Ravens grab win in Rio as Commanders stop Seahawks

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, September 29, 2026

The Baltimore Ravens won 34-31 against the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL’s first-ever game played in Brazil, clinching victory with a last-second 56-yard field goal by Tyler Loop at Maracanã Stadium. This historic match underscores the NFL's expanding international presence and growing fan interest in American football outside the United States.

The Baltimore Ravens secured a 34-31 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL’s inaugural game held at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracanã Stadium on Sunday. The matchup marked the first-ever American football game played in Brazil and featured a dramatic finish, with Baltimore’s kicker Tyler Loop nailing a 56-yard field goal as time expired to clinch the win.

The game unfolded as a back-and-forth contest. The Ravens established a strong position early, bolstered by Derrick Henry’s two rushing touchdowns that helped Baltimore take a 24-13 lead midway through the third quarter. However, the Cowboys mounted a comeback, scoring 15 unanswered points to gain a brief advantage. A late touchdown by Ravens rookie Matt Hibner kept Baltimore within reach. In the final seconds, Dallas’s field goal seemed to force overtime, but quarterback Lamar Jackson quickly connected with Zay Flowers on a 26-yard pass before calling a timeout with one second remaining, setting up Loop’s game-winning kick. Ravens head coach Jesse Minter praised his team’s resilience and the decisive execution in the final moments.

Earlier the same day, the Washington Commanders defeated the Seattle Seahawks 33-31 in a surprising upset. Seattle, the reigning Super Bowl champions, suffered their first loss of the season after a 12-game winning streak was snapped. The Commanders, facing adversity after two consecutive defeats and the loss of starting quarterback Jayden Daniels to injury, inserted veteran backup Marcus Mariota at quarterback. Mariota, 32, responded by throwing three touchdown passes, leading Washington to the narrow victory over the favored Seahawks.

Both NFL contests delivered high drama in front of enthusiastic crowds at the iconic Maracanã, demonstrating a growing international appetite for American football and marking a significant milestone in the league’s global expansion efforts.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.