Jackson back as Ravens run past, over Cowboys
Back in action after a 15day layoff, Lamar Jackson directed a relentless rushing attack that the Baltimore Ravens hope will be the first big step in a run to the playoffs.
Jackson ran for 94 yards and a touchdown, and the Ravens returned from a coronavirus outbreak to amass 294 yards rushing in a 3417 rout of the Cowboys in Baltimore on Tuesday night.
Playing for the first time since Nov. 22 following a positive test for the potentially deadly virus, Jackson carried 13 times and threw for two scores. He was one of 23 Ravens to spend time on the reserve/ COVID19 list while four different strains of the virus swept through the organization.
“I still can’t really taste or smell, but I’m good,” Jackson said. “I feel good to be back with my guys. It was like two weeks I ain’t seen them.”
The game was played Tuesday night because Baltimore’s previous game — against Pittsburgh lastWednesday — was pushed back three times while the Ravens had at least one player test positive for 10 consecutive days.
Gus Edwards ran for 101 yards on just seven carries and rookie J. K. Dobbins — who also spent time on the COVID19 list — added 71 yards rushing and a TD to help Baltimore ( 75) break a threegame skid and stay alive in its quest to reach the postseason for a third straight year.
Dallas came into the game with the worst rush defense in the league, and it showed. The Ravens averaged 7.9 yards per carry and won despite getting only 107 yards passing from Jackson.
The lastplace Cowboys ( 39) have lost six of seven. Andy Dalton went 31for48 for 285 yards and two TDs, and Ezekiel Elliott rushed for 77 yards.
Before the game, Baltimore receiver Dez Bryant was scratched against his old team after apparently testing positive for the virus. Later, he posted: “Yea I’m going to go ahead and call it a quit for the rest of the season… I can’t deal with this.”
Wentz on the bench: Jalen Hurts will start for the Eagles against the Saints on Sunday, sending CarsonWentz to the bench.
Philadelphia headcoach Doug Pederson made the announcement on the team’s website. “We’re not where we want to be as an offense,” he said.
Hurts replacedWentz in the third quarter of a 3016 loss to Green Bay on Sunday and completed 5 of 12 passes for 109 yards with one TD and one interception. He took three sacks.
Wentz has a careerlow 72.8 passer rating this season and 19 turnovers, including 15 interceptions, with inexperienced receivers and an injurydepleted offensive line.