Jackson vs Prescott in NFL's First Rio de Janeiro Game — SkimNews
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- The NFL plays its first-ever game in Rio de Janeiro — and just its third in Brazil — when the 1-1 Ravens meet the 1-1 Cowboys at Maracanã Stadium on Sunday.
- Dak Prescott's Cowboys bounced back from a Week 1 loss with a 37-20 rout of Washington in which Prescott threw four touchdowns to pass Tony Romo for the most passing touchdowns in Cowboys history.
- Derrick Henry ranks second in the NFL with 212 rushing yards through two weeks and draws a Cowboys defense allowing a league-high 6.1 yards per play.
- Maracanã Stadium field conditions are under scrutiny after Flamengo players complained about the surface, echoing gripes after the 2024 Eagles-Packers game in São Paulo; NFL field director Nick Pappas said the league is "in a good spot."
- Dallas has already ruled out CB Cobie Durant, safeties Malik Hooker and P.J. Locke, and LB DeMarvion Overshown, while Ravens WR Zay Flowers (hamstring) and LT Ronnie Stanley (toe) are game-time decisions.
- Kickoff is 4:25 p.m. ET on CBS/Paramount+, with DraftKings listing the Ravens as 3.5-point favorites and the total at 52.5; the prediction is Ravens 31, Cowboys 30, OVER 52.5.
Why it matters: Dallas's injury-depleted defense — already without two safeties, a corner, and a linebacker — must contain Derrick Henry (212 rushing yards, second in the NFL) while giving up a league-high 6.1 yards per play. If the Cowboys can't slow the run early, the model projects a Ravens win in a 31-30 shootout that clears the 52.5-point total.
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