What happened: Marcus Spears said the Dallas defense will continue to get better heading into the Brazil matchup. Dallas makes the trip after a 28-20 loss to the Giants on Sept. 14.

Why it matters: Defensive trajectory sets the tone for Dallas on a short preparation week abroad. Early grading pointed to progress on both units, making the next performance a check on whether that growth holds.

What to watch: Watch the Dallas defensive rotation in Brazil and whether the reshuffled linebacker depth holds up.