NFL says Ravens-Cowboys game in Rio will proceed despite criticism of Maracanã playing surface

The NFL is pressing ahead with its regular-season game between the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracanã Stadium, even after soccer players who use the venue publicly raised concerns about the condition of the field.

A league spokesperson said the game is moving forward and that the NFL has a plan in place to deliver a high-quality playing surface, according to The Athletic. The NFLPA has also been briefed and has been in communication with the league office.

Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones downplayed the issue, saying the league’s message to clubs has been unambiguous.

“I don’t have concerns only because the league has said full speed ahead,” Jones told The Athletic. He added that if there were a genuine problem, contingency planning would already be underway, and that he trusts the league to do what is necessary to provide a safe surface. “We’re full speed ahead and we’re ready to go to Rio.”

On-field stakes in Week 3

The matchup carries plenty of weight beyond the surface debate. Both teams arrive at 1-1, but with opposite momentum. Dallas rebounded from a lopsided season-opening loss to the Giants by beating Washington 37-20, while Baltimore followed a strong 41-23 win over Indianapolis with a surprising 24-17 defeat to New Orleans.

Lamar Jackson and the Ravens are looking to steady themselves, while Dak Prescott and the Cowboys have a chance to build on their Week 2 resurgence in the first regular-season NFL game played in Rio.

Broadcast context

The international series continues to be a meaningful programming asset for the league’s media partners. Comcast, whose NBC operations are among the NFL’s broadcast rights holders, closed at $22.79 in its most recent session and traded up 0.59% to $22.92 on the day, giving the company a market capitalization of roughly $92.5 billion. International games add inventory that networks can market to advertisers as the league expands its global footprint.

Field quality has been a recurring topic for the NFL as it stages games abroad, where venues are typically shared with soccer clubs and surfaces are retrofitted for football on short timelines. League officials have generally moved games forward only after confirming surface standards, making Sunday’s preparation at the Maracanã a situation worth monitoring through kickoff.

What to watch

• Updates from the league or NFLPA on field conditions at Maracanã Stadium in the days before kickoff
• Whether either team reports surface-related practice adjustments or injury designations ahead of Sunday
• Injury reports and availability for Lamar Jackson and Dak Prescott as both 1-1 teams finalize game plans

Source: original release