Expert predictions for Ravens vs. Cowboys: Who will win Week 3 clash in Brazil?

The Ravens (1-1) will face the Dallas Cowboys (1-1) at 4:25 p.m. Sunday in Rio de Janeiro. Here are game predictions from The Banner’s sports staff and a guest picker.

Dealing with trust issues

Kyle Goon, columnist (1-1): I really don’t want to believe in the Ravens this week. With Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, the Cowboys have more than enough passing firepower to make their lives hell. And, after the disappointment against the Saints, it’s clear key members of this secondary, especially at safety, cannot yet be trusted in coverage.

And yet two X factors force me to consider the Ravens favorites here: Derrick Henry and Nnamdi Madubuike. Even if the Cowboys stack the box against Henry (which they should), their defense hasn’t shown fortitude or tackling against the run. Henry’s gravity should open things up in the passing game, even if Baltimore doesn’t have Zay Flowers. With Madubuike seemingly on track to make his return, the Ravens will have an interior guy who can hassle Prescott and add juice to the pass rush. Both offenses may wind up relatively one-dimensional, but I have to admit I still like Baltimore’s defense a lot more than Dallas’ group.

Ravens 34, Cowboys 24

Lessons learned

Giana Han, reporter (1-1): I originally thought this would be a loss for the Ravens, but that was before they lost to the New Orleans Saints. Lessons on resiliency came early, and I think this coaching staff will teach them well. I believe Jesse Minter will have a plan to stop quarterback Dak Prescott and this pass-heavy offense. George Pickens will have his wins, but if this secondary can step up after last week’s performance, it should be able to slow the Cowboys.

On offense, the status of left tackle Ronnie Stanley and wide receiver Zay Flowers concerns me, but the Cowboys defense has not looked good against less talented pairings than Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry. Plus, I’ve been told there will be a loud contingent of Ravens fans in the crowd. Jackson will be feeling the love.

Ravens 28, Cowboys 24

Playing the field

Jonas Shaffer, reporter (1-1): This game has the week’s highest over-under, and for good reason. The Cowboys haven’t faced a quarterback as capable as Lamar Jackson. The Ravens haven’t faced a quarterback as capable as Dak Prescott. But the Ravens should be better prepared to stop Dallas’ passing attack than the Cowboys are to stop the Ravens’ run game, and on questionable field conditions, that matters.

Ravens 30, Cowboys 24

Bombs away in Brazil

Childs Walker, contributor (1-1): The Dallas defense is banged up and ripe to be attacked. But Zay Flowers’ possible absence makes that a more difficult proposition for an offense that lost its explosiveness in the second half against the Saints. The Ravens could turn to the same battering-ram formula the Giants used to beat the Cowboys in Week 1. They’ll have to score plenty of points, however, because Dak Prescott and his crew of elite pass catchers will take aim at a Baltimore defense that looked discombobulated trying to protect a lead in Week 2. It adds up to a dangerous recipe for the Ravens.

Cowboys 31, Ravens 27

Ground and pound

Brandon Weigel, editor (1-1): When I picked the Cowboys to be the NFC representatives in the Super Bowl, I was banking on their investments on defense leading to a more stable unit to complement a top-flight offense. It hasn’t quite worked that way. Through two games, Dallas has allowed 347 rushing yards, good for 30th in the league.

The Cowboys are just ahead of the Indianapolis Colts, the Ravens’ Week 1 opponent, who conceded 144 yards and three touchdowns to Derrick Henry. As we saw, a steady dose of Henry helped make up for the second-half loss of explosive wide receiver Zay Flowers. Henry was frustratingly absent from the game plan in the second half versus the Saints, a disappearing act we saw too many times in the John Harbaugh era. Surely new head coach Jesse Minter and offensive coordinator Declan Doyle won’t make the same mistake twice. Right? Right?!?!

Ravens 28, Cowboys 20

Guest pick

Joseph Hoyt, Dallas Morning News: It doesn’t matter if it’s quarterbacks or running backs. Both have had success running against this Cowboys defense. It’s hard to find a better tandem in that regard than Lamar Jackson in Derrick Henry. It could be a shootout — unless the Ravens control the clock, convert on third downs and play keep-away.

Ravens 24, Cowboys 20