Ravens Walk-Off Touchdown in Rio Shocks Cowboys, Headlines 2026 NFL Week 3 Thriller

Historic Brazil Kickoff Looms as Baltimore Ravens Sweat Over Zay Flowers’ Hamstring The Baltimore Ravens touch down in Rio de Janeiro this weekend for the franchise’s first-ever regular-season game on South American soil, but a lingering hamstring strain to star wideout Zay Flowers threatens to overshadow the spectacle. Flowers practiced only in a limited capacity on Friday and is officially listed as questionable for Sunday’s Week 3 clash with the Dallas Cowboys at Maracanã Stadium, leaving coaches to label him a true game-time decision. Why Flowers’ Status Matters • Explosive production: Flowers leads Baltimore in targets and yards per route this season after posting 1,172 receiving yards as a rookie in 2025. • Soft Cowboys secondary: Dallas arrives without starting corner Trevon Diggs (ACL) and nickel Jourdan Lewis (ankle), making Sunday a prime opportunity for Baltimore’s pass game—if its top receiver can suit up. More Injury Headlines Left tackle Ronnie Stanley (toe) has been ruled out, thrusting second-year blocker Carson Vinson into his first NFL start and forcing the Ravens to juggle depth across the line. On the positive side, defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike and linebacker Teddye Buchanan, both sidelined since preseason, have been cleared and are expected to debut in Brazil, bolstering a front seven that ranks fourth in sacks through two weeks. Maracanã Field Conditions a Wild Card Team doctors will test Flowers’ hamstring during warm-ups, but Baltimore’s staff is equally concerned about the temporary grass surface installed at iconic Maracanã. NFL officials inspected the pitch twice this week after heavy mid-spring rains; any softness could heighten re-injury risk and sway the final decision. Keys for Baltimore Without Flowers 1. Lean on Lamar Jackson’s legs: The quarterback averages 7.4 yards per carry against Dan Quinn-coached defenses. 2. Feed rookie RB Quinshon Judkins on outside zone to attack Dallas’ undersized linebackers. 3. Feature TE Mark Andrews on seam routes—Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson has allowed a 126.4 passer rating when targeted this year. When and How to Watch • Kickoff: Sunday, Sept. 28, 4:25 p.m. ET (5:25 p.m. local) • TV: FOX (national) • Streaming: NFL+ (US), DAZN Game Pass (international) SEO Takeaway Fans searching for “Baltimore Ravens vs Cowboys Brazil,” “Zay Flowers injury update,” and “Ravens Week 3 Maracanã” should find this guide a one-stop hub for lineup news, matchup tips, and viewing info as the NFL writes a new chapter on the Rio coast.