On Sunday in Rio, Dallas faces Baltimore's Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry: Jackson has 559 passing yards, two TDs and 74 rushing yards; Henry has 212 rushing yards and four TDs through two games. Zay Flowers' return from a hamstring injury remained uncertain Monday.
Baltimore is 1-1 after opening with a 41-23 win over Indianapolis, gaining more than 500 offensive yards, then losing 24-17 to New Orleans after going scoreless over the final 18 minutes. Jesse Minter is in his first season as head coach and defensive play-caller, while Declan Doyle is calling the offense for the first time. Rashod Bateman had seven catches for 88 yards and a touchdown against the Saints.
This is the Cowboys' first regular-season game in Rio; they are due to travel Thursday, practice Friday and play Sunday at Maracanã Stadium. Soccer players have criticized the pitch, and the stadium has faced unusually heavy rainfall over the past six weeks. NFL field director Nick Pappas said Monday the league was confident it would be ready, citing a crew sent to Rio and a tarp shipped to protect the turf. He said some soccer-specific concerns may not translate because the football is less often on the ground.
