The Dallas Cowboys are 2-7-1 in games played outside the United States heading into Sunday in Brazil.
After watching the blowout on Monday Night Football I think we can safely accuse Jerry Jones of disseminating some fake news.
No, contrary to what the Dallas Cowboys owner offered as an excuse for his team’s Week 1 loss, the New York Giants (having been pounded by the Rams) are not “better than we thought.”
Now, fresh off last weekend’s 37-20 win over the Washington Commanders, the Cowboys are heading south. Waaaaay south, to Brazil. And here’s the thing: Jerry and his team are hoping something else will be better than they think: the playing field at Maracanã Stadium.
Despite Brazilian soccer players highly criticizing the natural grass field recently, the NFL said Monday there are “no concerns” entering Dallas’ Sunday afternoon game against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Cowboys, too, seem confident that the field will be NFL-quality.
“I trust that the league’s going to make the right decision,” coach Brian Schottenheimer said. “They’ll get the field up to standard.”
Added Jerry, “I know that's of utmost concern to the league that the teams have good playing surface down there.”
As you can read below, our Mike Fisher isn't so sure ...
But this much is so: A slippery, sloppy field would only add to the spice of the Cowboys’ history of international games.
I've been lucky enough to attend games in Tokyo, London and Mexico City.
A look at the Cowboys’ games played outside the United States:
1986 - (Preseason) London, England (Wembley Stadium): Bears 17, Cowboys 6
1992 - (Preseason) Tokyo, Japan (Tokyo Dome): Oilers 34, Cowboys 23
1993 - (Preseason London, England (Wembley Stadium): Cowboys 13, Lions 13
1994 - (Preseason) Mexico City, Mexico (Estadio Azteca): Oilers 6, Cowboys 0
1995 - (Preseason) Toronto, Canada (SkyDome): Bills 9, Cowboys 7
1996 - (Preseason) Monterrey, Mexico (Estadio Universitario): Chiefs 32, Cowboys 6
1998 - (Preseason) Mexico City, Mexico (Estadio Azteca): Patriots 21, Cowboys 3
2000 - (Preseason) Tokyo, Japan | Tokyo Dome): Falcons 20, Cowboys 9
2001 - (Preseason) Mexico City, Mexico (Estadio Azteca): Cowboys 21, Raiders 6
2014 - London, England (Wembley Stadium): Cowboys 31, Jaguars 17
2026 - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Maracanã Stadium): Cowboys vs. Ravens
Add it up, and as it happens, the Cowboys are - weirdly - 2-7-1 in games played outside the U.S. ... though on a more positive note, only that 2014 Wembley win over the Jags counted.
We're about to see if the Cowboys can overcome Lamar Jackson's Ravens - and the field conditions - to stay undefeated in international games ... when they actually matter.
