Full Breakdown
Cowboys Owner Blames Coaching Errors for 34-31 Loss to Ravens in Rio
By Drooid · · How we work
The Final Drive and Game Outcome
On September 27, 2026, the Dallas Cowboys fell 34-31 to the Baltimore Ravens at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, the NFL’s first game in the city. Dallas entered the final minute at the Ravens’ two-yard line with a first-and-goal and a three-point deficit. After a false-start penalty on tight end Luke Schoonmaker, the Cowboys called their last timeout with 14 seconds remaining. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer instructed quarterback Dak Prescott to either throw a quick out to George Pickens or throw the ball away. Prescott chose the latter, and the play consumed only four seconds. The Cowboys kicked a 23-yard field goal, tying the game with seven seconds left.
The ensuing kickoff was a touchback, leaving the ball at the Ravens’ 35-yard line. With one second on the clock, Lamar Jackson completed a 27-yard pass to Zay Flowers, allowing Tyler Loop to convert a 56-yard field goal as time expired. The owner identified the penalty, timeout, throwaway and kickoff sequence as the decisive factor in the loss.
Background & Context
The Rio matchup was the NFL’s third international game and the first in Brazil, drawing an announced crowd of 72,792. The Cowboys entered the contest with a 1-2 record after a Week 1 loss to the New York Giants and a Week 2 win over Washington. The loss dropped them to 1-2 in the NFC East and intensified scrutiny of the coaching staff, now in its second season under head coach Brian Schottenheimer and defensive coordinator Christian Parker.
Data & Statistics
- Total yards: Dallas 415, Baltimore 378.
- Time of possession: Dallas 30:38, Baltimore 29:22.
- First downs: Dallas 27, Baltimore 23.
- Key individual stats: Dak Prescott 25-40, 276 yards, 1 TD; CeeDee Lamb 112 yards; George Pickens 82 yards; Javonte Williams 98 yards, 1 TD.
Official Statements & Responses
He added that the organization will evaluate the situation to avoid repeating the errors.
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer later acknowledged that the decision to have Prescott throw the ball away was “by design” and accepted responsibility for the “overcoaching” that led to the play. Defensive coordinator Christian Parker also faced criticism for the secondary’s coverage that allowed the Ravens’ final pass.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact duration of the final offensive play: one account describes the throwaway as lasting four seconds, another notes five seconds. Reports also vary on whether the kickoff was a standard deep kick or a touchback; the consensus is that the ball was placed in the end zone without consuming time.
Verbatim Quotes
- “There is no explanation you're satisfied with. None,” — Jerry Jones, general manager
- “Frustrated. Frustrated as hell. Excuse me. Embarrassed,” — Dak Prescott
What’s Next
The Cowboys travel to Houston for their Week 4 matchup against the winless Houston Texans on October 4, 2026. The game is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. CT at NRG Stadium. Dallas hopes to apply the lessons from Rio and avoid another late-game collapse.