From March lookout to first-class flight: the Dallas Cowboys' preparation for the NFL Rio Game

== sync, corrected by elderman == @elder_man

Background: operation mounted since February

The Dallas Cowboys' trip to Rio de Janeiro began to be drawn in February, when the team learned it would play its first international game as a host.

Another plane full of equipment arrived in Brazil before the Texan team landed this week. Although the NFL has many games on prime time American TV, the game in Rio required a different adaptation to the team's routine.

Development: Short week after victory and American Airlines flight

The Cowboys defeated the Washington Commanders on Sunday, September 20.[1] On Monday, the players took a break and coach Brian Schottenheimer followed a short-week plan with practice on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.[2] Boarding for Rio was done in an American Airlines Boeing 777-300ER, and most of the athletes were seated first class.

Schottenheimer's sports science department, which includes physical preparation committee, strength trainers, nutrition and analysis team made recommendations for this atypical week. As the coach himself explained, players adhered to recovery and massages, and the team spent a lot of money on recovery items and new features such as saunas and things like that in the training room.

Final adjustments: training at Flamengo, visit to Maracanã and pre-game routine

After arriving in Brazil on the night of Thursday, September 24, the Cowboys trained quickly on Friday, 25, at Flamengo's training center.

For CeeDee Lamb, the team's wide receiver, routine is preparation, and preparation is everything. In his vision, going out on the field every day, running the routes during the week, making mistakes and hits, racing against different covers and getting it right are all part of confidence for the game.

Von Miller, a linebacker who has played two international games in his career, sees strategic value in the NFL's presence outside of the United States.[citation needed] He recognizes that it is challenging for players but considers it worthwhile for the future of the sport.

What's at stake: the first NFL game in Rio

The Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens face off this Sunday, September 27, at 5:25 p.m., for Week 3 of the season.

Where is the story now?

In Saturday's schedule, the Cowboys were in the final stage of adapting to Rio: logistics completed, light training at the hotel and a quick visit to Maracanã, while the team entered the routine of the international game that brings the NFL to the carioca field.