Moments before the Zion Young selection, the NFL delivered historic news for the Ravens: a Week 3 game against the Dallas Cowboys in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The marquee matchup will be played at Maracanã Stadium on Sunday, September 27, at 4:25 p.m. ET, highlighting a landmark regular-season venue for the league.
The Rio game is part of a broader expansion push and showcases two storied franchises meeting in a first-of-its-kind setting for regular-season play. The NFL’s announcement underscored the league’s ongoing international growth and the appeal of Brazil’s capital as a football market.
Young’s addition complements Baltimore’s pass-rush group, joining a veteran core that includes four-time Pro Bowler Trey Hendrickson. The pairing gives the Ravens multiple rushing threats and could influence how they deploy defensive fronts and blitz packages in 2026 and beyond.
This draft strategy reflects Baltimore GM Eric DeCosta’s approach to balancing line play on both sides of the ball. By adding a disruptive edge rusher in Young while opting for a strong interior addition in Vega Ioane earlier in the draft, the Ravens aim to create versatile, high-pressure fronts for a defense that expects to contend in a competitive AFC.
As the Ravens prepare for a pivotal season, the franchise remains focused on integrating rookies into a cohesive system while pursuing immediate improvements on defense. The Rio de Janeiro game provides a high-profile stage to showcase the team’s evolving roster and coaching staff’s plans for peak performance in 2026.
