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Would be great if both teams get there and just straight refuse to play. Now that would be fun.
Ravens Stuff...
- Thread starter Cotton
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Would be great if both teams get there and just straight refuse to play. Now that would be fun.
Genghis Khan
The worst version of myself
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Cujo
Don't be afraid, ever, because this is just a ride
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Simpleton
DCC 4Life
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It's fine, better against the run than the pass seemingly, which might be why the line is a bit lower. The Saints had some success passing on them and they don't have anywhere near the weapons we do.
If Flowers plays I bet the line moves up to at least 4, if he's out I could see it hovering around 3-3.5 given our offense.
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I mean they just lost to the Saints and are 1-1. Right now I'm not even sure who is good yet. Tyler Shough kind of tore them up like Durant got from Bell.
I thought the Texans was a scary matchup the week after. But they have been playing like shit. Their awesome defense gave up 36 to the Bills and couldn't do anything to stop them. You held the Bengals to 20 which is ok, but against that pathetic defense from last year you could only muster 6.
Basically it's the typical start to an NFL season. Just a lot of unknown still. Teams are still finding themselves.
Last edited:
Cujo
Don't be afraid, ever, because this is just a ride
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I think the Saints may be better than people think. They opened with Detroit and Baltimore on the road, and are one point from being 2-0.
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Could be that the Saints are really good. That's kind of my point. We just don't really know. But by that same logic the Lions are 1 point away from 0-2. So does that tell you something about the Lions? Anyway, the sample sizes are too small for now. But regardless I don't think we can handle Lamar Jackson. I'd love for Dallas to prove me wrong but I just don't see anyone on defense capable of even spying a dude with that kind of speed.
Cujo
Don't be afraid, ever, because this is just a ride
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He's just going to get hurt again.
Would've been easy money. I will double down: He will be RE injured before week 8.
Simpleton
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Unless Hooker can make it back our secondary is going to be decimated while they get Flowers back.
This is a guaranteed loss unless Prescott puts up another 4 TD's.
Stars
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That stadium screams “Beware of knives”
Simpleton
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Ravens-Cowboys in Brazil ‘full speed ahead’ despite field concerns, Stephen Jones says
By Jon Machota, Jeff Zrebiec and Jonathan Jones
Sept. 21, 2026 Updated 2:28 pm CDT
NFL field director Nick Pappas told The Athletic on Monday the league is working on converting the field at Maracanã Stadium into an NFL field and “at this time, no concerns.”
Concerns about the playing surface at the Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, stadium recently surfaced before the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens play there on Sunday.
“It’s a field that’s been actively used and that’s visible,” Pappas said. “But that’s no different than going to a grass field in the NFL In Week 3 that has some visible areas of use. We always want to present a product that looks like the Super Bowl and want to present a product that plays like the Super Bowl. That’s the goal and that’s what we’ll look to do this week.”
Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones addressed the issue on 105.3 The Fan on Monday.
“I don’t have concerns only because the league has said full speed ahead. … I think if there was a real concern, there would have already been contingent plans being made,” Jones said. “I know how the league works, about where we play the game if it weren’t there, and there’s none of that. So, I think we’re full speed ahead.
“Whatever work needs to be done on the field to make sure that it’s safe and great for our players, no one understands that more than the league, that we’ve got to have great surfaces and great playing fields that are very safe for our players. As far as I’m concerned, we’re full speed ahead and we’re ready to go to Rio.”
Following the Cowboys’ 37-20 win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday, team owner and general manager Jerry Jones said he was not up to date with the latest on the surface at Maracanã Stadium.
“We’ll look at that,” he added. “And I know that that’s of utmost concern to the league and the teams (that we) have good playing surface down there. We’ll, obviously, certainly stay informed as we look into it.”
Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said Sunday night that it had been discussed with their football operations team, led by vice president of football operations/football administration Todd Williams, and NFL officials.
“The league seems to feel like everything’s going to be fine,” Schottenheimer said. “And in reality, we were focused on this (game), but I have no concerns.”
Professional soccer players who have recently played in the stadium were critical of the grass field.
“It’s unbelievable that we’re playing on a field like this. Both penalty areas are bad as (expletive),” said Flamengo Football Club goalie Agustin Rossi, whose team plays at the stadium. “If you look at it, there are bumps everywhere. There’s still going to be an NFL game here during the international break. After that game, I hope the field is in better shape.”
Added Flamengo midfielder Giorgian De Arrascaeta: “The field keeps getting worse. It’s getting harder and harder to control the ball. We have to try to play quickly. If we want to be champions, we have to find a solution. With the team we have, we can’t be playing on a field like this.”
Schottenheimer said he was aware of some of their quotes.
“I trust that the league’s going to make the right decision,” he said, “and they’ll get the field up to standard.”
Later Monday, Ravens coach Jesse Minter was asked about the situation.
“It’s really in the league’s hands,” he said. “We’ve had contact with them. They have people there and feel really good about it.”
The Cowboys are scheduled to leave for Brazil late Thursday night and arrive Friday morning. The Ravens also depart Thursday and plan to practice there Friday.
Concerns about the quality of playing surfaces have been present at NFL stadiums for years, and none more recent than the Buffalo Bills having to rip out their grass just before their debut of the new Highmark Stadium. And so it’s not uncommon for there to be similar issues for international games where stadiums rarely host NFL games.
Nothing was worse than 2018, when the league wanted to play Kansas City Chiefs-Los Angeles Rams in Mexico City but had to move the game because of severe field conditions. Though that contest lives in international-series infamy for the NFL, it is famous to the public for being the 54-51 shootout at L.A. Coliseum.
