The NFL International Series has officially arrived in South America, with the Baltimore Ravens and the Dallas Cowboys squaring off at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro for a high-stakes Week 3 regular-season matchup, according to reporting from Yahoo Sports.
Both teams entered the international showcase holding identical 1-1 records. The Ravens arrived in Brazil looking to rebound from a 24-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints, while the Cowboys crossed the equator with momentum following a 37-20 victory over the Washington Commanders, where quarterback Dak Prescott threw for 279 yards and four touchdowns, as detailed by Yahoo Sports.
Roster Adjustments and Key Inactives in Brazil
Both squads faced roster complications leading up to the historic kickoff. The Baltimore Ravens received a major boost with top wide receiver Zay Flowers and defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike both active for the contest. Flowers missed the previous week due to a hamstring injury, while Madubuike returned to anchor a defensive front alongside Travis Jones and Calais Campbell under Head Coach Jesse Minter.
However, Baltimore played without veteran left tackle Ronnie Stanley, who was unable to practice due to a toe injury, forcing second-year offensive tackle Carson Vinson into his first career start. Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys faced severe defensive setbacks, listing key contributors including linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, safeties P.J. Locke and Malik Hooker, and cornerback Cobie Durant as inactive, according to pre-game reports from the New York Post.
Strategic Outlook and Ground Game Stakes
The matchup features a clash between the Ravens’ punishing rushing attack and the Cowboys’ precise aerial game led by Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and George Pickens. Entering Week 3, Baltimore boasted a league-leading rush DVOA, while Dallas struggled to contain opposing ball carriers, surrendering significant yardage in their opening contests, as noted by the New York Post.
As the action unfolded at Maracanã Stadium—marked by the Dallas Cowboys official big-play tracker—the international audience witnessed how both coaching staffs adapted to the unique environmental and logistical demands of playing regular-season football in Brazil.