RIO DE JANEIRO
What a show in Rio.
The Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens met in Brazil on Sunday afternoon and delivered one of the top games of the year, with the Ravens taking it 34-31 on a 56-yard field goal as time expired.
It was set up by a Lamar Jackson-to-Zay Flowers connection for 27 yards and a timeout with one second left.
Here are the five takeaways from a classic at Maracanã Stadium:
The play-caller failed too many times
This wasn’t head coach Brian Schottenheimer’s best night as an offensive play-caller.
Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer reacts during the game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. Brian Snyder REUTERS
On the opening drive, after Javonte Williams had already picked up 44 yards on the ground to get the Cowboys to the 1-yard line, Schottenheimer went away from the run. An incompletion on second down was followed by a sack on third down that forced the offense to settle for a field goal. Now, the Cowboys probably would have run it on fourth down if they were still at the 1, but the situation itself should have never happened.
On the third drive of the game, after scoring 10 points on the first two possessions, the Cowboys had a fresh set of downs at their own 46-yard line. Dallas chose to go with three straight passes, resulting in a four-yard gain and back-to-back incompletions. The Cowboys punted.
On the first drive of the second half, the Cowboys utilized a fourth down conversion to get into Baltimore territory, but a play action shovel pass on first-and-10 at the 23 to tight end Jake Ferguson was fumbled and recovered by the Ravens. In the end, Schottenheimer just got too cute in a position where he didn’t need to.
Or how about when the Cowboys got the ball with 7:29 left and the lead? Three-and-out, and less than two minutes came off the clock to keep Baltimore in it. On the final drive with multiple chances to score on the goal line, the Cowboys couldn’t find the end zone to put it away, and we know what that led to.
“It was an F,” Schottenheimer said about how he’d grade his play-calling. “We lost.”
The offense wasn’t bad Sunday, but there were too many times when its momentum was stalled. That fell on the play-caller in this instance.
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens reacts during a game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. Sergio Moraes REUTERS Lamb and Pickens bring the show to Rio
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better receiver duo in the NFL than CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, and they proved why that’s the case Sunday.
From finding rhythm in the quick action to Lamb hauling in a 49-yard deep ball on a drive that gave the Cowboys the lead in the fourth, the duo of Lamb and Pickens was on all night. The two combined for 14 receptions and 194 yards. The rest of the Cowboys’ pass catchers combined for 11 receptions for 82 yards.
Pickens was the reliable target over the middle, while Lamb found the majority of his action outside the numbers. The effectiveness of both kept the Cowboys’ offense unpredictable and allowed a productive running game.
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (right) draws a pass interference penalty from Baltimore Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins in the final minute Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. Brian Snyder REUTERS
“We were just wanting to get both of those guys involved,” quarterback Dak Prescott said. “We got a whole season of work under our belts with those two guys, so it really depends on what defenses are giving us and how they’re playing us. We were able to attack with both of those guys.”
Surface condition concerns be damned, the receivers came to play on the grass in Rio.
Welcome back, Javonte Williams
One of the biggest positives to take into the coming weeks is the emergence of the Cowboys’ run game in Brazil.
Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams (33) celebrates with teammates after his 2-yard touchdown run in the first quarter against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. Brian Snyder REUTERS
From the opening series, Javonte Williams was on, as the team leaned on him to get the momentum going. He followed up his strong opening drive with his second touchdown of the season on the following possession, and he found multiple explosive runs throughout the night after entering the game with none on the year. On the night, Williams finished with 98 yards on 19 carries.
“The offensive line embraced it,” Prescott said. “Early in the game with the way they were playing us, we knew we were going to run the ball. They respect our guys outside, they don’t want them to get behind them, and our offensive line did a good job.”
Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams runs against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. Sergio Moraes REUTERS
The Cowboys may have even found a complement to Williams, as backup running back Tyler Goodson earned his first appearance on the season and gave the offense a timely burst, running for 22 yards on six carries.
Safety depth now a big concern
At the safety position, there were already questions about depth coming in with Malik Hooker recovering from a broken forearm and P.J. Locke set to miss at least four games with torn plantar fascia.
In Sunday’s game, Jalen Thompson exited the game in the first half with a hamstring injury and did not return. The Cowboys turned to Markquese Bell and Alijah Clark for the second half as a result.
Dallas Cowboys safety Jalen Thompson (right) reacts to a penalty call on Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Devontez Walker on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. Kirby Lee IMAGN IMAGES
The Cowboys will need some quick recoveries from the veterans in their safety room, as the trio has combined for 306 games played during their careers. The rest of the safeties — including rookie Caleb Downs if they turn to him for more work on the back end — have combined for just 83 career games played.
Cowboys will have to quickly move on
The NFL schedule is unforgiving. The Cowboys immediately bolted to the airport following the game to get on a 10-hour flight back to DFW and will have two off days to recover.
Then, the team will have to go back out on the road — albeit to Houston, but still two flights and a stay in a hotel — for a clash against the Texans. After that, it will be another quick turnaround for a Thursday night game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
It’s not only the most challenging part of the schedule of this season from a logistical standpoint for the Cowboys after Brazil, it’s one of the most challenging stretches for any team in the NFL this year.
Playing three games in 11 days is not uncommon on the NFL schedule, but to start that run in a different hemisphere is a rarity. Even once the Cowboys get through this next stretch, they will have back-to-back road trips to Green Bay and Philadelphia waiting for them.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson runs against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. Brian Snyder REUTERS
“We have to get back to work,” Prescott said. “But it sucks. It sucks. There are no ifs, ands or buts about it. Knowing you had a game, could have won a game. You don’t, you tie it hoping for overtime. We put our defense in a terrible position, and that’s a good offense with an MVP quarterback who makes a great throw. The kicker comes in and makes a game-winning field goal. That’s the NFL.”
