NFL Returns to Brazil as Ravens Face Cowboys
The league's international series continues with a matchup in Rio de Janeiro, raising some concerns about field conditions.
The National Football League returns to Brazil for the third consecutive year, with the Baltimore Ravens set to play the Dallas Cowboys in Rio de Janeiro on Sept. 27. This marks the first NFL game to be held in Rio, following previous games in São Paulo.
Despite the excitement, the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) has voiced concerns regarding the condition of the field at Maracanã Stadium. Reports indicate issues with loose, patchy grass that were being addressed shortly before the game in an effort to enhance safety and resistance.
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson commented on the field conditions, stating that while he is aware of the situation, his focus remains on the game. "I believe the NFL does a great job at having their specialists go out there and look over the fields," Jackson said. "I cannot worry about that. I just have to worry about getting us a dub in Brazil. [As for] the field, we have played on bad fields plenty of times, so I cannot really dwell on that."
Both the Ravens and Cowboys enter the matchup with identical 1-1 records in the early part of the regular season. The Cowboys are looking to build momentum after a 37-20 victory over the Washington Commanders in Week 2, a rebound from their season-opening loss to the New York Giants. Their offense, led by Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, showed strong performance.
Conversely, the Ravens are aiming to recover from a narrow 24-17 home loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 2. Baltimore will rely on their physical style of play, with Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry expected to lead the ground game and control field position.
The game is scheduled to kick off at 4:25 p.m. ET. Fans can watch the game live on CBS. For those without cable, the game can be streamed for free via a five-day trial of DIRECTV's MySports genre pack, which includes FOX and offers a $20 monthly discount for the first six months.
This game is part of the broader 2026 NFL International Series, which includes matchups in London, Paris, Madrid, Munich, and Mexico City throughout the season.