Alright, so here’s the deal: The Dallas Cowboys are set to face the Baltimore Ravens in Rio de Janeiro this Sunday, Sept. 27, at Maracanã Stadium, and there’s major drama brewing about the playing surface. Dallas executive vice president Stephen Jones has straight-up dismissed any concerns about the natural grass field, even though local soccer players have been loudly complaining about its condition.
The “Full Speed Ahead” Vibe While the Field Is a Minefield
Local guys, like Flamengo goalkeeper Agustín Rossi, are calling attention to “bumps across the surface.” That’s not a minor complaint; it can seriously mess with a player’s footing. Jones, on 105.3 The Fan, said: “I don’t have concerns only because the league has said full speed ahead.” He reasoned that if there was “a real concern,” the NFL would “have already been contingent plans being made,” and since there aren’t any, it’s all good. The NFL *has* acknowledged these concerns and says they’re gonna “work on the field” to provide a “high-quality playing surface” before Sunday. But Maracanã is still hosting soccer events, creating a super tight window for prep. Footing impacts *everything*, from speed players making cuts to linemen needing consistent traction for safety and performance.
Dallas’s Early Season Test Beyond the Bumps
The Cowboys are rolling into this Brazil trip at 1-1, fresh off a 37-20 win against Washington. Dak Prescott was slinging it, throwing four touchdown passes in that game, which made him Dallas’ career touchdown leader. But they’ve got “defensive issues to address.” Washington actually gained more total yards, and Dallas relied on “timely stops and a positive turnover margin” to win. So, this Brazil game is a massive test for them, especially needing to adjust quickly to travel demands while keeping offensive timing locked in and defensive communication tight. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer also trusts the league to “get the field up to standard,” despite the field talk.
The league *did* move a Chiefs-Rams game from Mexico City back in 2018 because of field concerns, so there’s precedent. But for now, Dallas and Baltimore are still set for Rio, with no relocation plan in sight. The Cowboys’ focus is entirely on “executing in unfamiliar conditions” this Sunday, Sept. 27. Let’s see if the field actually meets those “NFL standards” when kickoff finally rolls around, or if those local player warnings were on the money.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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