Cowboys vs. Ravens Set for First NFL Game in Rio — SkimNews
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- Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens meet Sunday at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+), marking the NFL's first-ever game in Rio and third overall in Brazil.
- Both teams enter at 1-1: the Cowboys bounced back from a Week 1 loss with a 37-20 win over Washington, where Dak Prescott threw four touchdowns and passed Tony Romo for most passing touchdowns in franchise history.
- Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry (212 rushing yards, second in NFL) face a Cowboys defense allowing a league-high 6.1 yards per play, while CeeDee Lamb (13 catches, 197 yards, three TDs) headlines Prescott's passing attack.
- Injuries loom large: Dallas has ruled out four defensive starters including cornerback Cobie Durant and safeties Malik Hooker and P.J. Locke; Ravens WR Zay Flowers (hamstring) and LT Ronnie Stanley (toe) are questionable, while DT Nnamdi Madubuike (neck) could return after over a year out.
- Field conditions at Maracanã are under scrutiny after Flamengo player complaints and last year's Eagles-Packers game in São Paulo; NFL field director Nick Pappas said the league is "in a good spot" to play Sunday.
- DraftKings lists Baltimore as a 3.5-point favorite with an over/under of 52.5; the pick is Ravens 31, Cowboys 30 (over), with the prediction hinging on Baltimore recommitting to Henry after just five second-half carries in their Week 2 loss.
Why it matters: Beyond the international showcase, both 1-1 teams need a win to stay above water in their divisions: Henry's 212 yards (2nd in NFL) faces a Cowboys defense allowing a league-high 6.1 yards per play, while Lamb (13 catches, three TDs) tests a Ravens secondary adjusting under new coordinator Jesse Minter. DraftKings has Baltimore as a 3.5-point favorite with a 52.5 total.
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