravens took a big step up in the NFL power rankings after their hard-fought 28-25 victory over the Dallas Cowboys.
With their backs against the wall, the Ravens came through in a big way, piling up 274 rushing yards and rushing for three touchdowns to secure the win at AT&T Stadium on Sunday.
Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry showed just how dangerous the Ravens’ ground game can be when everything clicks. Jackson ran for 87 yards and a touchdown, while Henry rumbled for 151 yards and two scores, making it clear the Ravens’ offense is starting to find its rhythm.
This much-needed victory pushed the Ravens up the ladder in several major power rankings. However, a few concerns remain after Week 3, especially with tight end Mark Andrews and kicker Justin Tucker. Andrews was surprisingly quiet with only one target, and Tucker’s missed 46-yard field goal in the fourth quarter raised eyebrows.
There are also some concerns about discipline and unforced errors, but Rome wasn’t built in a day. For now, the Ravens are in a better position than they were the past couple of weeks and that’s a good sign.
Here’s a look at where the Ravens stand in three different NFL Power Rankings.
The Ravens are ascending across several Power Rankings after Cowboys win
Bleacher Report Power Rankings: 15th
Last week’s ranking: 14th
“After falling in the season opener to the Kansas City Chiefs and then being stunned at home by the Raiders, there wasn’t a team in the NFL who needed a win more in Week 3 than the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens got that win—and they did so by getting back to what they do best. To say the Ravens went run-heavy against the Cowboys is an understatement—Baltimore ran the ball a whopping 45 times Sunday, including 25 carries for 151 yards and two scores from Derrick Henry in his best game as a Raven.”
CBS Sports Power Rankings: 13th
Last week’s ranking: 15th
“They beat the Cowboys behind their running game, but they sure did make it interesting in the second half. The defense has to tighten up.”
ESPN Power Rankings: 12th
Last week’s ranking: 13th
“The three-time Pro Bowler has gone from being QBLamar Jackson’s favorite target to a surprising nonfactor in the passing game.
Andrews has been limited to six catches for 65 yards, both of which are his fewest three weeks into the season. It seems like the emergence of tight endIsaiah Likelyhas taken away some of Andrews’ targets, and the addition of running backDerrick Henryhas removed some of Andrews’ red zone opportunities.
On Sunday, the Ravens went with a run-heavy game plan, which resulted in Andrews not making a catch for the first time in 76 games.”
The Ravens’ climb in the power rankings after their Week 3 win over the Cowboys is a positive sign for a team that desperately needed a victory. While their run-heavy game plan and impressive performances from Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry show the offense is finding its groove, some areas still need attention.
However, with the Ravens back in the win column and rising in the rankings, there’s a renewed sense of optimism. If they can tighten up the defense and get their key players more involved, Baltimore looks poised to continue its upward trajectory as the season progresses. The Ravens are in a good position to build off this win and keep climbing the ranks in the coming weeks.