Many are still frustrated about the Saints game.
The Ravens had every opportunity to win that football game and didn’t. They couldn’t get a first down to move the ball, they couldn’t get off the field on third down, gave New Orleans too many chances and ultimately let a game they should have won get away from them.
In the NFL, you can’t keep your head down because 1 week later it’s time for another critical game.
We’ve spent the week digging into Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens and this Cowboys offense, along with where I think the Ravens can have success on both sides of the ball.
Now it’s gameday.
Here’s your Opening Drive.
Gameday Details
Baltimore Ravens at Dallas Cowboys
Sunday, September 27
Kickoff: 4:25 p.m. ET
Stadium: Maracanã Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
TV: CBS
Streaming: Paramount+
Head Referee: John Hussey
Gameday Weather
Weather shouldn’t be the biggest concern in Rio on Sunday, but the humidity is going to be noticeable. The forecast around kickoff calls for temperatures in the upper 70s, mostly cloudy skies and very little chance of rain. Winds should also be relatively light.
The bigger factor is the humidity, which will remain high throughout the game and could make it feel warmer than the actual temperature suggests. For two teams that just made roughly 10-hour flights to Brazil, conditioning and hydration could become a factor as the game gets into the fourth quarter.
The field conditions is the much bigger story. The NFL and NFLPA have had field experts monitoring the Maracanã surface after concerns about traction and stability, particularly loose grass creating the potential for players to slip. The stadium has dealt with unusually heavy rain over the last six weeks and a busy soccer schedule, and crews were still working on the natural-grass field Saturday — including trimming high spots and reinforcing the surface with additional stitching to help it hold together.
The NFLPA said its experts will continue evaluating the field through kickoff, although NFL field director Nick Pappas said Saturday that the surface had checked out following the additional work and there was “no need to worry.” We’ve seen this story before in Brazil: players had significant footing issues during the Eagles-Packers game in São Paulo in 2024 and had to change cleats. This is a different stadium and a different surface, but watch the footing early because there are legitimate reasons to be concerned about it.
Betting Lines
The Ravens enter Sunday as 3.5-point favourites over the Cowboys in Brazil.
Spread: Ravens -3.5
Moneyline: Ravens approximately -166
Cowboys Moneyline: approximately +140
Over/Under: 53.5
There’s been some pretty notable movement here.
Baltimore opened around -2.5, but that number has moved through the key number of three with the Ravens now sitting at -3.5 at DraftKings. The bigger movement has come on the total. This game opened around 50.5 and has been steadily bet up, with DraftKings now sitting at 53.5.
That’s a pretty significant number. It’s basically the market telling us what we’ve spent the week talking about: both offenses should have opportunities in this game.
The Ravens are expected to score.
So are the Cowboys.
Tune back in for Spenny & the Bets for gameday best bets.
Injury Report
The Ravens are getting healthier on defense at the right time, but they’ll be without Lamar Jackson’s starting left tackle and are still waiting on a decision with Zay Flowers.
Ravens
OUT — Ronnie Stanley, OT (toe)
Stanley didn’t practice all week after leaving the Saints game in the fourth quarter and has officially been ruled out. That puts second-year tackle Carson Vinson in line to make his first career start at LT. That’s obviously not ideal against a Cowboys pass rush that can get after the quarterback.
QUESTIONABLE — Zay Flowers, WR (hamstring)
Flowers missed Wednesday and Thursday before returning as a limited participant on Friday. Jesse Minter said Zay has a “real opportunity” to play, which is encouraging, but this is the same hamstring injury that kept him out against New Orleans. This one feels like it’s going right up until gametime.
The big news is who isn’t carrying a game designation.
Nnamdi Madubuike and Teddye Buchanan were full participants throughout the week and are set to make their 2026 debuts. Getting Mads back in particular is a massive addition to a defensive front that hasn’t generated enough consistent interior pressure through two weeks.
Cowboys
Dallas enters Sunday significantly more beat up, particularly on defense.
OUT — Malik Hooker, S (forearm)
Hooker will miss his second consecutive game after fracturing his forearm in Week 1. Dallas is already dealing with major issues at safety, and things have only gotten worse around him.
OUT — P.J. Locke, S (foot)
Locke tore the plantar fascia in his foot against Washington and has now been placed on injured reserve. He’ll miss at least four games.
OUT — Cobie Durant, CB (hamstring)
Durant suffered the injury against Washington and won’t play. He’s been a starter for Dallas, and his absence takes another piece out of an already depleted Cowboys secondary. Dallas elevated Reddy Steward from the practice squad to provide additional depth.
OUT — DeMarvion Overshown, LB (hamstring)
Overshown will miss his second straight game after suffering the hamstring injury in Week 1. Rookie Jaishawn Barham has taken over at MIKE in his absence and has also handled the green dot responsibilities.
That’s four defensive players ruled out for Dallas, including three members of the secondary.
If Zay Flowers can go, there should be opportunities for Lamar Jackson and this passing game against a Cowboys defense that is going to be relying on some pretty significant depth pieces in Brazil.
