A missed 52-yard field goal by Dallas kicker Dan Bailey allowed the Ravens to escape with a less-than-pretty victory over the Cowboys on Sunday. (US Presswire)

Inside the Ravens' locker room following their 31-29 win over Dallas on Sunday, it didn't seem like they had just pulled out a tough game against a hungry Cowboys team.

S Bernard Pollard was visibly angry about giving up 227 rushing yards to Dallas. DT Haloti Ngata called the defensive line's performance "disgusting" after allowing Cowboys running backs DeMarco Murray and Felix Jones to run for more than 90 yards each.

Dallas (2-3) did just about anything it wanted offensively. And after the Cowboys failed to convert a two-point conversion to tie the game in the fourth quarter, they came up with an onside kick that gave them one last chance.

The Ravens (5-1) had every opportunity to lose, but they didn't. They'll take the win. But they all seemed to know that to make another run this postseason, they'll have to play much better than they did on Sunday.

"Was it perfect? Was it pretty? No, and I'm sure that's all stuff that will get written about, and it's all fine," coach John Harbaugh said. "But a victory is still a victory."

When the game turned: It looked like Dallas' comeback was going to fall short after Dez Bryant dropped what would have been a game-tying two-point conversion after catching his second touchdown of the game. But then Dallas was given new life when they recovered an onside kick. It was an evenly fought game, with Baltimore being the beneficiary of a missed 52-yard field goal attempt from Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey.

Highlight moments: The Ravens Jacoby Jones tied an NFL record with a 108-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. It started with a lead block from CB Corey Graham and was aided by blocks from S Sean Considine and RB Anthony Allen. Jones found the crease and went the distance. ... Both of Bryant's touchdowns came on back-shoulder fades, showing why the second-year receiver has a ton of potential in the NFL. Both times he was in good position on Ravens CB Cary Williams, hauling in the pass ... On Cowboys QB Tony Romo's lone interception of the day, he faced a blitz from LB Dannell Ellerbe that forced him into a bad decision. Romo's pass lofted toward Williams, who recorded his third interception in the past three weeks.

Top-shelf performances:

  • Ravens RB Ray Rice -- 16 carries, 62 yards, two touchdowns; one reception, 43 yards.

     
  • Ravens WR Anquan Boldin -- Five receptions, 98 yards.

     
  • Ravens WR Jacoby Jones -- Five touches, 174 total yards (159 return, 15 receiving).

     
  • Cowboys WR Dez Bryant -- 13 receptions, 95 yards, two touchdowns.

     
  • Cowboys RB DeMarco Murray -- 14 carries, 93 yards.

     
  • Cowboys RB Felix Jones -- 18 carries, 92 yards, one touchdown.

What they said about K Dan Bailey's missed 52-yard attempt that would've won the game for Dallas:

  • Cowboys K Dan Bailey -- "It's obviously not a good feeling. Everybody worked their butts off today. And it came down to a kick, and it didn't go in. I don't know what else to say, other than it hurts and I'm going to do my best and go out there and make the next one."

     
  • Ravens RB Ray Rice -- “Thank you, Jesus. He may have pushed that thing a little to the left. We've been on the other end of that, obviously, so we know what that feels like."

     
  • Cowboys coach Jason Garrett -- “(The wind) was swirling. We felt like the wind was going to be behind (Bailey) in that situation. It was hard for me to get the angle. I'm sure there were some better views than the one I had."

     
  • Ravens coach John Harbaugh -- "They threw a lot of haymakers at us and our guys stepped up at the end and found a way to win."

Numbers you should know: The Cowboys ran for 227 rushing yards, which is the most the Ravens have given up on the ground in franchise history. ... Joe Flacco posted a QB rating of 106.9, going 17 of 26 for 234 yards and a touchdown. The Ravens are 31-3 when Flacco produces at least a 95 QB rating.

Injury update: For the Ravens, CB Lardarius Webb could be out for the season if the believed diagnosis of a torn ACL is accurate. LB Ray Lewis has a right triceps injury and did not finish the fourth quarter. DT Haloti Ngata sprained his knee but finished the game. NT Ma'ake Kemoeatu sustained a minor knee injury and CB Jimmy Smith had a minor leg tweak.

For the Cowboys, RB DeMarco Murray left the game with a foot injury late in the second quarter and did not return. DT Sean Lissemore suffered an ankle injury. CB Morris Claiborne had a knee injury late in the first half but was able to return to the game.

Going forward: The Ravens can consider themselves lucky to snag a win against Dallas. After getting gashed on the ground the past two weeks, Baltimore now has to face arguably the best running attack in the NFL against the Texans. Being 5-1 puts Baltimore in a good spot, though, as a loss won't hurt it considerably.

The Cowboys, now 2-3, are finding themselves in must-win territory. Up next is a trip to Carolina, which had a bye this week. Following its game with Carolina, Dallas will have its second meeting with the New York Giants.

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