Cowboys vs Ravens: The most definitive field conditions update in Rio just dropped ahead of Week 3 NFL showdown in Brazil
The Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens are ready for Week 3 action at Maracanã Stadium, and the venue is ready for them.
A lot has been made about the field conditions in Maracanã Stadium ahead of the Dallas Cowboys’ matchup against the Baltimore Ravens in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Ever since complaints about the field emerged from soccer players in Brazil leading up to the game, speculation has run rampant about the conditions in the historic Brazilian venue.
On Saturday morning, however, the most important and definitve update regarding the field dropped via NFL Field Director Nick Pappas.
“We have an independent inspector that comes in, walks with myself, walks with a member of the NFLPA, they were here yesterday,” Pappas told reporters via The Athletic’s Jon Machota. “(We) performed that test, things check out.”
There were never any serious suspicions about a relocation. The league and both clubs always expressed confidence in the game taking place abroad. Earlier in the week, we covered why it was always highly unlikely and nothing like the Mexico City situation in 2018 when the NFL relocated a Rams-Chiefs matchup due to field conditions. But now it’s 100% confirmed. The game in Rio de Janeiro is full steam ahead and the league is feeling confident about it.
Pappas added additional imovements have been made to the surface even in the final stretch leading to Sunday’s matchup. Right now, there is no concern about the field conditions.
NFL and NFLPA on the same page ahead of Rio game
Pappas’ comments follow a lengthy statement from NFLPA executive director J.C. Tretter in which he pushed for improved field conditions, indicating “the field needed better traction and stability” and that “players shouldn’t have to overcome the field.”
Now both sides appear to be fully on the same page based on Pappa’s comments on the field testing, for which the NFLPA was present.
The Cowboys took the field Saturday morning for the first time after practicing in another facility on Friday. The team is prepared to use cleats with additional spikes to adapt to the field. Players traveled with two sets of cleats for the game.
