Ravens @ Cowboys
Final Score: Ravens 31, Cowboys 13
Writer: Brett Ford (@FadeThatMan)
Is there such thing as a “Revenge Game” in the preseason? Ravens backup quarterback Cooper Rush returned to Dallas after filling in for Dak Prescott for more than half a season in 2024, leading the Ravens to a victory over the host Cowboys at Jerry World. Neither team played any of their top-echelon fantasy assets, but the same old story came from both offenses as the Ravens were able to move the ball consistently both through the air and on the ground, while the Cowboys struggled to get anything going with their backups in the game – sounds an awful lot like 2024, doesn’t it? Let’s dig in.
Three Up
- Tylan Wallace – Left the game in the first quarter – proof that he’s more likely than the other fringe receivers to be included in the regular season game plan
- KeVontae Turpin – Along with CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, Turpin was a healthy scratch, indicating that he is likely the third receiver on the depth chart in Dallas
- D’Ernest Johnson – With Keaton Mitchell out of the game with an injury, Johnson looked sharp out of the backfield with 5.5 YPC and a score
Three Down
- Keaton Mitchell – Missed valuable game situation reps with an undisclosed injury
- Miles Sanders – Returned from an injury just this week, but got snaps in Preseason Week 2, gaining just 2.1 yards per carry – not a great look for a guy “competing for RB1”
- Joe Milton III – The finest luxury sports car with a driver that’s never even seen a stick shift before
Baltimore Ravens
Quarterback
Cooper Rush: 20/30, 198 Yards, TD, 2 INT
Rush and the Ravens dominated time of possession in the first quarter, but still trailed after the initial frame due to Rush’s bad throw that resulted in a pick-six. His receiver was not open, created no separation, and Rush forced it in anyway. It was caught by the defense and taken for a score. He bounced back from that poor decision with a touchdown drive, capping it with an athletic play to extend and find Keith Kirkwood in the back of the end zone for a one-yard touchdown. If Rush is ever called into action, he’ll need to work on his risk management (and just hand the ball to Derrick Henry).
Devin Leary: 5/10, 53 Yards | 2 Carries, 5 Yards
Leary was inserted into this one late and was not fun to watch. His appearance this week went better than his Preseason Week 1 performance against the Colts, but it appears safe to say that the Ravens will only carry two quarterbacks into the regular season.
Running Back
Rasheen Ali: 19 Carries, 62 Yards | 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 10 Yards
Ali looked outstanding in Preseason Week 1 against the Colts and was just okay against the Cowboys in Preseason Week 2. He was the first Ravens running back to get touches and was used heavily, including a pair of targets, before exiting the game in the second quarter. Ali’s status as the fourth running back feels relatively safe after his dynamic performance last week.
D’Ernest Johnson: 11 Carries, 61 Yards, TD | 4 Targets, 1 Reception, 6 Yards
Johnson put some good plays on film, including a 16-yard off-tackle run to the left and a short touchdown run to the right. He may end up on the Baltimore roster or practice squad as a depth back, but he has a long way to go to pass any of the guys in front of him.
D'Ernest Johnson gets into the end zone for the TD 😤pic.twitter.com/Cc9mVixvMe
— NFL on ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsNFL) August 17, 2025
Myles Gaskin: 7 Carries, 20 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 24 Yards
Gaskin made the most of his opportunities and might have laid the biggest and best hit of the game on his lone reception after slipping out of the backfield, putting a defensive back on his keister.
Myles Gaskin 👀 I see you… pic.twitter.com/7LRo9Sn1B9
— Ej Savage (Boys ‘N the Zone) (@BoysNtheZone) August 17, 2025
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Devontez Walker: 8 Targets, 6 Receptions, 61 Yards
Walker made an outstanding contested catch on a ball thrown behind him on the Ravens’ first play from scrimmage, highlighting a solid showing where he pulled in six of eight targets. The second-year wide receiver has a good shot at making the squad out of camp, but remains behind Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, DeAndre Hopkins, and Tylan Wallace on the depth chart.
Anthony Miller: 4 Targets, 4 Receptions, 55 Yards
Miller pulled in all four of his targets for 55 yards, including a nice over-the-shoulder grab on a corner route that he held onto for just long enough to be ruled a catch. Lined up in the slot, he made a quick move on the corner route and generated enough separation to make the play.
Dayton Wade: 6 Targets, 4 Receptions, 45 Yards
Wade has been generating buzz at camp and put together a solid film in Preseason Week 2, catching four out of six targets for 45 yards. Despite being on the outside looking in as far as making the roster, Wade could be someone that the Ravens keep around on the practice squad if things fall his way.
Charlie Kolar: 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 20 Yards
Kolar showed reliable hands as a safety valve for Rush in this one, catching all three of his passes for 20 yards. Kolar flashed moments of brilliance last season – and was a fantastic post-game interview – but is still buried on the depth chart behind Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely, and Patrick Ricard.
