The Baltimore Ravens needed seven seconds, one big completion and one very long field goal to turn a potential overtime finish into a victory in Rio de Janeiro.
Tyler Loop drilled a 56-yard field goal as time expired Sunday, lifting Baltimore to a dramatic 34-31 victory over the Dallas Cowboys and giving the Ravens one of the most memorable finishes of the young season.
The winning sequence unfolded almost impossibly quickly.
Dallas had driven deep into Baltimore territory in the closing seconds with an opportunity to take the lead. The Ravens kept the Cowboys out of the end zone, however, forcing Brandon Aubrey to kick a short field goal that tied the game at 31.
With only seven seconds remaining, overtime appeared to be the obvious destination.
Lamar Jackson had other ideas.
Jackson connected with Zay Flowers for a 27-yard gain that suddenly put Baltimore within striking distance. After the play, the Ravens were able to use their final timeout, and officials restored one second to the clock.
That was all Loop needed.
The second-year kicker stepped onto the field and converted from 56 yards, giving Baltimore the victory on the final play and setting off a celebration as the Ravens escaped a game in which momentum repeatedly changed hands.
Jackson completed 15 of 20 passes for 186 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 50 yards. Flowers caught five passes for 84 yards, and Derrick Henry added 89 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Baltimore’s offense had already delivered under pressure earlier in the fourth quarter. Trailing 28-24, the Ravens moved deep into Dallas territory before Jackson connected with rookie tight end Matt Hibner for a touchdown that gave Baltimore a 31-28 advantage.
Dallas still had plenty of fight left.
Dak Prescott guided the Cowboys back down the field and into position to potentially win the game. A defensive pass interference penalty moved Dallas to the Baltimore 1-yard line, but the Cowboys could not turn the opportunity into seven points. They eventually settled for Aubrey’s tying field goal.
Prescott finished with 276 passing yards and a touchdown. CeeDee Lamb caught seven passes for 112 yards, while George Pickens added seven receptions for 82 yards. Javonte Williams contributed 98 rushing yards and a touchdown.
The Cowboys had opportunities throughout the afternoon to create separation. They jumped ahead 10-0 in the opening quarter and regained the lead in the fourth when KaVontae Turpin scored from nine yards out to make it 28-24.
But Dallas also left openings for Baltimore. A Jake Ferguson fumble stalled one promising possession, and a blocked field goal cost the Cowboys another scoring opportunity.
Baltimore capitalized when it mattered most.
The victory moved the Ravens to 2-1 and dropped the Cowboys to 1-2, but the lasting image belonged to Loop. After a difficult conclusion to the previous season, the kicker found himself facing a pressure-packed attempt with no time remaining.
This time, he delivered.
Seven seconds had been enough for Baltimore to change the ending.
