Ravens vs. Cowboys: 5 Dallas players Baltimore cannot overlook in Rio
Ravens vs. Cowboys: 5 Dallas players Baltimore cannot overlook in Rio
Geoffrey A Knox, Ravens WireFri, September 25, 2026 at 8:08 PM UTC
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The Baltimore Ravens are preparing for one of the most unique games on their 2026 schedule. A trip to Rio de Janeiro, an international stage, and a matchup with the Dallas Cowboys offer plenty of intrigue before either team even takes the field.
Most of the attention this week will naturally focus on Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Lamar Jackson, and Derrick Henry. That's understandable. Star players tend to decide big games. Still, anyone who has watched the NFL long enough knows victories often come down to players operating just outside the spotlight.
Dallas has several of those players. Some have already emerged as key contributors in two weeks, while others have the skill set to change a game with one play. Here are five sneaky threats Baltimore must keep quiet on Sunday. All will have their say on how this one plays out.
Javonte Williams, running back
Stopping Dallas starts with slowing Prescott and his talented receiving corps, but the Ravens can't get so focused on the passing attack that they forget about Javonte Williams. He remains a versatile weapon who can hurt defenses as both a runner and a receiver.
That dual-threat ability makes him particularly dangerous against aggressive defenses. If Baltimore commits extra attention to Lamb, Pickens, and Jake Ferguson, Williams is exactly the type of player who can capitalize underneath.
Baltimore's linebackers and safeties will have to stay disciplined when plays break down. Prescott has always done a good job finding check-down options when deeper routes are covered, and Williams can turn those opportunities into meaningful gains. The Ravens must make sure routine completions stay routine.
Jaishawn Barham, linebacker
Dallas has dealt with injuries at linebacker, but Jaishawn Barham has stepped into a larger role and responded well. Through two games, he has piled up 13 tackles, including two tackles for loss, while also forcing a fumble. Those numbers paint the picture of an active defender who consistently finds his way around the football.
What makes him dangerous is his willingness to attack downhill. Baltimore's offense thrives when it stays ahead of the chains, but linebackers who can create negative plays often disrupt that rhythm. If Barham consistently meets runners in the backfield or forces difficult third-down situations, he could become an unexpected factor.
Shavon Revel Jr., cornerback
The Cowboys have asked Shavon Revel Jr. to take on a larger role while dealing with injuries in the secondary, and so far he has handled the challenge well. His statistics won't jump off the page, but four tackles and a pass breakup only tell part of the story.
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Revel has shown confidence when the ball comes his way, which is exactly what defensive coordinators want from young cornerbacks. For Baltimore, the concern is obvious.
Lamar Jackson is aggressive by nature and trusts his receivers to win contested situations. That confidence often leads to explosive plays, but it can also create turnover opportunities when defensive backs remain disciplined. Revel may not receive the same attention as Dallas' established veterans, but he possesses the ability to make a game-changing play if Baltimore gets careless with the football.
Kenny Clark, nose tackle
Few matchups may be more important than the battle in the middle of the line of scrimmage. The Ravens spent much of the week discussing the pressure packages the New Orleans Saints used against them. Interior pressure created several problems, particularly when defenders attacked the A-gaps and forced Baltimore's protection to adjust on the fly.
That brings Kenny Clark into focus. The veteran remains one of the league's most disruptive interior defenders, even when he isn't recording sacks. His ability to collapse the pocket can create problems for quarterbacks and offensive linemen alike.
Jovaughn Gwyn and the rest of Baltimore's interior line will have their hands full. If Clark consistently pushes the pocket backward, Dallas could create many of the same issues that frustrated the Ravens a week ago.
Brandon Aubrey, kicker
This may feel like an unconventional selection, but special teams often decide games between evenly matched opponents. Aubrey changes the way defenses must think once Dallas approaches midfield. His range allows the Cowboys to turn drives that might end in punts for other teams into legitimate scoring opportunities.
That puts additional pressure on opposing defenses because every yard matters. Baltimore experienced firsthand how costly special-teams issues can become. In a game expected to be competitive, the Ravens cannot afford to gift Dallas favorable field position or allow possessions to linger because they underestimate Aubrey's range.
The Ravens do not need to erase every player on this list. That rarely happens against talented opponents. They must avoid letting one of these lesser-discussed contributors become the hidden storyline after the final whistle.
Everyone expects Prescott, Lamb, Pickens, Jackson, and Henry to influence the outcome. The bigger question is whether someone like Williams, Barham, Revel, Clark, or Aubrey delivers the play nobody saw coming. If Baltimore handles those secondary threats, its chances of leaving Brazil with a victory improve considerably.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens vs. Cowboys: 5 Dallas players Baltimore cannot overlook in Rio
Source: “AOL Sports”
