The Dallas Cowboys’ preseason home opener on August 16, 2025, was a tough pill to swallow, as the Baltimore Ravens dominated a Joe Milton-led squad 31-13 at AT&T Stadium. With the offense sputtering and the team’s only touchdown coming from a pick-six by cornerback Andrew Booth Jr., the game exposed glaring weaknesses, particularly at quarterback, while highlighting bright spots in the linebacker corps. As reported by Star-Telegram, the loss sparked heated discussions on X, with fans dissecting position battles and roster decisions ahead of the final preseason game. With the Cowboys’ regular season looming, this analysis dives into five key takeaways from the game, exploring what went wrong, who stood out, and what’s at stake for Dallas in 2025.
1. Joe Milton’s Struggles Raise Backup QB Concerns
The Cowboys’ decision to move on from Cooper Rush and Trey Lance in the offseason, placing Joe Milton as Dak Prescott’s backup, is under scrutiny after a dismal performance against the Ravens. Milton, a 2024 sixth-round pick from Tennessee, completed 9 of 18 passes for 122 yards, with one interception and a safety, per Star-Telegram. His highlight—a 49-yard bomb to Jonathan Mingo—showed his arm strength, but his inability to sustain drives raised red flags. As @CowboysNation tweeted, “Milton’s got a cannon, but that INT and safety? Yikes. Is he ready to back up Dak?” His 50% completion rate and lack of offensive rhythm in two preseason games question his readiness, with @NFLTalk posting, “Cowboys banking on Milton as QB2 feels like a gamble gone wrong.”
The coaching staff, led by Brian Schottenheimer, now faces a dilemma. Will Grier, a veteran with limited game experience, could be a safer option, having shown composure in brief stints (4 TD passes in 2023 preseason, per NFL.com). The Cowboys’ lack of a reliable backup is a pressing issue, especially with Prescott’s injury history (missed 5 games in 2022). As @DallasFanatic noted, “Letting Rush and Lance go for Milton? Front office needs to rethink this one.” With one preseason game left, Milton’s performance will be critical to restoring confidence, or Dallas may need to explore free-agent options like Ryan Tannehill, per ESPN.
2. Linebacker Corps Offers a Silver Lining
While the offense faltered, the Cowboys’ linebacker unit provided optimism. After two seasons of inconsistent play, new additions and improved performances signal a turnaround. Free agent Jack Sanborn, signed from the Bears, made an impact with three tackles, including a key stop in the run game, per Star-Telegram. Damone Clark, who lost his starting spot in 2024, showed marked improvement, leading the team with seven tackles and earning praise from Prescott for his training camp work. As @CowboysInsider tweeted, “Damone Clark looks like a new player—run defense is night and day from last year.”
Shemar James impressed in pass coverage, while Marist Liufau and Kenneth Murray drew excitement from defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus for their versatility. The return of DeMarvion Overshown, who missed 2024 with a knee injury, adds depth, with his 4.56-second 40-yard dash speed noted by NFL Combine. This revamped group could address Dallas’ 2024 run defense woes (ranked 16th, allowing 112.4 yards per game, per Pro Football Reference). As @NFLVibes posted, “Cowboys’ LBs went from weak link to legit strength—Eberflus has them cooking!”
3. Running Back Battle Remains Unresolved
The Cowboys’ offense held the ball for just 6 minutes and 15 seconds in the first half, limiting opportunities to evaluate the running back competition. Miles Sanders, a free-agent signing, saw minimal action, while Jaydon Blue missed both preseason games with an ankle injury, per Star-Telegram. Phil Mafah, a rookie, didn’t get significant reps until late, leaving the backup spot behind starter Javonte Williams unclear. As @CowboysFan tweeted, “RB2 spot is a mystery—Sanders, Blue, or Mafah? We need answers!”
The lack of clarity is concerning, given Dallas’ reliance on a strong run game to complement Prescott. Williams, acquired from Denver, averaged 4.2 yards per carry in 2024, but the depth chart remains unsettled, per ESPN. The final preseason game will be crucial for Sanders, who had 752 rushing yards with the Panthers in 2023, to prove he can handle a bigger role. As @NFLAnalysis noted, “Cowboys’ RB situation is a mess—last game better give us some clarity.”
4. James Houston’s Case for a Roster Spot
Edge rusher James Houston, a free-agent pickup during Micah Parsons’ hold-in, has made a strong case for the 53-man roster. Signed four weeks ago, Houston disrupted the Ravens’ offense with a critical quarterback hit on a third-down play, forcing a punt, per Star-Telegram. His pass-rush production in two preseason games—2 sacks and 5 pressures, per PFF—has turned heads. As @CowboysHype tweeted, “James Houston is earning that roster spot—guy’s a menace off the edge!”
With Dallas boasting elite pass rushers like Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, Houston’s path to the roster is tough, but his 8 sacks in 7 games with the Lions in 2022 show his potential, per NFL.com. The Cowboys’ history of integrating late additions (e.g., Dante Fowler’s 6 sacks in 2022) bodes well. As @NFLGuru posted, “Houston’s making it hard for Dallas to cut him—pass rush depth is a luxury.”
5. Slot Corner Battle Heats Up
The slot corner position remains the Cowboys’ only open starting role, with Kemon Hall and undrafted rookie Zion Childress emerging as frontrunners after Israel Mukuamu played mostly safety against the Ravens, per Star-Telegram. Hall’s interception on Saturday and Childress’ smooth coverage and run-game contributions have tightened the race. Mukuamu’s pick in the preseason opener keeps him in the mix, but his versatility may see him at safety, per Dallas Morning News. As @CowboysTalk tweeted, “Hall vs. Childress for slot CB? Gonna come down to the wire.”
The slot role is critical in Dallas’ defense, which faces pass-heavy offenses like the Eagles and 49ers. Childress, with a 4.45-second 40-yard dash, offers athleticism, while Hall’s experience (3 INTs in 2024 preseason, per PFF) gives him an edge. As @NFLFanatic noted, “Cowboys’ slot corner battle is spicy—Childress could be a steal as an undrafted rookie.” The final preseason game will likely decide the starter.
The Cowboys’ 31-13 preseason loss to the Ravens exposed critical weaknesses, particularly at backup quarterback, but also highlighted emerging strengths in the linebacker unit and pass rush. With one preseason game left, Joe Milton’s struggles, the unresolved running back battle, and the slot corner competition are pressing concerns, while James Houston’s emergence offers hope. Fans on X are buzzing, with @CowboysNation calling for answers: “Milton’s not it—can we fix this before Week 1?” As Dallas prepares for a pivotal 2025 season, these takeaways underscore the stakes. Will the Cowboys solidify their roster, or are more changes needed? Share your thoughts below and let’s keep the Dallas drama alive!