The Baltimore Ravens secured a 34-31 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, capping off one of the most dramatic finishes in NFL history. Tyler Loop drilled a 56-yard field goal as time expired to seal the win, marking the first game since the 1970 merger to feature a go-ahead score in the final seven seconds of regulation.
In Denver, the Denver Broncos completed a 30-26 comeback against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday Night Football, highlighted by Talanoa Hufanga’s end-zone interception and touchdown with no time left. The game capped a Week 3 slate where 12 of 14 games finished within one score—the most in NFL history on a single Sunday.
Week 3’s Wild Finishes
The Ravens’ win in Brazil was the latest in a series of dramatic fourth-quarter comebacks. Dallas led 28-24 in the fourth quarter before Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson connected with rookie Matt Hibner for a two-yard touchdown to take the lead. The Cowboys tied it late, but the Ravens’ defense forced a touchback on the ensuing kickoff, giving Loop the opportunity to win the game from 56 yards. The play followed a nine-yard touchdown by KaVontae Turpin to tie the game at 31-31 with under two minutes remaining.
In Denver, the Broncos erased a 16-0 halftime deficit to tie the game at 23-23 before the Rams reclaimed the lead. Denver answered with a field goal to take a 30-26 lead with 47 seconds left, but Los Angeles drove into field goal range before Matthew Stafford’s final pass fell incomplete as time expired.
Derrick Henry’s Historic Performance
Derrick Henry starred in the Ravens’ win, rushing for 89 yards and two touchdowns in the first half. His performance moved him past Marcus Allen for third place on the NFL’s all-time rushing touchdown list (135), trailing only Emmitt Smith (183) and LaDainian Tomlinson (151). Henry also passed Eric Dickerson to rank ninth in career rushing yards. Through three weeks, he leads the NFL with 212 rushing yards and four touchdowns, averaging 5.3 yards per carry en route to his fifth straight 1,000-yard season.
League-Wide Trends
Week 3 featured 13 games decided by eight points or fewer in the fourth quarter, with six teams winning after go-ahead scores in the final three minutes. The Broncos’ win over the Rams marked the 12th one-score game of the day, shattering the previous record of nine set in Week 1 of the 2021 season.
Coaching and Tactical Decisions
Rams coach Sean McVay acknowledged the difficulty of the loss, stating, “It’s tough. But this is sports.” Meanwhile, Cowboys cheerleaders faced disappointment after their team’s defeat in Brazil, as Dallas’ decision to kick the ball out of the end zone for a touchback gave Baltimore the ball at the 35-yard line with no time remaining. The play drew criticism for its strategic misstep, leaving the Cowboys with insufficient time to respond.
The Broncos’ victory followed early struggles under their new offensive coordinator, as fans booed the team at halftime while trailing 16-0. Denver’s defense, however, stifled the Rams in the second half, allowing just 10 points after the break while the offense mounted a 16-point comeback.
Statistical Highlights
- 12 of 14 Week 3 games finished within one score—the most in NFL history on a single Sunday.
- 13 games were within eight points in the fourth quarter.
- Six teams won after go-ahead scores in the final three minutes.
- Derrick Henry moved into the NFL’s top 10 in career rushing yards and third in career rushing touchdowns.
- Tyler Loop’s 56-yard field goal is the longest game-winning kick in NFL history since at least 1970.