Introduction
The Ravens vs Cowboys matchup ended with one of the most dramatic finishes of the 2026 NFL season. Tyler Loop drilled a 56-yard field goal as time expired, giving Baltimore a 34-31 victory over Dallas at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
The victory moved Baltimore to 2-1, while Dallas fell to 1-2.
Background and Context
The game was already historic before kickoff.
Baltimore and Dallas were selected for the NFL’s first game in Rio de Janeiro, with the matchup taking place at the iconic Maracanã Stadium. The NFL had announced the international game as part of its continuing expansion beyond the United States.
For the Ravens, the game also carried a personal storyline for Loop.
Last season, Loop had missed a 44-yard field goal that would have sent Baltimore to the playoffs. In Rio, he received another opportunity with the game on the line. This time, the kick traveled 56 yards and went through as the clock reached zero.
Latest Update: Ravens vs Cowboys Final Score
The Ravens vs Cowboys game developed into a back-and-forth contest with four lead changes and a tie in the fourth quarter.
Dallas opened the scoring and led 10-7 after the first quarter. Baltimore responded in the second, then carried a 17-13 advantage into halftime. The Ravens extended that lead during the third quarter before Dallas fought back.
The fourth quarter became the defining chapter.
Dallas moved ahead 27-24 on KaVontae Turpin’s nine-yard rushing touchdown. Baltimore answered with Lamar Jackson’s two-yard touchdown pass to tight end Malik Hibner, putting the Ravens ahead 30-28.
Dallas then regained the lead when Brandon Aubrey converted a 23-yard field goal with 10 seconds left, making it 31-30.
Baltimore still had one possession.
Jackson immediately connected with Zay Flowers for 27 yards, moving the Ravens to the Dallas 38-yard line with seven seconds remaining. Loop then stepped onto the field and converted the 56-yard field goal as time expired, producing the 34-31 final.
Expert Insights and Analysis
Lamar Jackson delivered the final opportunity
Jackson completed 15 of 20 passes for 186 yards and two touchdowns while adding 50 rushing yards. His final completion to Flowers created the field position Baltimore needed for Loop’s game-winning kick.
Jackson’s mobility was also part of Baltimore’s overall offensive approach. The Ravens ran the ball 38 times, with Derrick Henry carrying 26 times for 89 yards and two touchdowns.
Dallas generated more total offense
The final score does not tell the entire statistical story.
Dallas finished with 415 total yards compared with Baltimore’s 378. Dak Prescott completed 25 of 40 passes for 276 yards and a touchdown, while CeeDee Lamb caught seven passes for 112 yards.
Javonte Williams also produced 98 rushing yards and a touchdown on 19 carries.
But Dallas committed one turnover and Baltimore committed none, while the Cowboys also finished with two lost fumbles according to the game statistics.
The final sequence changed everything
The final 14 seconds effectively contained the entire game’s tension.
Aubrey tied the game at 31-31 with his 23-yard field goal. Dallas then kicked off, and Jackson immediately found Flowers for 27 yards. Baltimore called timeout with one second remaining before Loop converted from 56 yards.
It was also a striking redemption storyline for Loop, whose previous playoff-related miss was explicitly referenced by the Ravens in their postgame coverage.
Broader Implications
The result gives Baltimore a 2-1 record and puts the Ravens back above .500 after their Week 2 loss to New Orleans. NFL.com lists Baltimore’s next game as a home matchup against Tennessee on October 4.
Dallas, meanwhile, drops to 1-2 and heads into Week 4 against Houston.
The game also demonstrated the value of the NFL’s international schedule as a storytelling platform. The first NFL game at Maracanã was decided by a field goal on the final play, giving the Rio debut an unusually dramatic finish.
Internal link suggestion: Link NFL international games and the league’s global expansion to a related NFL business or technology article on thetechmarketer.com.
Related History and Comparable NFL Matchups
The Baltimore-Dallas meeting joined a growing list of NFL games staged outside the United States.
What made this particular matchup different was the setting. Maracanã is globally associated with soccer, but the stadium hosted the NFL’s first game in Rio de Janeiro for this meeting.
The ending also created a direct personal contrast for Loop. His missed 44-yard attempt from the previous season had become part of his public story. His 56-yard conversion in Rio provided a very different outcome when another high-pressure opportunity arrived.
What Happens Next
Baltimore returns home to face the Tennessee Titans on October 4. The Ravens enter that matchup at 2-1 after opening the season with victories over Indianapolis and Dallas, separated by a Week 2 loss to New Orleans.
Dallas travels to Houston for Week 4 after falling to 1-2.
For both teams, the Rio game provides an early-season snapshot rather than a final assessment of the season. Baltimore’s rushing attack and late-game execution will remain important areas to watch, while Dallas will look to convert its offensive production into more consistent closing results.
Conclusion
The Ravens vs Cowboys game delivered a remarkable finish in a historic setting.
Dallas produced 415 yards and repeatedly answered Baltimore’s scoring drives. Baltimore nevertheless remained alive until the final seconds, with Jackson’s 27-yard completion to Flowers creating the opening for Loop.
Then came the kick.
Loop’s 56-yard field goal at the final second gave Baltimore a 34-31 victory and turned what had been a back-and-forth international showcase into a memorable NFL finish.
The Ravens leave Rio at 2-1. The Cowboys leave at 1-2. And the NFL’s first game at Maracanã ends with one of the league’s clearest examples of how quickly a game can turn on a single play.
FAQ
What was the Ravens vs Cowboys final score?
The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Dallas Cowboys 34-31 on September 27, 2026.
Who won the Ravens vs Cowboys game?
Baltimore won after Tyler Loop made a 56-yard field goal as time expired.
Who kicked the game-winning field goal?
Ravens kicker Tyler Loop converted the 56-yard attempt on the final play.
Where was the Ravens vs Cowboys game played?
The game was played at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the site of the NFL’s first game in Rio.
How did Lamar Jackson perform?
Jackson completed 15 of 20 passes for 186 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 50 yards.
How did Dak Prescott perform?
Prescott completed 25 of 40 passes for 276 yards and one touchdown.
What was Tyler Loop’s connection to the game’s storyline?
Loop had missed a 44-yard field goal the previous season that would have sent the Ravens to the playoffs. In Rio, he converted the much longer 56-yard attempt to win the game.
What are the teams’ records after the game?
Baltimore is 2-1, while Dallas is 1-2 after Week 3.
Sources & References
- ESPN: Ravens stun Cowboys in final seconds as Loop gains redemption
- NFL.com: Baltimore Ravens at Dallas Cowboys 2026 REG 3 Game Center
- Baltimore Ravens: Ravens Beat Cowboys on Last-Second Field Goal From Tyler Loop
- ESPN: Ravens-Cowboys game recap and final score
- Dallas Cowboys: Game Recap, Cowboys Lose in Rio 34-31
