Cowboys Head To Rio
The Dallas Cowboys are preparing for a historic Week 3 matchup that will mark the franchise’s first-ever regular-season game in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Dallas is set to face the Baltimore Ravens at the iconic Maracanã Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 27, bringing the NFL to Rio for the first time.
The Cowboys arrived in Rio on Friday, Sept. 25, after traveling more than 5,200 miles from North Texas. The trip is part of the NFL’s continued international expansion and gives Dallas an opportunity to play in front of a growing Brazilian football audience.
The Cowboys Head To Rio
Dallas enters the matchup with a 1-1 record. The Cowboys opened the season with a loss to the New York Giants before bouncing back in Week 2 with a 37-20 victory over the Washington Commanders.
The win gave Dallas some momentum heading into its international trip. Quarterback Dak Prescott also made franchise history during the victory, passing Tony Romo for the most touchdown passes in Cowboys history.
Preparing For The Ravens
The Cowboys will face a Baltimore Ravens team led by quarterback Lamar Jackson. Jackson presents a major challenge because of his ability to make plays both as a passer and as a runner.
Dallas will be looking to continue its offensive production while limiting Baltimore’s ability to create big plays. The Ravens enter the matchup looking to respond after suffering a Week 2 loss to the New Orleans Saints.
A Different Game-Day Environment
Sunday’s matchup will be unlike a typical Cowboys home game at AT&T Stadium. The game will be played at Maracanã Stadium, one of the most recognizable sporting venues in the world and a stadium primarily associated with Brazilian soccer.
The Cowboys are technically the designated home team for the matchup, but the international setting means the team will be playing far from its usual home crowd in Arlington. Players and coaches have been adjusting to the travel, surroundings and different game-week routine.
Attention On The Maracanã Field
The condition of the Maracanã playing surface has also received attention ahead of the game. The stadium has hosted a busy schedule of soccer events, while rain has created additional concerns about the condition of the field.
NFL officials have been monitoring the playing surface and preparing it for Sunday’s matchup. Field conditions will be particularly important as players adjust to playing an NFL game inside a stadium that normally hosts soccer.
Growing The NFL In Brazil
The Rio matchup represents another major step in the NFL’s efforts to expand its presence in Brazil. The league previously hosted regular-season games in São Paulo, but this will be the first NFL game ever played in Rio de Janeiro.
Brazil has become one of the NFL’s largest international markets, giving the league an established audience for its games. Bringing the Cowboys and Ravens to Rio allows the NFL to introduce the sport to more fans while building on the interest generated by previous games in the country.
A Historic Cowboys Game
For Dallas, the trip is about more than simply playing an international game. The Cowboys are trying to improve to 2-1 while competing in one of the most unusual settings on their schedule.
When the Cowboys and Ravens take the field at Maracanã Stadium on Sunday, they will make history as the first NFL teams to play a regular-season game in Rio de Janeiro. For Dallas, a victory would also give the team an important early-season win to take home from a landmark international trip.
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