Ravens Report Card: Defense has glaring issues

It's fair to say the Ravens shouldn't have beaten Dallas. Even Joe Flacco was unsure if the Ravens should've beaten Dallas.

"I don't know if we deserved to win it, but we did it," Flacco told NFL Network's Jeff Darlington immediately following Baltimore's 31-29 win over the Cowboys.

Talk about squeaking out a win with a lot of luck involved. Baltimore's defense had no answer for Dallas' offense. The Cowboys ran for 227 yards on the ground, the most the Ravens have ever given up in franchise history.

The Ravens only had three real drives in the second half -- not including a kickoff return touchdown and one play in the victory formation -- two of which ended in three-and-outs.

Yet the Ravens won and are 5-1 with a Houston team up next that suddenly doesn't look as intimidating as once believed. But regardless of Houston's performance in a loss Sunday night to the Packers, Baltimore will not be able to pull out another fortunate win if it doesn't fix what's become a problematic run defense.

Offense: B+

The Ravens did a good job getting Ray Rice his 37th game with at least 100 total yards. Rice ran for 63 yards and two touchdowns and also caught a pass that went for 43. Anquan Boldin had another big day with five receptions for 98 yards. Baltimore's offense had limited opportunities in the second half, though, thanks to beginning two drives on its own 8-yard line that resulted in three-and-outs and a kickoff return that was returned for a touchdown. Previous game's grade: C+

Defense: D

The only reason Baltimore's defense didn't receive an F is due to the interception Cary Williams made in the second quarter that led to a scoring drive. The Cowboys' offensive line blew the Ravens off the ball repeatedly. Blockers got to the second level and manhandled Ray Lewis and Jameel McClain. Haloti Ngata picked up a sack but Paul Kruger, Courtney Upshaw and Albert McClellan were rarely making plays when DeMarco Murray or Felix Jones rushed the ball. It ranks as one of the worst defensive showings in franchise history. Ngata dubbed the performance "disgusting." Yet somehow, Baltimore still won. Previous game's grade: B

Special teams: A-

Special teams would've received a perfect A if it wasn't for Brendon Ayanbadejo mishandling the onside kick that resulted in Dallas having one last crack at winning the game. But after a Dallas field goal early in the third quarter cut Baltimore's lead to 17-13, Jacoby Jones tied an NFL record with a 108-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. The play was set up beautifully with blocks from Corey Graham, Sean Considine and Anthony Allen that sprung Jones to go the distance. Rookie K Justin Tucker also made his only attempt of the game, a 38-yarder. P Sam Koch continued his specatcular season with a long of 52. Previous game's grade: B+

Coaching: B

You almost have to feel sorry for DC Dean Pees at this point. Not only was his personnel average to begin with, but he'll now have to continue the season without CB Lardarius Webb (ACL tear), and perhaps without LB Ray Lewis (triceps). Still, Pees' scheme did enough to force three field goals that Cowboys K Dan Bailey made instead of surrendering touchdowns. On offense, OC Cam Cameron called another solid game, dictating certain tempos and balancing out the stat sheet. At the end of the game, coach John Harbaugh's instincts worked in his favor as he decided not to call a timeout prior to Bailey's missed 51-yard attempt. Just imagine the fallout if Harbaugh calls the timeout and Bailey connects on a second try. Previous game's grade: B

Follow Ravens reporter Jason Butt on Twitter @CBSRavens and @JasonButtCBS.