Ravens vs. Cowboys Grades By Position Group

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Aug 16, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys tight end Gavin Escobar (89) is tackled by Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker C.J. Mosley (57) and free safety Matt Elam (26) in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Defense: C-

We could easily go lower, but there were some bright spots for this unit last night and we can’t really knock a defense that was missing both of it’s starting corners too badly. The Ravens D was having a heck of a time containing DeMarco Murray and Dez Bryant even before Jimmy Smith exited the game, and it just got worse once Dominique Franks took over. Ravens fans better be hoping and praying that both Smith and Webb can sustain health for the regular season, because the D looks a lot worse without them.

Adding to the problem was the lack of pass rush last night from the defensive front seven. Outside of one sack, Tony Romo had a ton of time to go through his progressions with no bodies around him. We know that the Cowboys have a great offensive line, perhaps one of the best in the NFL, but the Ravens are supposed to have one of the best linebacker groups in the NFL and some excellent pass rushers. Last night they just couldn’t get it done.