In a historic matchup in Rio de Janeiro, the Baltimore Ravens (2-1) secured a narrow 34–31 victory over the Dallas Cowboys (1-2). The game-winning moment came after Lamar Jackson completed a 27-yard pass to Zay Flowers and signaled for a timeout with only one second remaining. This allowed Tyler Loop to nail a 56-yard field goal, ending a rapid seven-second drive that delighted the crowd of 72,792 at the NFL’s first game in the city. The Ravens and Cowboys put on a entertaining show in front of a crowd of 72,792 during the NFL’s third game in Brazil and first in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Including a 47-yard catch-and-run to 6ft 7in 265lb tight end Darnell Washington that helped set up Chris Boswell’s go-ahead, 33-yard field goal with 2:18 remaining, rodgers completed 19 of 34 passes.
The Washington Commanders (1-2) dealt the Seattle Seahawks (2-1) their first defeat since last November, snapping a 12-game winning streak that included last season’s Super Bowl run. Marcus Mariota, filling in for the injured Jayden Daniels, threw three touchdown passes, while Kain Medrano added a 50-yard interception return for a score. Despite three turnovers, the Commanders held on to win their home opener. Seattle’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba was a standout in the loss, hauling in 10 catches for 128 yards and two touchdowns. Seattle Seahawks 31-33 Washington Commanders. Lawrence connected with Josh Cameron, Jakobi Meyers and Parker Washington for scores, completing 19 of 29 passes for 182 yards with an interception.
The Las Vegas Raiders (3-0) remain undefeated under rookie coach Klint Kubiak after erasing an 11-point second-half deficit to beat the New Orleans Saints (1-2) by a score of 35-27. Kirk Cousins was pivotal in the comeback, passing for 248 yards and three touchdowns. The ball went backward and was ruled a fumble that was recovered by the Raiders. Rookie Sebastian Joseph-Day fell on the ball.
In a clash of veteran quarterbacks, Aaron Rodgers led the Pittsburgh Steelers past the Cincinnati Bengals with a 30–27 win. Rodgers finished with 292 passing yards and three touchdowns, outdueling Joe Burrow to help Pittsburgh rebound from their previous loss to New England. Pittsburgh bounced back from a miserable performance in a loss to New England to blunt some of Cincinnati’s early momentum. But Burrow fumbled after being sacked by Derrick Harmon, cincinnati had a chance late.
The Denver Broncos (2-1) climbed to a 30-26 win over the Los Angeles Rams (1-2) on Sunday Night Football, sealed by Talanoa Hufanga’s interception on the final play. Hufanga, who also returned a pick for a touchdown earlier in the contest, capitalized on a pass from Matthew Stafford to end the Rams’ hopes.
The Indianapolis Colts (1-2) snapped a five-game losing streak against the Houston Texans (0-3) with a 19-17 victory. Spencer Shrader provided the difference, kicking four field goals, including a decisive 53-yarder with 16 seconds on the clock. Houston’s Will Anderson Jr. had a standout defensive performance with 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble, though the Texans were unable to overcome the Colts.
Elsewhere, the Jacksonville Jaguars dominated the New England Patriots 35–6, fueled by three touchdown passes from Trevor Lawrence. The Buffalo Bills (2-1) overcame five turnovers to edge the Los Angeles Chargers (0-3) 24-16, with Josh Allen scoring two rushing touchdowns, including a go-ahead one-yard plunge.
The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-16, highlighted by an 86-yard punt return from Myles Price and a 41-yard touchdown pass from Kyler Murray to Jordan Addison. The game ended on a sour note for Tampa Bay as Baker Mayfield suffered a thumb injury late in the fourth quarter.
The Kansas City Chiefs (3-0) moved to 3-0 after a 24-10 win over the Miami Dolphins (0-3), with Patrick Mahomes throwing for two touchdowns. Meanwhile, the San Francisco 49ers held off the Arizona Cardinals 36-30, powered by four touchdown passes from Brock Purdy, despite sustaining injuries to Mike Evans and Trent Williams.
The Detroit Lions (2-1) narrowly edged the New York Jets (1-2) 35-31 behind a dominant performance from Jahmyr Gibbs, who scored three touchdowns. In other tight contests, the Cleveland Browns (2-1) rallied late to beat the Carolina Panthers (1-2) 21-18, and the New York Giants picked up a 12-7 win over the Tennessee Titans, though they lost Brian Burns to a knee injury.
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