Ravens vs Cowboys | NFL Preseason Week 2 – August 16, 2025
The 2025 NFL preseason continues with one of the most intriguing matchups of Week 2 as the Baltimore Ravens travel to face the Dallas Cowboys. The game is set for Saturday, August 16, 2025, with kickoff at 6:00 PM ET from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Fans can catch every snap live on FuboTV and and Ticketsmaster.
While the scoreboard doesn’t carry the weight of the regular season, preseason matchups like this one are essential for shaping rosters, testing strategies, and building team chemistry before Week 1. The Ravens and Cowboys both boast talented rosters and championship aspirations, making this a valuable test for players and coaches alike.
Game Information
- Matchup: Baltimore Ravens vs. Dallas Cowboys
- Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025
- Time: 6:00 PM ET
- Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
- TV Broadcast & Streaming: FuboTV (Live Stream)
Baltimore Ravens – Preseason Overview
The Ravens head into Week 2 of the preseason with plenty of reasons to be optimistic. Under head coach John Harbaugh, Baltimore has been one of the league’s most consistent franchises, thanks to their physical style of play and strong player development.
In their first preseason outing, the Ravens displayed a solid defensive performance, forcing turnovers and limiting explosive plays. Offensively, they rotated multiple quarterbacks to assess depth and experimented with different offensive packages. This week, expect Harbaugh to give starters slightly more reps before turning things over to younger players.
Key areas of focus for the Ravens:
- Backup Quarterback Evaluation: Ensuring a reliable option behind Lamar Jackson.
- Wide Receiver Depth: Sorting out the pecking order behind the top pass catchers.
- Defensive Communication: Continuing to develop chemistry in the secondary.
Dallas Cowboys – Preseason Overview
The Cowboys are entering the 2025 season with high expectations and a roster filled with star talent. Head coach Mike McCarthy is balancing the need to keep his starters healthy with the importance of evaluating depth across the roster.
In their preseason opener, Dallas saw promising performances from younger defensive players, particularly in the secondary. On offense, they spread snaps across multiple quarterbacks and focused heavily on the run game to test offensive line depth.
Key areas of focus for the Cowboys:
- Offensive Line Rotations: Finding reliable backups for multiple positions.
- Defensive Front Depth: Identifying pass rushers to support Micah Parsons.
- Special Teams Consistency: Improving kick and punt return coverage.
What to Expect in the Game
Likely game flow:
- First Quarter: Starters on both sides will likely see limited action, possibly one to two drives.
- Second & Third Quarters: Extended looks for backup quarterbacks, young receivers, and defensive depth players.
- Fourth Quarter: Primarily fringe roster players and rookies trying to make a final impression.
Matchup Breakdown
Offense
The Ravens will likely lean on their running game early, mixing in quick passing plays to test Dallas’ coverage. Backup quarterbacks will get opportunities to push the ball downfield against the Cowboys’ reserve defenders.
The Cowboys’ offense may rely on quick throws, play-action, and multiple formations to keep Baltimore’s defense guessing. Expect Dallas to test the Ravens’ defensive speed with outside runs and screen passes.
Defense
Baltimore’s defensive front will look to pressure Dallas quarterbacks and force mistakes. Their secondary will be tested against the Cowboys’ wide receiver group, even in limited starter matchups.
Dallas’ defense thrives on speed and aggression. They’ll bring pressure from multiple angles, using Micah Parsons sparingly but relying on younger linebackers and defensive backs to make plays.
Players to Watch
Baltimore Ravens:
- Tyler Huntley (QB): Competing to lock up the backup QB role.
- Justice Hill (RB): Speedy back who could see extended preseason work.
- Kyle Hamilton (S): A versatile defender, even in limited snaps, can change the tone of the game.
Dallas Cowboys:
- Cooper Rush (QB): Reliable backup aiming to stay sharp.
- Deuce Vaughn (RB): Electric playmaker fighting for more touches.
- Sam Williams (DE): Young pass rusher with a chance to shine.
Coaching Strategies
John Harbaugh will focus on situational football—third-down efficiency, red-zone execution, and minimizing penalties. Expect creative blitz looks on defense to test Dallas’ offensive line depth.
Mike McCarthy will likely emphasize tempo on offense while keeping the playbook simple. On defense, expect Dallas to rotate heavily to identify the most effective pass rush combinations.
Prediction
Preseason games are hard to predict due to heavy rotations, but both teams have quality depth. The Cowboys’ home-field advantage and defensive playmakers could give them the edge late in the game.
Projected Outcome: Cowboys 20 – Ravens 17
The Ravens vs. Cowboys Week 2 preseason matchup is a perfect blend of star power, depth evaluation, and competitive football. While the starters won’t see extensive action, the game will be critical for players battling for roster spots and coaches fine-tuning their strategies for the regular season.
With kickoff set for 6:00 PM ET on August 16, 2025, and live coverage available on FuboTV, fans can expect a competitive and entertaining preseason contest from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Both the Ravens and Cowboys will walk away with valuable insights that could shape their 2025 campaigns.
