The Baltimore Ravens needed a last-second field goal to escape the Dallas Cowboys, but the 34-31 victory did more than improve their record. It kept Baltimore firmly in the crowded AFC North race after Week 3.
The Ravens improved to 2-1 after Tyler Loop drilled a 56-yard field goal as time expired in Brazil. Lamar Jackson and the offense made the final drive count, setting up Baltimore for the dramatic victory.
After Week 3, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Cincinnati were all 2-1. Week 4 has since begun, with Cleveland moving to 3-1 after beating Pittsburgh, while Baltimore remains 2-1 before its next game.
Baltimore survived a dramatic finish
Baltimore’s victory over Dallas came down to the final seconds after both teams traded big plays throughout the afternoon. The Cowboys had a chance to score a touchdown late, but Baltimore’s defense held them to a field goal.
That gave the Ravens one final possession with only seven seconds remaining. Jackson immediately found Zay Flowers for a 27-yard completion, moving Baltimore into position for Loop’s decisive kick.
Loop then converted from 56 yards as time expired, giving Baltimore its second victory of the season. The win was especially important because a loss would have left the Ravens chasing three division rivals with winning records.
Ravens now sit at two wins
Baltimore entered Week 3 with a 1-1 record after splitting its opening two games. The victory in Brazil moved the Ravens to 2-1 and prevented them from falling behind in an increasingly tight division race.
The Ravens’ offense continued to show its ability to produce big plays. Jackson finished with 186 passing yards and two touchdowns while adding 50 rushing yards, and Derrick Henry ran for 89 yards and two scores.
Zay Flowers also played a central role in the finish, catching five passes for 84 yards and adding a 20-yard rush. His final catch helped put Baltimore in position for the field goal that ultimately decided the game.
Fun fact: Derrick Henry became the eighth player in NFL history to reach 12,000 career rushing yards in 2025.
Every AFC North team had two wins
The most notable part of the Week 3 standings was how tightly packed the division remained. Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Cleveland, and Cincinnati all entered Week 4 with identical 2-1 records.
Pittsburgh held the top spot at that point because it had already secured a divisional victory over Cincinnati. The Steelers defeated the Bengals 30-27 in Week 3 after Chris Boswell kicked the go-ahead field goal and the defense forced a late turnover.
Cleveland also reached 2-1 after defeating Carolina 21-18, while Cincinnati suffered its first loss of the season against Pittsburgh. Since then, Cleveland has opened Week 4 by beating Pittsburgh and moving to 3-1.
Pittsburgh gained an early edge
The Steelers’ Week 3 win over Cincinnati gave them an early advantage within the division. Pittsburgh was the only AFC North team to play and win a divisional game through three weeks.
That victory could still become significant later in the season if the teams remain closely matched. Cincinnati entered Week 4 at 2-1 after taking its first defeat against Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh’s next divisional game came Thursday night at Cleveland. The Browns won 27-24 on Andre Szmyt’s 56-yard field goal, moving Cleveland to 3-1 and dropping Pittsburgh to 2-2.
Baltimore still has divisional games
The Ravens have not yet played an AFC North opponent this season. Their 2-1 record has come from games outside the division, meaning all six divisional matchups remain ahead of them.
That begins to change later in the schedule, but Baltimore’s early victories still matter because every win keeps the team close in the division. The Week 3 escape against Dallas prevented an early gap from growing.
Baltimore now returns home to face Tennessee on Oct. 4. The Titans enter that matchup at 0-3, giving the Ravens another opportunity to improve their overall record before their AFC North schedule becomes more significant.
Fun fact: The Ravens have won 2 Super Bowl championships, in 2000 and 2012.
Week 4 could change everything
The AFC North standings already look different after the start of Week 4. Cleveland beat Pittsburgh 27-24 on Thursday night, moving the Browns to 3-1 and dropping the Steelers to 2-2.
The Bengals will host Jacksonville on Sunday, while Baltimore welcomes Tennessee. Those results could create more separation among the four teams or keep the division race crowded early in the season.
For Baltimore, the immediate objective is simple: build on the momentum from the Dallas win. The Ravens have already shown they can survive a close game, but the next several weeks will reveal how that 2-1 record develops.
The division remains wide open
After three games, Baltimore’s latest victory had not created a clear division leader. Instead, it ensured that the Ravens remained part of a tightly packed AFC North race.
The Ravens’ offense has produced enough to keep them competitive, while the defense will need to improve after allowing Dallas to move the ball effectively throughout the game.
Cleveland has since moved to 3-1 by beating Pittsburgh, while Baltimore remains 2-1 before facing Tennessee. The Ravens’ win in Brazil still kept them close in a division with plenty left to settle.
TL;DR
- Baltimore improved to 2-1 after Tyler Loop’s 56-yard field goal defeated Dallas 34-31 in Brazil.
- The Ravens’ victory left all four AFC North teams tied at 2-1 after Week 3.
- Cleveland has since opened Week 4 by beating Pittsburgh 27-24 and moving to 3-1.
- Cincinnati remains 2-1 before hosting Jacksonville, while Baltimore remains 2-1 before facing Tennessee.
- Baltimore has yet to play an AFC North opponent and still has all six divisional games ahead.
Read More From This Brand:
- Baltimore defends decision after failed Maxx Crosby trade
- How Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry just gave the ultimate seal of approval to the new Baltimore Ravens gear
- Why league executives believe Lamar Jackson’s current absence sends a message to the Baltimore Ravens
This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