Keith Kirkwood: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 1 Yard, TD
Kirkwood caught a touchdown pass from Rush on his only target. He did a good job of helping out his quarterback on a scramble play. He’s likely a practice squad guy that could be a decent depth piece for the Ravens if needed.
Baylor Cupp: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 13 Yards
Zaire Mitchell-Paden: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 11 Yards
Scotty Washington: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 5 Yards
LaJohntay Wester: 4 Targets
After returning a punt for an electrifying touchdown in Preseason Week 1, Wester was kept quiet – both on special teams, where he did not have a chance at a retur,n and as part of the offense. The one highlight this week was a negative one – Wester got poor separation at the top of his route, was manhandled by the corner, and then the back picked it off and returned it for a score. He’ll need some work if he wants to see the field for anything more than kick and punt returns in Baltimore.
Dallas Cowboys
Quarterback
Joe Milton III: 9/18, 122 Yards, INT | 3 Carries, 6 Yards
Milton has literally all the physical tools that an NFL team could ever want. He’s just not playing the position well right now. He made too many mistakes for the Cowboys to feel comfortable with him as the backup to Dak, in my opinion. He failed to identify a crafty blitz from the Ravens on his own goal line and took a safety, and later in the game, completely misread the Baltimore defense and threw an easy pick in the end zone. Granted, it was a showcase of Milton’s arm strength, sailing 40 yards on a rope with little to no effort on his part, but it was easily snatched by the Baltimore safety. Granted, there were a couple of good throws, too (see below). But too many mistakes marred this appearance by the former Tennessee Volunteer.
Joe Milton. QB1. pic.twitter.com/gjIeJmEGol
— PFT Commenter (@PFTCommenter) August 17, 2025
Will Grier: 1/5, 33 Yards | 1 Carry, 7 Yards, Fumble (LOST)
Grier completed one really nice pass to a tight end streaking up the seam, and that was about it. He’ll be on the practice squad soon.
Running Back
Miles Sanders: 7 Carries, 15 Yards
After two carries, Sanders had lost four yards running against the stout Ravens defensive front. The Cowboys struggled to move the ball, especially early in the game, running only six plays in the first quarter. Sanders’ two best runs came in the second quarter, scampering for seven yards on back-to-back plays to make up nearly all of his yardage for the day. Javonte Williams was dressed and went through warm-ups, but didn’t take any snaps. This would indicate that he is well ahead of Sanders on the depth chart so far. Meanwhile, Jaydon Blue was nursing a foot/ankle injury and also didn’t play in this one. Speculation is that Blue could be in the mix for the Cowboys’ RB1, but we’ll have to wait and see.
Deuce Vaughn: 5 Carries, 11 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 7 Yards
The diminutive Vaughn was okay in pass protection but didn’t get very many opportunities. He started the second half and caught his only target, but there wasn’t much else for Vaughn to accomplish in this one.
Phil Mafah: 3 Carries, 7 Yards
Mafah ran hard enough to deserve some more looks. It was difficult to make a true judgment of his talent on just three touches.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Jalen Tolbert: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 2 Yards
Tolbert left the game early on after making a catch on the Cowboys’ second drive of the day. He’ll likely be lodged as the fourth receiver in Dallas.
Jonathan Mingo: 4 Targets, 1 Reception, 49 Yards
Mingo was the targeted receiver on Milton’s worst throw of the day (the end zone interception). His only catch was a 49-yard drop in a basket from Milton that Mingo made a nice adjustment on to pull in near the sideline. After the catch, he was nursing an injury, and as of publication is still awaiting MRI results.
Joe Milton to Jonathan Mingo for a 50 yard gain might be the worst connection ever pic.twitter.com/6ukn7jx8VX
— BY9 MVP (@chasemeidroth) August 17, 2025
Princeton Fant: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 33 Yards
Fant made a really nice catch on a seam route and absorbed contact for a big gain. He’s buried on the Cowboys’ depth chart but showed some good hands and athleticism. He could be a name to monitor if Dallas sees as many injuries as they did last year.
Will The Thrill Grier comes in and finds Princeton Fant for a big playpic.twitter.com/Eii9ruPVc8
— Tom Downey (@WhatGoingDowney) August 17, 2025
Ryan Flournoy: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 27 Yards
Flournoy had a couple of nice catches, including a solid catch and run on a deep in route, but really stood out on special teams. He earned a pancake block, taking one of the Ravens’ gunners out of the play on one punt return, and then forced a fair catch as the gunner on punt coverage. He seems determined to find a way to make the team – even if it is only on special teams.
John Stephens Jr.: 3 Target, 3 Receptions, 26 Yards
The former Ragin’ Cajun caught all three of his targets, showing solid hands for a tight end. He didn’t have any plays that popped off the page like Fant’s catch, but he did what he could with his opportunities.
Jalen Brooks: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 11 Yards