Simply put, they will need to put this one behind them as soon as possible, because the next task(s) loom.
“Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll be able to flush it for a couple of days,” Prescott said. “
Game schedule dates, times, locations Sept. 22 New York Mets 6, Rangers 3 Sept. 23 New York Mets 7, Rangers 2 Sept. 24 Rangers 3, New York Mets 1 Sept. 25 Minnesota 10, Rangers 2 Sept. 26 Rangers 6, Minnesota 2 Sept. 27 Minnesota 6, Texas 4 Season complete Sept. 17 Wings 97, Los Angeles 77 Sept. 19 Wings 87, Phoenix 82 Sept. 21 Phoenix 87, Wings 86 Sept. 23 Wings 103, Seattle 91 WNBA playoffs First-round series (best-of-3; Golden State leads 1-0) Game 1: Sept. 27 Golden State 104, Wings 80 Game 2: Sept. 30 vs. Golden State, 8 p.m., ESPN Game 3 (if necessary): Oct. 2 at Golden State, TBD Sept. 13 N.Y. Giants 28, Cowboys 20 Sept. 20 Cowboys 37, Washington 20 Sept. 27 Baltimore 34, Cowboys 31 Oct. 4 at Houston, 12 p.m., Fox Oct. 8 vs. Tampa Bay, 7:15 p.m., Amazon Prime Video Oct. 18 at Green Bay, 7:20 p.m., NBC Oct. 26 at Philadelphia, 7:15 p.m., ESPN, ABC Nov. 1 vs. Arizona, 12 p.m., Fox Nov. 8 at Indianapolis, 12 p.m., Fox Nov. 15 vs. San Francisco, 3:25 p.m., Fox Nov. 22 vs. Tennessee, 12 p.m., Fox Nov. 26 vs. Philadelphia, 3:30 p.m., Fox Dec. 7 at Seattle, 7:15 p.m., ESPN, ABC Dec. 20 at L.A. Rams, 3:25 p.m., CBS Dec. 27 vs. Jacksonville, 7:20 p.m., NBC Jan. 3 vs. N.Y. Giants, 12 p.m., Fox Jan. 9 or 10 at Washington, TBA Aug. 29 North Carolina 15, TCU 10 Sept. 12 TCU 63, Grambling State 7 Sept. 19 TCU 31, Arkansas State 7 Sept. 26 Central Florida 21, TCU 13 Oct. 3 vs. BYU, 6 p.m., ESPN Oct. 17 at Baylor, TBA Oct. 24 vs. West Virginia, TBA Oct. 31 vs. Kansas, TBA Nov. 6 at Arizona, 9:15 p.m., ESPN Nov. 14 vs. Kansas State, TBA Nov. 21 vs. Utah, TBA Nov. 26 at Texas Tech, 7 p.m., ESPN Sept. 5 Indiana 52, North Texas 16 Sept. 12 North Texas 44, UNLV 6 Sept. 19 Texas State 49, North Texas 35 Sept. 26 North Texas 63, Houston Christian 14 Oct. 1 at Tulsa, 8 p.m., ESPN Oct. 10 vs. Charlotte, TBA Oct. 24 at Navy, 2:30 p.m. CBSSN Oct. 29 vs. Florida Atlantic, 6:30 p.m., ESPN or ESPN2 Nov. 7 vs. Rice, TBA Nov. 14 at UTSA, TBA Nov. 21 at Tulane, TBA Nov. 28 vs. UAB, TBA All home games at Crowley ISD Multi-Purpose Stadium Aug. 27 Central Oklahoma 59, Texas Wesleyan 7 Sept. 5 McNeese State 52, Texas Wesleyan 0 Sept. 12 Texas Wesleyan 56, Texas College 20 Sept. 26 Texas Wesleyan 41, Nelson 16 Oct. 3 at Arkansas Baptist, 2 p.m. Oct. 10 at Louisiana Christian, 2 p.m. Oct. 17 vs. Mary Hardin-Baylor, 1 p.m. Oct. 24 at Langston, 2 p.m. Oct. 31 vs. Oklahoma Panhandle State, 2 p.m. Nov. 7 at Ottawa (Arizona), 6 p.m. Nov. 14 at Wayland Baptist, 2 p.m. Sept. 5 FC Dallas 4, Kansas City 3 Sept. 9 FC Dallas 2, Minnesota 1 Sept. 12 FC Dallas 2, Portland 1 Sept. 19 FC Dallas 0, Austin 0 Sept. 26 FC Dallas 1, LAFC 0 Oct. 10 at Charlotte, 6:30 p.m., Apple TV Oct. 14 vs. Seattle, 7:30 p.m., Apple TV Oct. 17 at Houston, 7:30 p.m., Apple TV Oct. 24 vs. San Jose, 7:30 p.m., Apple TV Oct. 28 vs. Columbus, 7:30 p.m., Apple TV Oct. 1-3 Dirt Track Championship Oct. 2-3 Goodguys Lone Star Nationals Oct. 14 Tony Stewart Bowling Tournament Oct. 16-17 High Limit Racing Championship Oct. 29-31 POWRi Racing
This story was originally published September 27, 2026 at 6:59 PM.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Nick Harris is the Dallas Cowboys beat reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He has experience working on the beat for DallasCowboys.com and previous work experience at Yahoo Sports/Rivals and 247Sports.