3 Takeaways From Cowboys’ 34-31 Loss to Ravens

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3 Takeaways From Cowboys’ 34-31 Loss to Ravens

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Romell Williams | Last updated Sep 28, 2026 9:09 AM ET

The Dallas Cowboys had the Baltimore Ravens right where they wanted them.

After falling behind by 11 points in the third quarter, Dallas stormed back to take a 28-24 lead with less than two minutes remaining. After the Ravens drove down the field and take a 31-28 lead, Brandon Aubrey then drilled a 23-yard field goal with seven seconds left, seemingly sending the game to overtime.

Instead, Lamar Jackson and the Ravens needed just seven seconds to ruin the Cowboys’ night.

Jackson connected with Zay Flowers for a 27-yard completion, allowing Tyler Loop to nail a 56-yard field goal as time expired and give Baltimore a 34-31 victory Sunday in Rio de Janeiro.

Here are three takeaways from Dallas’ heartbreaking Week 3 loss.

1. The Cowboys finally found their rushing attack

After struggling to establish the run through the first two weeks, Dallas finally got production on the ground.

Javonte Williams provided a much-needed spark, rushing for 98 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. His 5.2 yards per carry represented a significant improvement from the Cowboys first two games.

That success helped Dallas keep Baltimore’s defense from simply keying on Dak Prescott and the passing game.

Prescott still had a strong performance, throwing for 276 yards and a touchdown while CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens combined for 194 receiving yards.

For an offense that struggled to consistently move the ball on the ground early in the season, Sunday offered an encouraging development.

2. The run defense remains a major problem

Unfortunately for Dallas, the offense wasn’t the biggest issue.

The Cowboys once again struggled to slow down an opposing rushing attack, and Baltimore took advantage.

The Ravens finished with 192 rushing yards, with Derrick Henry rushing for 89 yards and two touchdowns while Lamar Jackson added 50 yards.

Dallas repeatedly had trouble getting Baltimore off the field in critical situations. That became especially costly late in the fourth quarter, when the Ravens put together a touchdown drive after the Cowboys had taken the lead.

The defense also struggled with missed opportunities around the goal line. Baltimore had multiple short-yardage situations where Dallas made stop, but the Ravens ultimately found a way to finish the job when it mattered most.

3. Dallas couldn’t close the door

This is ultimately what will sting the most.

The Cowboys had multiple chances to win this game.

After KaVontae Turpin’s 9 yards per carry touchdown run gave Dallas a 28-24 lead, Baltimore answered with a touchdown pass from Jackson to Matthew Hibner with 1:34 remaining.

Prescott then calmly moved Dallas into position for Aubrey’s tying field goal.

With seven seconds left, overtime appeared inevitable.

It wasn’t.

Jackson’s 27-yard completion to Flowers immediately flipped the field, and Loop’s 56-yarder ended the game.

Dallas showed plenty of fight after trailing late, but the final sequence exposed the difference between playing a competitive game and finishing one.

The Cowboys leave Brazil at 1-2, with plenty of positives offensively but significant questions remaining on defense and in late-game execution.