By Cowboys Insider | PML Coverage
Baltimore, MD — A Painful Beginning, but a Promising Glimpse
The Dallas Cowboys’ 2026 preseason opener wasn’t the result anyone wanted — a 34-7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens — but for Head Coach Cody Hirsch, the night was about more than the scoreboard.
It was about evaluation, identity, and endurance.
Dallas entered M&T Bank Stadium eager to see its young talent in action, but eight injuries and a lack of rhythm on both sides of the ball turned the contest into a war of attrition. Still, beneath the adversity, Hirsch found positives in effort, execution, and a few breakout performances.
“You never want to lose that many bodies this early,” Hirsch said postgame, “but I loved how we competed. Guys fought through it, even when the roster got thin. That’s the mentality we’re building here.”
Quarterback Breakdown: Milton Efficient, Prescott Recalibrating
With both quarterbacks sharing drives, Joe Milton III opened his 2026 campaign showing flashes of his trademark arm strength and confidence. The second-year QB completed 6 of 9 passes for 64 yards (87.2 rating), moving the ball efficiently before drives stalled in plus territory.
Dak Prescott, who followed in rotation, went 15 of 21 for 136 yards, but a second-quarter interception in traffic halted one of Dallas’ best scoring chances of the night. Neither passer threw a touchdown, though Milton’s decisiveness and pocket composure earned praise from the staff.
Passing Summary:
- Joe Milton III – 6/9, 64 YDS, 0 TD, 0 INT (87.2 QBR)
- Dak Prescott – 15/21, 136 YDS, 0 TD, 1 INT (68.7 QBR)
“Joe looked sharp,” Hirsch said. “He’s growing into a command presence. Dak took a tough hit and kept battling — that’s leadership.”
Ground Game Grit: Luepke Pounds Ahead
The highlight of the night came from a surprising source: fullback Hunter Luepke, who looked like a throwback to 1990s Cowboys football.
Luepke rushed five times for 54 yards (10.8 avg), including a 22-yard bruising run through multiple defenders that drew roars from the sideline. His vision and toughness set the tone for Dallas’ offensive style under Hirsch — physical, downhill, and unrelenting.
Behind him, Larry Rountree III chipped in 33 yards on nine carries, while Phil Mafah found the end zone on a short touchdown run — the lone score of the game for Dallas.
Rushing Summary:
- Hunter Luepke – 5 ATT, 54 YDS (10.8 AVG), Long 22
- Larry Rountree III – 9 ATT, 33 YDS
- Phil Mafah – 10 ATT, 18 YDS, 1 TD
- Joe Milton III – 2 ATT, 14 YDS
“Luepke’s a tone-setter,” Hirsch said. “You need those guys who bring an edge every snap. He ran angry — that’s Cowboys football.”
Air Attack: Mingo Leads, Boston Debuts Strong
With CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens sitting out, Dallas turned to its young receivers — and Jonathan Mingo and rookie Denzel Boston answered.
Mingo hauled in five catches for 79 yards, showing toughness after the catch and strong chemistry with both quarterbacks. Boston, the fourth-round pick out of Washington, looked polished and confident in his debut — grabbing five receptions for 54 yards and consistently working open underneath.
Receiving Summary:
- Jonathan Mingo – 5 REC, 79 YDS (15.8 AVG), Long 24
- Denzel Boston – 5 REC, 54 YDS, Long 16
- Larry Rountree III – 3 REC, 30 YDS
- Luke Schoonmaker – 1 REC, 20 YDS
“Mingo’s playing like a vet now,” Hirsch said. “And Boston — that kid just fits our culture. He’s quiet, but he competes every down.”
Offensive Struggles: Drives, Not Finishes
Dallas actually moved the ball with some consistency — finishing with 318 total yards — but four turnovers and red-zone miscues proved costly. The Cowboys held the ball for just over 24 minutes and converted only three third downs, failing to sustain momentum against Baltimore’s blitz packages.
Team Comparison:
| Category | Cowboys | Ravens |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 318 | 432 |
| Pass Yards | 200 | 281 |
| Rush Yards | 118 | 151 |
| Turnovers | 4 | 1 |
| Time of Possession | 24:17 | 35:43 |
Injury Wave Hits Hard
The toughest storyline of the night wasn’t the scoreboard — it was the injury list. Eight Cowboys left the game at various points, affecting every level of the roster. Hirsch and the medical staff spent much of the second half evaluating players on the sideline and adjusting rotations on the fly.
Though several injuries are expected to be minor, the sheer volume immediately reshapes Dallas’ short-term outlook for practice reps and preseason rotations.
“We’ll get the full report, but it’s part of the game,” Hirsch said. “Next man up — that’s been our mindset since camp started.”
Defensive Takeaways: Learning Through Adversity
Despite the lopsided score, the defensive front continued to show flashes of disruption. Donovan Ezeiruaku and Marshawn Kneeland consistently generated pressure, while rookie Matayo Uiagalelei rotated inside and flashed on stunts.
Still, explosive plays plagued the unit, and the lack of healthy bodies in the second half allowed Baltimore to pull away. The experience, Hirsch noted, will prove invaluable for younger defenders like Jeremiah Cooper, Patrick Payton, and Avion Terrell, who all saw extended snaps.
Bright Spots Amid the Grind
- Hunter Luepke’s resurgence reminded everyone why Dallas re-signed him this offseason.
- Jonathan Mingo and Denzel Boston both looked ready for meaningful regular-season snaps.
- Phil Mafah showed red-zone finishing ability behind a reshuffled offensive line.
- Joe Milton’s poise continues to grow — even in limited preseason reps, his leadership stood out.
Coach Hirsch’s Message: Resilience First
After the game, Hirsch gathered his battered roster in the locker room with a simple message: “This is how we get tougher.”
“You can’t control injuries or bad bounces,” he told reporters. “You control your response. And I like how our guys responded — no finger-pointing, no quit. That’s the DNA of this team.”
The Cowboys will now regroup and prepare for their second preseason matchup, hoping to get healthier while tightening up execution on both sides of the ball.
Final Score
Ravens 34, Cowboys 7
Notable Performers:
- QB Joe Milton III – 6/9, 64 YDS (87.2 rating)
- FB Hunter Luepke – 5 ATT, 54 YDS (10.8 AVG)
- WR Jonathan Mingo – 5 REC, 79 YDS
- WR Denzel Boston – 5 REC, 54 YDS
- RB Phil Mafah – 1 Rush TD
