Ravens Winners and Losers: Dominant Preseason Victory Over Cowboys
The Baltimore Ravens showcased a commanding performance in their Week 2 preseason matchup, defeating the Dallas Cowboys 31-13 on Saturday. Baltimore controlled the game from start to finish, demonstrating strength on both sides of the ball. While the victory was a positive sign for the team, individual performances varied—some players boosted their stock, while others struggled to impress.
Winner: Rasheen Ali
Second-year running back Rasheen Ali emerged as the biggest winner of the night. Ali’s quickness, vision, and ability to find gaps in the defense were on full display, as he totaled 62 yards on 19 carries. While his 3.3-yard average per carry might not seem exceptional, many of his runs were limited by a stout Cowboys defensive line.
Head coach John Harbaugh praised Ali for his explosiveness and playmaking ability, noting the team’s plan to carry four running backs this season—a move that essentially secures Ali’s roster spot. The praise reinforced that Ali’s talent and versatility are highly valued within the Ravens’ backfield.
Loser: Trenton Simpson
Linebacker Trenton Simpson, expected to compete for the second starting linebacker spot, once again failed to dominate the preseason field. Despite being a third-year player, Simpson was outperformed by two rookies: undrafted rookie Jay Higgins and fourth-round pick Teddye Buchanan.
Higgins made significant plays, including stripping Cowboys quarterback Will Grier on a sack, while Buchanan impressed with his coverage and pursuit skills. Simpson’s performance, though not poor, lacked the dominance expected of a player of his experience. While he is set to start Week 1, Simpson has yet to distinguish himself from the competition.
Winner: Keyon Martin
Rookie cornerback Keyon Martin made an immediate impact for the Ravens. On the Cowboys’ opening drive, Martin recorded a tackle for loss, followed by a sack of quarterback Joe Milton III for a safety on the very next play. His coverage was equally impressive, allowing only one reception and making key plays in the open field to stifle Dallas’ offense.
Martin’s performance makes it difficult for the Ravens to overlook him, whether for a roster spot or the practice squad. The 24-year-old rookie displayed the skills and instincts necessary to contribute in the regular season.
Loser: T.J. Tampa
Cornerback T.J. Tampa entered the season with high expectations, particularly after Baltimore lost rookie corners Bilhal Kone and Robert Longerbeam for the year. As a key depth player, Tampa needed to step up, but his performance against Dallas was underwhelming.
Tampa allowed two big plays and struggled to keep his eyes on the football in time—a recurring issue in his early career. While he made one notable no-look pass breakup, his lack of recovery speed and inconsistency in coverage remain concerns for the Ravens moving forward.
Winner: Devontez Walker
Receiver Devontez Walker finally delivered a breakout performance that Ravens fans had been anticipating. The North Carolina product made six catches on eight targets for 61 yards, serving as Baltimore’s primary target early in the game. Walker displayed excellent hands, concentration, and the ability to perform under tight coverage.
Having impressed throughout training camp, Walker’s strong preseason showing now makes him impossible to overlook as the Ravens head into the regular season. His emergence gives Baltimore another reliable weapon in the passing game and adds depth to an already talented roster.
Conclusion
Baltimore’s dominant preseason win over Dallas highlighted both the strengths and areas of concern within the team. Rasheen Ali, Keyon Martin, and Devontez Walker clearly emerged as rising stars, while Trenton Simpson and T.J. Tampa will need to improve to solidify their roles.
As the regular season approaches, the Ravens will look to build on their preseason momentum while addressing the performances that fell short. With young talent stepping up and veteran leadership guiding the way, Baltimore appears ready to enter 2025 with confidence and depth across key positions.
