The story of the night belonged to two unlikely heroes: quarterback Cooper Rush, making his return to Dallas in purple, and rookie kicker Tyler Loop, whose golden foot sent shockwaves through the stadium. Rush, once Dak Prescott’s trusted backup and now leading the Ravens’ offense, delivered a poised performance with a 1-yard touchdown toss to Keith Kirkwood and nearly 200 yards passing—despite also surrendering a pick-six to Cowboys cornerback Andrew Booth that momentarily jolted Dallas to life. But the night truly belonged to Loop, who—playing just miles from his hometown—calmly drilled five field goals, including bombs from 53 and 52 yards, cementing his status as Baltimore’s kicker for the regular season. As John Harbaugh declared postgame, “He’s earned it.”
Yet, this preseason clash was more than a story of individuals—it was a showcase of the Ravens’ depth and determination. Keyon Martin opened the scoring in dramatic fashion, blasting through unblocked to sack Cowboys rookie Joe Milton in the end zone for a safety, setting an early tone of aggression. On the other side, Milton struggled to find his rhythm under relentless pressure, but found a spark with a 49-yard strike to Jonathan Mingo, the lone offensive highlight for a Cowboys squad otherwise stymied all night. Mingo’s night was cut short by a knee injury, adding another layer of uncertainty to Dallas’ preseason storyline.
The Ravens’ dominance was reflected in every phase: they outgained Dallas by more than 220 yards, controlled the clock for over 40 minutes, and racked up four sacks and two takeaways. Reuben Lowery’s leaping end-zone interception right before halftime was a dagger, flipping momentum and leading to a crucial field goal. Devontez Walker, continuing his strong camp, led all receivers with 61 yards and made his case for a bigger role in a crowded Baltimore receiving corps. Meanwhile, undrafted linebacker Jay Higgins IV forced a late fumble to snuff out any Cowboys hope, highlighting Baltimore’s knack for unearthing hidden gems.
For Dallas, the preseason remains a proving ground. First-round pick Tyler Booker looked strong in his debut, giving the offensive line a glimmer of hope, while veteran linebacker Damone Clark flew sideline to sideline, igniting the defense in flashes. But as head coach Brian Schottenheimer stated, “We’re not pushing the panic button—we’re pushing the work button.”
The night’s emotional core belonged to Cooper Rush. Facing old friends and familiar turf, he shrugged off the revenge narrative, but the subtext was unmistakable: a former Cowboy, now a Raven, orchestrating a win in front of the Dallas faithful. In a preseason that’s as much about stories as scores, Rush’s homecoming, Loop’s emergence, and the Ravens’ ruthless efficiency turned this August game into an unforgettable chapter.
The Ravens now look ahead to a final preseason test against the Commanders, while the Cowboys regroup and prepare to host Atlanta, searching for answers and identity as the regular season looms. For now, Baltimore basks in the glow of a perfect preseason, their rookies shining like stars, and their veterans reminding everyone why the Ravens are always a threat when the games start to count.
For those craving more action and key moments, relive the drama with the official Ravens vs. Cowboys highlights | Preseason Week 2, or dive into the full breakdown at Ravens Rout Cowboys in Second Preseason Win.