In the league’s first-ever game in South America between the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers in 2024, both teams complained of poor field conditions at São Paulo’s Corinthians Arena. Those issues seemed to subside the next year when the Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers played at the same venue.
Though this will be the league’s third regular-season game in Brazil, it is the first foray into Rio. The city has hosted major sporting events for decades, including two World Cup finals and the 2016 Summer Olympics.
The NFL says there are 36 million NFL fans in Brazil, which makes it the second-largest international market, trailing only Mexico. It is no wonder the league, seeking to put a great product in front of such a large audience, tapped Lamar Jackson’s Ravens to play the most valuable sports team in the world.
The Cowboys have only played one other international game: a 2014 victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. The dozen-year layoff between international games is the longest in the league, though it is easy to explain.
Teams hosting the Cowboys are loath to give away the revenue generated from that game, so historically teams have protected those games from international hands. Recently, the league changed its international policies to include fewer restrictions on games that can be protected, and that is why a matchup like this is being played in South America.
By Jon Machota, Jeff Zrebiec and Jonathan Jones
Sept. 21, 2026 Updated 2:28 pm CDT
NFL field director Nick Pappas told The Athletic on Monday the league is working on converting the field at Maracanã Stadium into an NFL field and “at this time, no concerns.”
Concerns about the playing surface at the Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, stadium recently surfaced before the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens play there on Sunday.
“It’s a field that’s been actively used and that’s visible,” Pappas said. “But that’s no different than going to a grass field in the NFL In Week 3 that has some visible areas of use. We always want to present a product that looks like the Super Bowl and want to present a product that plays like the Super Bowl. That’s the goal and that’s what we’ll look to do this week.”
Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones addressed the issue on 105.3 The Fan on Monday.
“I don’t have concerns only because the league has said full speed ahead. … I think if there was a real concern, there would have already been contingent plans being made,” Jones said. “I know how the league works, about where we play the game if it weren’t there, and there’s none of that. So, I think we’re full speed ahead.
“Whatever work needs to be done on the field to make sure that it’s safe and great for our players, no one understands that more than the league, that we’ve got to have great surfaces and great playing fields that are very safe for our players. As far as I’m concerned, we’re full speed ahead and we’re ready to go to Rio.”
Following the Cowboys’ 37-20 win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday, team owner and general manager Jerry Jones said he was not up to date with the latest on the surface at Maracanã Stadium.
“We’ll look at that,” he added. “And I know that that’s of utmost concern to the league and the teams (that we) have good playing surface down there. We’ll, obviously, certainly stay informed as we look into it.”
Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said Sunday night that it had been discussed with their football operations team, led by vice president of football operations/football administration Todd Williams, and NFL officials.
“The league seems to feel like everything’s going to be fine,” Schottenheimer said. “And in reality, we were focused on this (game), but I have no concerns.”
Professional soccer players who have recently played in the stadium were critical of the grass field.
“It’s unbelievable that we’re playing on a field like this. Both penalty areas are bad as (expletive),” said Flamengo Football Club goalie Agustin Rossi, whose team plays at the stadium. “If you look at it, there are bumps everywhere. There’s still going to be an NFL game here during the international break. After that game, I hope the field is in better shape.”
Added Flamengo midfielder Giorgian De Arrascaeta: “The field keeps getting worse. It’s getting harder and harder to control the ball. We have to try to play quickly. If we want to be champions, we have to find a solution. With the team we have, we can’t be playing on a field like this.”
Schottenheimer said he was aware of some of their quotes.
“I trust that the league’s going to make the right decision,” he said, “and they’ll get the field up to standard.”
Later Monday, Ravens coach Jesse Minter was asked about the situation.
“It’s really in the league’s hands,” he said. “We’ve had contact with them. They have people there and feel really good about it.”
The Cowboys are scheduled to leave for Brazil late Thursday night and arrive Friday morning. The Ravens also depart Thursday and plan to practice there Friday.
Concerns about the quality of playing surfaces have been present at NFL stadiums for years, and none more recent than the Buffalo Bills having to rip out their grass just before their debut of the new Highmark Stadium. And so it’s not uncommon for there to be similar issues for international games where stadiums rarely host NFL games.
Nothing was worse than 2018, when the league wanted to play Kansas City Chiefs-Los Angeles Rams in Mexico City but had to move the game because of severe field conditions. Though that contest lives in international-series infamy for the NFL, it is famous to the public for being the 54-51 shootout at L.A. Coliseum.
In the league’s first-ever game in South America between the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers in 2024, both teams complained of poor field conditions at São Paulo’s Corinthians Arena. Those issues seemed to subside the next year when the Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers played at the same venue.
Though this will be the league’s third regular-season game in Brazil, it is the first foray into Rio. The city has hosted major sporting events for decades, including two World Cup finals and the 2016 Summer Olympics.
The NFL says there are 36 million NFL fans in Brazil, which makes it the second-largest international market, trailing only Mexico. It is no wonder the league, seeking to put a great product in front of such a large audience, tapped Lamar Jackson’s Ravens to play the most valuable sports team in the world.
The Cowboys have only played one other international game: a 2014 victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. The dozen-year layoff between international games is the longest in the league, though it is easy to explain.
Teams hosting the Cowboys are loath to give away the revenue generated from that game, so historically teams have protected those games from international hands. Recently, the league changed its international policies to include fewer restrictions on games that can be protected, and that is why a matchup like this is being played in South America.
