As the Dallas Cowboys gear up for a pivotal Week 3 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, head coach Mike McCarthy addressed the media on Wednesday. While it may seem premature to label any game a “must-win” this early in the season, it’s clear the Ravens have a legitimate chance to keep the Cowboys at bay.
Dallas’ defense was thoroughly outclassed in their disappointing 44-19 loss to the New Orleans Saints. With their confidence shaken, they now face the significantly tougher challenge of going up against quarterback Lamar Jackson, the reigning NFL MVP. Teams starting the season 0-3 historically haven’t fared well, and the Ravens, still seeking their first win, need to be fully prepared for this critical contest.
However, it seems the Cowboys are also making serious preparations. McCarthy revealed that Dallas has a “secret weapon” to help them get ready for Jackson.
Cue the drum roll: the Cowboys’ “secret weapon” is none other than Trey Lance, who will simulate Jackson’s dynamic play in practice.
McCarthy is banking on Lance’s mobility to prepare the Cowboys’ defense for what lies ahead on Sunday.
Yes, the player tasked with mimicking Jackson is Trey Lance, the same quarterback who threw five interceptions in his preseason finale. While McCarthy doesn’t expect Lance to mirror Jackson perfectly, he hopes Lance can at least replicate some of his movements and style.
Lance is undoubtedly dynamic. According to the Dallas Cowboys, the head coach stated, “We feel really good about what Trey [Lance] can give us as far as running those scout team reps, and Cooper [Rush] will handle some of the other things too.” He added, “Lamar is an extremely talented player.”
Regarding the challenge of facing Lamar Jackson, McCarthy said:
“He is dynamic, that is for sure. Trey [Lance] can run those scout team reps, and we feel very good about what he can offer. Cooper [Rush] will take care of some other stuff. Lamar is an extremely dynamic athlete.”
While Lance may offer a glimpse of Jackson’s physical abilities, the reality is starkly different. It’s impossible to fully replicate Jackson’s level of unpredictability, decision-making, and field awareness—he is, after all, one of the greatest dual-threat quarterbacks in NFL history. Comparing Lance to Jackson is like preparing for the PGA Tour after a good round of mini-golf.
Lance has rushed 54 times for 235 yards in his career. By contrast, in just two games this season, Lamar Jackson has already amassed 167 rushing yards. Jackson averages 8.0 yards per carry, while Lance manages only 4.4. The numbers clearly show that this comparison falls short.
It almost feels insulting to mention Lance and Jackson in the same breath. One has won two MVP awards, and while McCarthy’s comments aren’t a direct shot at Jackson, he’s certainly overestimating Lance’s ability to emulate one of the most unique quarterbacks in NFL history.
By all means, use Trey Lance to prepare for Lamar Jackson, but don’t be surprised if it doesn’t work. We’ll see on Sunday just how well this plan holds up.
