Tyler Loop Hits 56-Yard Winner as Ravens Stun Cowboys in Rio

The Final Seconds in Rio

The Baltimore Ravens secured a dramatic 34-31 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday in Rio de Janeiro. The game came down to a critical choice by the Cowboys in the final seconds of the fourth quarter.

Dallas tied the game at 31 with seven seconds remaining. They had reached the 2-yard line but settled for a 23-yard field goal by Brandon Aubrey.

On the ensuing kickoff, the Cowboys chose to kick a touchback. Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer explained that Aubrey had kicked two balls out of bounds earlier in the game. He wanted to avoid giving Baltimore good field position and hoped to play for overtime. The touchback gave the Ravens the ball on their own 35-yard line with seven seconds left.

Jackson to Flowers

Ravens coach Jesse Minter admitted that any less than seven seconds would have made their final play very difficult. But with the ball at the 35-yard line, quarterback Lamar Jackson went to work.

Jackson completed a 27-yard pass over the middle to wide receiver Zay Flowers. Jackson immediately called a timeout with just one second remaining on the clock.

"Zay ran a great route and I just had to deliver the baby," Jackson said. "He caught it, and as soon as he got down, I said, 'Please see me, ref,' and he did."

Jackson was highly efficient in the final period, completing six of seven passes for 72 yards in the fourth quarter. The Cowboys defense was playing with a depleted secondary due to injuries to Jalen Thompson and Shavon Revel.

Redemption for Loop

With one second left, kicker Tyler Loop stepped up to attempt a 56-yard field goal. He drilled the kick as time expired to win the game.

The moment was sweet redemption for the second-year kicker. In the final game of last season, Loop missed a 44-yard field goal against the Steelers, a mistake that kept Baltimore out of the playoffs.

After the winning kick, Loop celebrated by doing Cristiano Ronaldo's signature celebration in the end zone. His teammates then carried him off on their shoulders.

"We've talked a lot this season about being the best when your best is needed," Loop said. He thanked his teammates for standing behind him after the struggles of last year.