FRISCO, Texas — The wacky 2020 NFL season keeps chugging along. Following a re-scheduling craze, the Cowboys were allotted a 12 day rest period and essentially a second bye week between the Thanksgiving matchup against the Washington Football Team and the square off with the Ravens on Tuesday in week 13. After what seems to be an eternally long layoff, the Cowboys will travel to M&T Bank Stadium to take on the makeshift Ravens’ squad.
Despite the Ravens decimated roster due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the team still holds a top ten defense in the NFL. The unit has limited offenses to minimal production and currently rank fourth in points per game allowed.
Cowboys quarterback Andy Dalton will once again be tasked with throwing behind an injury-ravaged offensive line, and against a stellar Ravens’ secondary.
“ Their defense flies around, ” Dalton Schultz told media via conference call.
“ They’ve got a lot of physical players, and then their back end, they’ve got probably some of the best cover guys that we’re going to see all year. It’s definitely a challenge, something that we look forward to.”
Baltimore’s cornerback duo, Marcus Peters and Marlon Humphrey set the tone on defense and specialize in press coverage. Both control the backfield with their physicality and Humphrey leads the league with six forced fumbles. The Ravens are not afraid to employ both on an opponent’s top receiver. It is not out of the ordinary to see Humphrey shadow a team’s star wideout in the first half and then Peters travel with him in the second half. If Peters still has lingering effects from the injury suffered against the Steelers that sidelined him for a portion of the ballgame, it is doubtful that the Ravens will travel Peters alone with Cooper throughout the duration of the game. Both guys could get a shot at covering the Cowboys’ No.1 receiver.
Cooper accumulated 112 yards on six receptions and a touchdown against Washington last week. The Cowboys offense has been plagued with injuries to both the offensive line and quarterback, but Cooper still has the 12th most yards in the league at the position. His route-running ability is consistently praised by peers and deservedly so. He will likely have extra juice on Tuesday.
Emotions run high between the hash marks and the last time Cooper and Peters faced off in the NFC Divisional Round meeting between the Cowboys and Rams, things got heated. The feud escalated and the usually soft-spoken Amari Cooper ended up having a physical altercation with Peters in the end zone during the playoff game and another continued after the final whistle blew.
Over the years, Cooper and Peters have developed a rivalry and familiarity with one another dating back to their days of facing off in the AFC West, when Cooper played for the Raiders and Peters with the Chiefs. The antagonism between wide receivers and cornerbacks runs deep. This week’s combinations will certainly be something to keep an eye on.
In describing Peters’ coverage ability, Cooper told D210SPORTS, “ He’s a ball hawk. He’s always looking to make that big play for his team-whether it’s a catch, an interception, get a PBU [pass breakup]. I would say that’s a big thing.”
The Cowboys’ talented receiver trio of Cooper, Michael Gallup, and CeeDee Lamb will go up against the Raven’s tough last line of defense. Get the popcorn ready as the chess match begins.
