The Dallas Cowboys barely have time to enjoy their 37-20 win over the Washington Commanders. After moving to 1-1, they now have to shift their attention to Brazil, where the Baltimore Ravens are waiting in Week 3.

But before the Cowboys get into the matchup, there is another issue getting attention: the playing surface at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. The concerns started after Flamengo goalkeeper Agustin Rossi spoke about the condition of the field.

“It’s unbelievable that we’re playing on a field like this. Both penalty areas are bad as [expletive],” Agustin Rossi told Brazilian sports outlet.

Rossi also pointed to bumps across the surface and said he hoped the field would be in better shape after the NFL game. His comments have put the condition of the pitch under the spotlight ahead of the Cowboys-Ravens matchup.

“As with all international games, we have a plan in place to ensure a high-quality playing surface,” an NFL representative told The Athletic, according to the Dallas Cowboys official website.

The Cowboys have also been in contact with the league about the situation. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer said Todd Williams, the team’s vice president of football operations, and his staff have been speaking directly with league officials.

“The league seems to feel like everything’s going to be fine,” Schottenheimer said.

Schottenheimer added that he had seen the comments about the field but wasn't overly concerned at this point.

“I know that it’s of utmost concern to the league that the teams have a good playing surface down there,” Schottenheimer added.

CeeDee Lamb isn't spending much time worrying about it either. The Cowboys receiver is coming off a huge game against Washington, catching eight passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns.

One of those scores came on Dak Prescott’s record-breaking touchdown pass.

“Let’s play,” he said. “I don’t have questions. I’m gonna be out there, so it is what it is.”

For now, that is where things stand. The NFL says the field will be ready, the Cowboys have been in contact with the league, and Dallas is moving forward with preparations for its first game in Rio.

The Cowboys will face the Ravens at Maracanã Stadium on Sunday, September 27.

For now, Dallas’ focus shifts to Brazil, where an unexpected concern has emerged ahead of Week 3.

Cowboys’ Week 2 victory delivers more than just a win

The Dallas Cowboys’ first game at AT&T Stadium this season turned into a huge night for Fox Sports.

Their 37-20 win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday pulled in 27.21 million viewers, making it the most-watched NFL telecast through the first two weeks of the 2026 season, according to Bradenton Herald.

The number was higher than NBC’s Sunday Night Football matchup between the Indianapolis Colts and Kansas City Chiefs, which averaged 24.3 million viewers. That game, a 33-30 overtime win for Kansas City, reached a peak of 27.4 million viewers in the second quarter.

Dak Prescott’s history-making performance added another storyline to Dallas’ home opener. The quarterback threw his 249th touchdown pass, moving ahead of Tony Romo to become the Cowboys’ all-time leader in passing touchdowns.

The game also brought bad news for Washington. Jayden Daniels suffered a dislocated elbow on the final play of the first half, and the Commanders have not yet provided a timeline for his return.

Dallas still has five scheduled prime-time games left this season, plus its annual Thanksgiving matchup.

The next comes in Week 4 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football, followed by games against the Packers, Eagles, Seahawks and Jaguars.

Written by

Debanjali Rakshit