The Baltimore Ravens will need Rashod Bateman again on Sunday. He’s the team’s WR2, so of course they’ll want him to show up every week, but their electrifying WR1, Zay Flowers, is uncertain for Week 3—he was listed as questionable Friday with the same hamstring injury that kept him out last week.
Whether Flowers plays or not, Bateman could very well be thrust into that top role at wideout. Hamstring injuries are tricky, and Flowers only logged one limited practice participation, and that was during a walkthrough. Pair that with concerning field conditions, and Bateman will likely be the lead target for Lamar Jackson for a second straight week.
In Week 2, Bateman thrived in that role. He put up 7 receptions, 88 yards, and 1 touchdown. That was his best single-game total since 2024. Can he replicate that success against the Dallas Cowboys?
Baltimore Ravens need Rashod Bateman to step up once again in Week 3
Rashod Bateman has the talent to be a big-play threat in Declan Doyle’s offense. He’s an ultra-precise route runner with razor-sharp cuts, and has the speed to beat defenses deep and turn upfield after the catch.
For an offense that craves explosive plays like Doyle’s, that’s the perfect wide receiver that you want starting on your team.
The issue is: Bateman has always struggled with consistency. One week he can catch lightning in a bottle and look unstoppable. The following week, though? He’ll be as quiet as a mouse.
We saw those troubles eat him up last year, when he finished with only 19 receptions, 224 yards, and 2 touchdowns. It looked like they were going to be a constant trend in Week 1 this year, too, when he failed to tally a single reception.
However, Sunday’s matchup against the Cowboys will be a perfect opportunity for Bateman to start stacking weeks. He has one big game under his belt now; let’s make it two.
Dallas's defense thus far has had a deadly duo for disaster (and success for an offense like Baltimore’s). Christian Parker’s unit is tied for third-worst in the NFL with 2 sacks, and their secondary play, especially on the boundary, has been highly questionable. That’ll give Bateman plenty of time to create wide-open windows for Lamar Jackson to zip the ball into.
In 2025, the Cowboys’ defense also allowed the most passing yards in the league, along with 58 20+ yard plays and 14 40+ yard plays.
It’s clear there are major problems that have yet to be fixed. Expect Bateman to take full advantage of that.
The battle versus the Cowboys secondary looks even more favorable when you look at their injury report. Cornerback Cobie Durant and safety Malik Hooker are both out on Sunday. That’s one of their starting boundary corners and their centerfield safety. Three words: Let Bateman loose.
The Ravens just have to look Bateman’s way early and often. They’re facing an extremely high-powered passing attack led by Dak Prescott. Sure, Baltimore’s defense might be up to the challenge, but if it becomes a shootout, Bateman must be a priority.
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