Ravens grab last-second win in Rio as Commanders stop Seahawks / Photo: MAURO PIMENTEL - AFP
Ravens grab last-second win in Rio as Commanders stop Seahawks
The Baltimore Ravens beat the Dallas Cowboys 34-31 in the NFL's first-ever game in Rio de Janeiro as the Washington Commanders and backup quarterback Marcus Mariota stunned Seattle 33-31 Sunday.
The first NFL game at Brazil's iconic Maracana, where the build-up had been dominated by concerns over the soccer stadium's patchy surface, proved to be a breathless thriller decided by a final kick.
With Derrick Henry at his unstoppable best, rushing for two early touchdowns, the Baltimore Ravens opened a 24-13 lead in the third quarter.
The Cowboys scored 15 without reply to edge ahead, before Ravens rookie Matt Hibner grabbed a touchdown back. Deep in the red zone, Dallas could not force a touchdown, but a field goal with seven seconds remaining appeared to force overtime.
Instead, Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson hurled the ball 26 yards to Zay Flowers, and immediately called a timeout with one second left on the clock.
Tyler Loop converted a 56-yard field goal to prompt wild celebrations.
"Major, major credit to those guys straining all the way till the end," said Ravens coach Jesse Minter.
"We felt like we had time to maybe get the ball in range. Unbelievable play by Lamar and Zay, and then obviously Tyler Loop."
Earlier Sunday, reeling from two losses and an injury to franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels, the Washington Commanders turned to 32-year-old journeyman Mariota.
He completed three passing touchdowns to hand the reigning Super Bowl champion Seahawks their first loss of the season, and snap Seattle's 12-game winning streak.
Seattle's loss came despite their own star quarterback Sam Darnold returning from injury to pass for 379 yards and four touchdowns, with two interceptions.
Mariota sent early touchdown passes Rachaad White and Treylon Burks, before his 30-yard hurl to Terry McLaurin opened a 14-point advantage.
Seattle fought back to 24-24. But after a Commanders field goal, Darnold's pass was picked by Kain Medrano, a special teams player and backup linebacker, who raced 50 yards to make it 33-24.
Seahawks pulled back a touchdown but Washington held on.
"That was unbelievable... the more that adversity hits, the more that circumstances pin us against the wall, these guys find a way," said Mariota.
- Tight finishes -
On a Sunday packed with tight finishes, Jahmyr Gibbs and the Detroit Lions saw off a spirited Jets fightback, winning 31-24.
New York's Garrett Wilson took a superb 4th down catch from Geno Smith that was ruled a touchdown on video review, tying the game 24-24.
But the joy was short-lived. Gibbs rushed for his third touchdown, Wilson departed injured, and Jets quarterback Smith was sacked on 4th down to snuff out any hope.
Cleveland quarterback DeShaun Watson, making his home season debut after being booed by his own fans in the offseason, led the Browns to a last-gasp 21-18 win over Carolina.
In the final year of a $230 million five-year contract ravaged by injuries and off-field controversy, Watson threw for two touchdowns, including a go-ahead 14-yard sling to Harold Fannin Jr. under two minutes left.
Pittsburgh bagged a late win against Cincinnati. Veteran Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers shook off recent offensive woes with three touchdowns.
The Bengals took a fourth-quarter lead, but two field goals and a late strip-sack of Joe Burrow sealed the Steelers win 30-27.
The Indianapolis Colts needed a 53-yard field goal with 21 seconds remaining to beat the Houston Texans 19-17.
- Bills, Chiefs win -
The Buffalo Bills defeated the winless Los Angeles Chargers 24-16, despite committing five turnovers.
The San Francisco 49ers never trailed the Arizona Cardinals in a 36-30 win featuring four touchdown passes from Brock Purdy and two endzone receptions for George Kittle.
Kansas City were comfortable 24-10 winners over Miami, while New England -- last year's Super Bowl loser -- was thrashed 35-6 by Jacksonville.
Quarterback Kyler Murray returned from concussion in a 23-16 Minnesota win at Tampa Bay, while Las Vegas beat New Orleans 35-27.
The Tennessee Titans remain 0-3, as quarterback Cam Ward threw a disastrous interception on a potentially winning drive against the New York Giants, who won 12-7.
M.F.Schmitz--JdB
