Field conditions have become one of the biggest storylines surrounding the NFL’s Week 3 matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens. With the two teams preparing to meet Sunday at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, videos and images of the playing surface have raised plenty of questions about whether the field is suitable for an NFL game.
The concerns are not coming from social media alone. Brazilian soccer players have criticized the condition of the grass in recent weeks, while the NFL Players Association has also acknowledged concerns about traction and stability.
Concerns over the Maracanã playing surface
Maracanã has dealt with unusually heavy rainfall over the past several weeks while also hosting regular matches involving Brazilian soccer clubs Flamengo and Fluminense. Soccer players have complained about bumps and deteriorating areas of the field, creating obvious concerns ahead of an NFL game involving players such as Dak Prescott, Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry.
The NFLPA’s executive director, JC Tretter, said Friday that the primary concern entering the week was a surface that could be loose or patchy and lead to excessive slipping. The union’s field experts have been in Brazil alongside NFL personnel, with reinforced stitching and additional equipment used in an effort to improve the field’s traction and stability.
That has made the field a major talking point heading into Sunday’s game, particularly after footage from the stadium showed a surface that appeared far from ideal.
There is also history here. The NFL’s first game in Brazil, between the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers in 2024, featured players from both teams struggling with the playing surface and changing cleats because of slipping issues.
NFL says the field is ready to go
Despite the concerns, the NFL is pushing back against the idea that the game is in jeopardy.
NFL field director Nick Pappas said Saturday that an independent inspector evaluated the field alongside NFL and NFLPA representatives, and the results “check out.” Pappas added that additional improvements had been made and said there was no need to worry about the surface.
That represents an important distinction from the images circulating online. The field may look concerning, but the NFL currently considers it playable and compliant with its standards.
The Cowboys and Ravens are therefore still scheduled to play Sunday at Maracanã. The field will remain something to watch once the game begins, particularly if players experience slipping or footing problems.
For now, however, the NFL’s official position is clear: the Cowboys-Ravens matchup is moving forward as scheduled in Brazil.
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