NFL says Maracanã Stadium field passed required tests before Cowboys-Ravens kickoff

NFL field director Nick Pappas met with reporters on Saturday, one day before the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys are set to play . Pappas said that all mandatory requirements have been met regarding the surface, and testing was done in conjunction with the NFLPA and an independent specialist.

"We have an independent inspector that comes in, walks with myself, walks with a member of the NFLPA," Pappas said. "They were here yesterday. Performed that test. Things check out. We've made additional improvements to the field that we think were helpful."

Pappas added that the league has visited the stadium once a month since January for regular checkups. The region has seen a lot of rainfall of late, plus games played by soccer clubs Flamengo and Fluminense, including one last Sunday.