Ravens Choke Out Cowboys

In today’s NFL world, the best outcome a team can hope for during a preseason game is to emerge from the game unscathed. In other words, injury free. That unfortunately wasn’t the case for the Ravens when we learned that Adisa Isaac suffered a dislocated elbow that will put the promising edge rusher on the shelf for several weeks. Even John Harbaugh said that Isaac will, “be out for a few weeks at least. We’ll see the extent of it probably tomorrow.”

If John says, “a few weeks at least”, it could be a couple of months.

Per the Cleveland Clinic:

“It usually takes several weeks to recover from a simple elbow dislocation. You’ll need to keep your elbow immobilized for a week or two to heal. After your elbow has healed enough to use it, you’ll need physical therapy for a few weeks.”

Isaac is no stranger to injuries. While at Penn State he suffered an Achilles injury that sidelined him during the 2021 season. His rookie season in Baltimore was derailed by a hamstring injury that limited him to four games. And now with the dislocated elbow, Isaac is likely to miss the first four games, opening the door for David Ojabo and perhaps a reunion with Jadeveon Clowney or ZaDarius Smith.

This is life in the NFL.

And now that we’ve gotten the ugly out of the way, let’s get to the balance of the Good, Bad, Ugly & The Paige Spiranac.

THE GOOD

Offense

Cooper Rush looked better than he did in the preseason opener against the Colts. He was 20 of 30 for 198 yards and a TD strike to Keith Kirkwood. Rush’s stats include two interceptions, but neither was his fault…Rasheen Ali had a workmanlike outing. He’s decisive once he escapes initial contain, planting his foot and heading north. Ali had 62 yards on 19 carries…D’Ernest Johnson was a bit more explosive than Ali, posting 61 yards on 11 carries for 5.5 YPC and a score. Newly acquired Myles Gaskin struggled a bit running the ball. Six of his carries only amounted to 7 yards although he did have a 13-yard scamper and looked adept taking a swing pass for 24 yards to convert a first down that he finished with a shoulder to the chest of the defender.

Anthony Miller and Dayton Wade each had four catches for a combined 100 yards…Overall the Ravens offensive reserves produced 399 yards of offense…The Ravens won the battle for possession by a whopping 40:11 to 19:49 due in large part to the efficiencies of the offensive line play…The Ravens had 26 first downs to the Cowboys 7.

“@RunItUpCorey’s fantastic… Guys were going to the right places, that’s all Corey” @rush_cooper pic.twitter.com/FfuHoOdK86

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 17, 2025

Defense

Zach Orr’s unit yielded just 176 net yards. They held the Cowboys to just 2 third down conversion on 11 attempts and Dallas was 0 for 2 on fourth down conversion attempts…On the Cowboys first offensive possession, Teddye Buchanan (4 tackles) demonstrated a burst to string out a run to the left by Miles Sanders that Keyon Martin finished for a 5-yard loss. On the next play Martin was untouched on a blitz to drop Dallas QB Joe Milton for a safety.

Reuben Lowery has been making plays throughout camp and during the preseason. His visit to Jerry World was no exception. Lowery was a sure tackler (4) and had the Ravens only INT in the end zone. His versatility cannot be understated and at this point it would be a mild upset if he doesn’t make the final 53.

DEFENSE CAME TO PLAY

Tune in on WBAL! pic.twitter.com/hsG5VuuhFu

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 17, 2025

Jay Higgins continues to play like he belongs. He followed up his first preseason success with a forced fumble and a sack, totaling 4 tackles…DB Keondre Jackson was active posting 4 tackles including a TFL…Malik Hamm, as he seemingly does every preseason, had a nice game contributing a sack and a TFL. Isaac’s injury could open the door for him if the Ravens don’t go outside the building to backfill Isaac’s loss…Chandler Martin flashed as a blitzer…C.J. Ravenell continues to show up on tape. Hopefully the Ravens get a chance to employ him on the practice squad again in 2025.

Keyon Martin, more like Kenyon Martin the way he’s getting 2 points in the paint. pic.twitter.com/iHzYWRPNt3

— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) August 16, 2025

Special Teams

Tyler Loop (5 of 6 FGA’s) and Jordan Stout (55.0 net yards average) had very good nights…The kick return game averaged 29 yards on 4 returns…The Ravens coverage teams yielded just 2 return yards on 2 punts. LaJohntay Wester looked smooth coming up in traffic on short punts to make a fair catch.

.@tyler_loop‘s fam is locked in pic.twitter.com/QxkhqIeiOs

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 17, 2025

THE BAD

Offense

Devin Leary might not even be worthy of a practice squad spot. Tyler Huntley may be a better choice once the Browns remember he’s on their roster of 7 quarterbacks and eventually cut him…Screens haven’t looked very cohesive so far during the preseason. Ali looks rather lost as a receiver…If he’s on the team come September and is forced into action, Joseph Noteboom could make the Ravens season go KA-BOOM. He’s not an adequate reserve…Wester was more responsible for the pick 6 than Rush. He needs to cross the face of the defender on that timed out route. That said, the defender should have been flagged for illegal contact and the INT should have been negated.

Defense

T.J. Tampa got his flowers for his performance in preseason game 1, although I didn’t see it that way. In Dallas he looked lost at times, particularly during a 49-yard connection from Joe Milton to Jonathan Mingo.

THEY SAID IT

“Yes, [Keaton Mitchell] has a little hamstring [injury], so it’s just something … Those have to heal. So, he’s working on [it]. I think there’s a chance [he can play] this week. [But] if not this week, he’ll be fine for the [season] opener.” ~ John Harbaugh

“It’s definitely very important. It allows me to understand the defense better and where everything fits in the defense. So, when I do play one position versus the other, I understand what they’re doing. I understand where my help is at. I understand so many more things, and that’s been the emphasis from the older guys, the vets. The know more defense [and] know more about the schemes so you can be a more versatile player so you can help out this team. This was about just serving our teammates and getting better.” ~ Reuben Lowery on his versatility

THE PAIGE SPIRANAC AWARD

He’s been getting it done throughout training camp and now he’s doing the same in the preseason. With 6 catches for 61 yards on 8 targets Devontez Walker is our Player of the Game. Can he carry this success into the regular season? That’s the next rung on the ladder of Tez’s ascent.

Have a day @DevontezWalker pic.twitter.com/bGUIew9Moz

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) July 29, 2025

[Related Article: Knee Jerk Reactions, Ravens at Cowboys]

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