Por Renan Filho · 2026-09-30**Lead**
The Dallas Cowboys’ first regular-season game in South America ended in frustration as a late-game collapse handed the Baltimore Ravens a victory in São Paulo, Brazil, on Sunday. In the aftermath, offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer promised to address the team’s recurring mistakes, while owner Jerry Jones did not mince words about the errors that cost his squad a win. The game, part of the NFL’s continued push into global markets, drew a record crowd of over 60,000 at Arena Corinthians, underscoring the league’s ambition to build a lasting football culture beyond U.S. borders.
**Context**
The matchup marked the NFL’s second regular-season game in Brazil, following the 2024 clash between the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles. For the Cowboys, the trip was both a business opportunity and a cultural milestone. The team engaged in community events, youth clinics, and local media appearances throughout the week, aiming to strengthen the sport’s foothold in a nation where soccer reigns supreme. Yet on the field, the Cowboys’ performance was marred by uncharacteristic errors. Multiple pre-snap penalties, a miscommunication on a critical fourth-down play, and a dropped pass in the end zone in the final minutes allowed the Ravens to escape with a one-score victory.
Jerry Jones, known for his hands-on involvement, addressed the media after the game. According to reports from the Cowboys’ official team website and local Brazilian outlets, Jones pointed specifically to the offensive unit’s lack of discipline. “We can’t have those kinds of mistakes in a game that’s this tight, especially when you’re representing the league in a new market,” Jones was paraphrased as saying by multiple sources. While he stopped short of singling out any player or coach, the message was clear: the Cowboys’ execution must improve if they are to contend in the NFC East.
Brian Schottenheimer, in his second season as offensive coordinator, acknowledged the issues during a brief press conference at the team hotel. He emphasized that the coaching staff would review film and adjust practice routines to eliminate the procedural errors. “We have to be better in situational football,” Schottenheimer said, according to a transcript provided by the Cowboys’ communications department. “The guys are working hard, but we need to clean up the little things that become big things in close games.” The coordinator’s promise comes amid growing scrutiny of the Cowboys’ offensive consistency, which has fluctuated since the departure of former coordinator Kellen Moore.
**Análise**
The significance of this game extends beyond the final score. For the NFL, staging a regular-season contest in Brazil is a deliberate cultural investment. The league has identified Latin America as a key growth region, with an estimated 38 million self-identified NFL fans in Brazil alone, according to league-commissioned surveys. The Cowboys, with their iconic star and global brand, were a natural choice to headline the event. However, the team’s sloppy performance risks reinforcing stereotypes about American football being a chaotic, penalty-ridden spectacle to uninitiated viewers. Cultural observers note that first impressions matter: a crisp, well-executed game would have done more to convert casual fans than a disjointed one filled with gaffes.
For the Cowboys organization, the Brazil trip also highlights the tension between commercial expansion and competitive focus. Jerry Jones has long championed the “America’s Team” brand worldwide, but the logistical challenges of international travel—time zone changes, unfamiliar stadiums, and shorter preparation windows—can disrupt a team’s rhythm. Schottenheimer’s pledge to improve is not just about X’s and O’s; it is about restoring the discipline that has defined successful Cowboys teams in the past. If the offensive unit fails to correct these issues, the loss in São Paulo could become a turning point in a season that began with Super Bowl aspirations.
**Fontes**
- Dallas Cowboys official website (team statements and press conference transcripts) - NFL Communications (game attendance figures and international market data) - Brazilian sports media reports (local coverage of the event and crowd reactions) - ESPN and NFL Network post-game analysis (context on penalties and game flow)