Russell Wilson didn’t lack confidence when making his pick. Asked about the Dallas Cowboys’ trip to Rio de Janeiro on CBS’ “The NFL Today” on Sunday, the Super Bowl-winning quarterback went all in on Dak Prescott against a Baltimore Ravens defense that leaves soft spots in zone coverage.
“I think Dak Prescott’s about to go crazy on them,” Wilson said on the pregame show. He opened by asking whether it was raining in Brazil, which was a fair question. The forecast at Maracanã Stadium called for heavy humidity and possible rain.
Wilson likes the Cowboys’ weapons in Rio
Jerome Miron - Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
Wilson’s confidence starts with last week. Prescott completed 26 of 31 passes for 279 yards and four touchdowns in a win over the Washington Commanders, throwing two apiece to CeeDee Lamb and Jake Ferguson. That gives him six touchdown passes this season, tied for the most in the NFL. Wilson briefly said three touchdowns before correcting himself on air. “Four touchdowns, I think, actually,” he said.
He didn’t stop at the quarterback, either. “Dak Prescott going to throw the ball to George Pickens,” Wilson said. “They’re gonna run fast on that grass, and CeeDee Lamb gonna go crazy on them.” That pairing is exactly the problem for Baltimore. The Ravens play zone on roughly 77% of their snaps, and safeties Malaki Starks and Jaylinn Hawkins have been uneven early. Covering Lamb and Pickens at the same time will test all of it.
Wilson knows the view from the other side of these games. He finished a 14-year career as one of the league’s most productive passers before retiring from the NFL to join CBS this year. He even expects Dallas to have backing in the stands. “I think the Cowboys gonna have their fans there as well,” he said.
Both teams are 1-1 heading into the 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff, and the Ravens will lean on Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry to control the clock. With Cobie Durant, Malik Hooker and P.J. Locke all out on defense, and second-year cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. stepping in, Dallas may need Prescott to deliver exactly what Wilson predicted.
