Ravens vs. Cowboys 
Betting Odds, Picks and Predictions for Week 3
After a 1-1 start to their seasons, the Ravens and Cowboys face off in the second game of this season's International Series on Sunday afternoon in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
With extensive travel involved for both teams, and there reportedly being some field-condition-related concerns at play at Maracanã Stadium, there could be some unexpected results Sunday.
Without further ado, let's look into a pair of bets to consider for Sunday's International Series.
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Ravens vs. Cowboys Betting Odds
*Best lines at time of writing listed
- Moneyline: Ravens -170 (DraftKings), Cowboys +155 (Bet365)
- Point spread: Ravens -3.5 (BetRivers), Cowboys +3.5 (BetMGM)
- Totals: Over 52.5 points (FanDuel), Under 53.5 points (Caesars)
The Ravens are a fairly curious heavy moneyline favorites despite the fact Zay Flowers could miss another game due to his hamstring injury, and Baltimore's offense looked pedestrian without him in a 24-17 home loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 2. Meanwhile, the Cowboys looked markedly better in all phases during their Week 2 win over the Washington Commanders, but Dallas does have multiple defensive injuries to contend with.
The total of the game remains very robust despite heavy rain in Rio for the last several days, which is noteworthy as well. The offensive potential for each team is certainly there, but as already alluded to, the Ravens' offense naturally loses some steam when Flowers isn't on the field. The travel factor may also play into both teams having to deal with jet lag and corresponding underwhelming play, considering the Cowboys traveled over 5,200 miles and the Ravens traversed just under 4,800 miles to get to Brazil.
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Ravens vs. Cowboys Betting Picks
The Ravens and Cowboys have had similar early-season experiences, except the two teams alternated the weeks on which they posted their one dud thus far.
Baltimore was the team to get off to a hot start, thumping the Indianapolis Colts on the road by a 41-23 score. Flowers suffered his injury during the second quarter of that game, but he'd already amassed 150 yards and a touchdown by that point, and Derrick Henry more than made up for the star wideout's absence with 144 rushing yards and three TDs.
A few hours later, the Cowboys couldn't figure out Jaxson Dart in what would turn out to be his one full game all season, and New York's defense also made life difficult for stretches in a 28-20 loss for Brian Schottenheimer's squad.
A week later, the roles were reversed. The Ravens looked like a different team while playing the full game without Flowers and shockingly fell to the Saints at home, 24-17. Dallas atoned for its ugly opener by thrashing the Commanders, 37-20, at home, although the fact Jayden Daniels exited just before halftime with another dislocation of his elbow didn't hurt the Cowboys' cause in the least.
However, Dallas didn't escape that game without some attrition of its own, namely on the defensive side. The Cowboys will head into Sunday's game down all of Cobie Durant (hamstring), Malik Hooker (forearm) and P.J. Locke (foot) in the secondary, as well as DeMarvion Overshown (hamstring) in the center of their defense. That certainly isn't helpful with Henry on the docket, although if Flowers sits out despite having made it back to a limited practice Friday, loading up a bit heavier in the box to stop the run becomes more feasible.
There's been talk from some experts and NFLPA representatives that have been on the ground in Brazil for a few days about field conditions potentially being problematic Sunday, and that concern, along with the fact the Ravens may just be engaging in a bit of gamesmanship when it comes to Flowers, seems to still suggest a second straight absence could be in the cards for the talented receiver.
If so, the Cowboys will be a markedly higher-upside group overall on the offensive of the ball, and the Dak Prescott-CeeDee Lamb duo is also coming in hot after Lamb posted an 8-153-2 line against Washington. However, a player prop I'm interested in for a game in which I feel the projected total is a bit too elevated for the circumstances at play is the one for George Pickens' receiving yards.
While the franchise-tagged receiver has just a 9-68-0 line on 14 targets over the first pair of contests, Pickens naturally has the potential to pop for a game as big as Lamb's in any given week. That isn't the likeliest outcome Sunday with the expectation of some sluggish offense, but Baltimore has allowed an elevated 73.0 percent catch rate to wide receivers thus far and allowed both Saints starting receivers Chris Olave and Devaughn Vele to eclipse 60 receiving yards in Week 2.
Ravens vs. Cowboys Best Bets
- Under 53.5 points (-110 Hard Rock)
- George Pickens Over 59.5 Receiving Yards (-114 FanDuel)
Ravens vs. Cowboys Prediction
It's a bit difficult to full prognosticate this game without knowing for certain if Flowers will be available for Baltimore, but we're going to go on the assumption that both teams could be dealing with a bit of sluggishness and/or shaky field conditions. As such, a game that finishes comfortably under the total isn't hard to envision.
Prediction: Cowboys 24, Ravens 21
