Ravens at Cowboys predictions, picks and odds for NFL Week 3 game - USA Today

Baltimore and Dallas take identical 1-1 records to Rio de Janeiro for the NFL's first regular season game in the Brazilian city. Dallas is the designated home team for Sunday's matchup at Maracanã Stadium, adding another international setting to a series between two teams with postseason expectations.

The Ravens are attempting to respond to a 24-17 loss to New Orleans. Baltimore led 14-3 but scored only three points in the second half. Lamar Jackson passed for 235 yards and a touchdown, while Derrick Henry rushed 16 times for 68 yards and a score. The Saints ultimately took control with a 16-play fourth-quarter touchdown drive, limiting Baltimore's opportunity to answer. That result followed the Ravens' 41-23 season-opening victory over Indianapolis.

Dallas, meanwhile, produced its best offensive performance of the young season in a 37-20 victory over Washington. Dak Prescott completed 26 of 31 passes for 279 yards and four touchdowns, becoming the Cowboys' career leader in touchdown passes. CeeDee Lamb caught eight passes for 153 yards and two scores. The Cowboys' secondary enters the week with health questions involving cornerback Cobie Durant and safeties Malik Hooker and P.J. Locke.

Their availability could influence how Dallas approaches Jackson and a Baltimore passing game that may also be without Zay Flowers, who missed Week 2 with a hamstring injury. Offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley and defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike are among the other Ravens whose status bears watching. Baltimore's run game presents Dallas with the combined challenges of containing Henry between the tackles and accounting for Jackson on designed runs and scrambles. Dallas will counter with Prescott's timing-based passing game and Lamb's ability to produce after the catch.

Playing conditions will also receive attention after heavy rain in Rio raised questions about the grass surface, although the NFL has said preparations remain on schedule.

Welcome to the weekend's most chaotic game. Baltimore is coming off a stunning collapse against New Orleans, while Dallas suddenly looks dangerous after Dak Prescott threw four touchdowns and CeeDee Lamb produced 153 yards in a rout of Washington. Now they meet in Rio de Janeiro, where the questionable field conditions may provide as much intrigue as either roster. Dallas' battered secondary is an inviting target for Lamar Jackson, particularly if Zay Flowers returns from his hamstring injury. The Ravens have concerns of their own, with Ronnie Stanley and multiple defensive linemen banged up, and they just allowed Tyler Shough to orchestrate a 16-play winning drive. This has shootout written all over it. Derrick Henry should find room against Dallas' front, while Prescott and Lamb will generate explosive plays against a Baltimore defense that hasn't looked settled. I trust Jackson slightly more in a close game, but neither defense inspires confidence. Give me the Ravens by a field goal.

Maybe the Ravens aren't quite as scintillating as they first seemed, nor are the Cowboys as hapless as they initially appeared on defense. Still, facing Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry should have Christian Parker on edge. With Zay Flowers potentially returning to the lineup, Baltimore could throw Dallas off balance throughout its international trip. Even if Dak Prescott can help turn this into a shootout, the Ravens seem better suited to prevail in that setting.

Believe it or not, a flight from the United States to Brazil isn't all that much shorter than one to Australia – though the time zone differential is basically negligible, Rio de Janeiro one hour ahead of Baltimore and two ahead of Dallas. The field conditions at Maracanã Stadium could also be a wild card, potentially more so for a player like Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, whose dual threat danger is so reliant on his cutting ability. Could be a matchup with some unique X-factors in play.

Let's go to Rio! OK, how did we get here? The Ravens suffered a Week 2 loss to the ... Saints? Meanwhile, the Cowboys look impressively proficient in the early runs of the 2026 campaign. Now we've got an international game. These are weird to predict, but it feels like a matchup that favors Dak Prescott and Dallas outfit. And I know Rio de Janeiro isn't very high above sea level, but why do I get the feeling Brandon Aubrey kicks a 70-yard field goal?

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