Baltimore Ravens Secure 34-31 Victory Over Dallas Cowboys in Rio de Janeiro
The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Dallas Cowboys 34-31 in the first NFL regular-season game hosted at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, securing the win on a 56-yard field goal by kicker Tyler Loop as time expired.
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Played before an announced crowd of 72,792 fans, the historic international matchup came down to the final seven seconds. Dallas had tied the game at 31-31 moments earlier following a 23-yard field goal by Brandon Aubrey, which was set up by a pass-interference penalty called against Ravens defensive back Nate Wiggins.
Lamar Jackson and Zay Flowers Set Up Game-Winning Field Goal
With only one second remaining on the game clock after Aubrey’s tying kick, Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson completed a 27-yard pass to wide receiver Zay Flowers. Jackson immediately signaled for the team’s final timeout, stopping the clock and bringing Loop onto the field for the long-range attempt.
Loop, a second-year professional kicker, drove the 56-yard kick cleanly between the uprights to break the tie and give Baltimore the 34-31 victory. The clutch kick concluded a chaotic finish that saw the lead shift in the game’s closing moments.
Ravens Stick With Young Kicker Through Early-Career Struggles
The Ravens maintained their confidence in the young kicker despite a missed field goal late last season that kept the team out of the playoffs, a difficult training camp, and a blocked kick during Week 2 of the current season.
As the ball cleared the crossbar, Baltimore players rushed the field to celebrate with Loop, while the Cowboys stood stunned on the turf. The victory snaps a recent stretch of narrow, late-game losses for the Ravens, who relied on defensive stands in the final minutes and Jackson's steady play to handle the hostile atmosphere in Rio.
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