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By Jon Machota
Sept. 20, 2026 Updated 7:46 pm CDT
ARLINGTON, Texas — An explosive offense. A defense that was at least mildly improved over last year’s version. A quarterback in full control, and a final outcome that was rarely in doubt.
The Dallas Cowboys got their season back on track with a comfortable 37-20 win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday. The game turned when Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels exited with an elbow injury at halftime, but the Cowboys were already on their way to erasing last week’s disappointment by then, and they were rarely threatened in the second half.
Quarterback Dak Prescott threw four touchdown passes, passing Tony Romo for the most in franchise history, and CeeDee Lamb had a monster afternoon with eight catches for 153 yards and two of those scores.
Here are some of the biggest takeaways from a win that moved Dallas to 1-1.
What was the biggest difference for the Cowboys between Weeks 1 and 2?
The defense showed it could at least be OK after Week’s 1 28-20 loss to the New York Giants. The offense was much improved on Sunday, but the defense is the big question mark with this team. If it can be at least solid, this is a playoff team. But can it be solid against good teams? That remains to be seen. We should know more after the Cowboys host the Baltimore Ravens next Sunday.
The Cowboys have two quality defensive pieces to build around in defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and rookie defensive back Caleb Downs. But that’s not enough. This still looks like a group that’s short on talent. They’ll likely get better in first-year coordinator Christian Parker’s scheme the longer they are in it, but they probably need another offseason like the past one, in which almost all of the heavy lifting is focused on improving the defensive talent.
Did Christian Parker’s defense figure things out in the second half, or was that more about Washington’s QB?
They looked better than last Sunday night against the Giants. That doesn’t mean they were good. They did enough to help Dallas win, although there were no sacks and just one forced turnover. Not sure that effort would be enough to beat a good team, or even Washington, had Daniels not exited with that gruesome elbow injury right before halftime. But it was a step in the right direction.
There were some head-scratching moments, like the cushion allowed in zone coverage on a third-and-18 in the first half; Daniels converted on a pass to Terry McLaurin. There were also some notable injuries: starting safety P.J. Locke and starting cornerback Cobie Durant didn’t play in the second half. But the communication appeared to be better, so that’s something they can build on. This still doesn’t look like a group that can stop Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry next week, but then again, who had Baltimore losing to the New Orleans Saints?
Dak Prescott passed Tony Romo’s franchise record for most passing touchdowns. How significant is that mark?
It’s significant because it’s a notable record on a team that has had Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach at quarterback. However, it doesn’t really matter much when you factor in what Aikman and Staubach won: a combined five Super Bowls. Like Romo, Prescott needs to win in the playoffs. That’s what will ultimately determine his legacy in Dallas.
The good news for him and the Cowboys is that he continues to improve. He’s playing the best ball of his career, and he had a 143.8 passer rating on Sunday. When guard Tyler Smith returns from his thumb injury, the offensive line should only get better. Add that in with Lamb, George Pickens, Jake Ferguson and Javonte Williams and there’s the possibility of huge numbers and more records. But will that be enough if the defense doesn’t take some major steps in the next couple of months?
Sept. 20, 2026 Updated 7:46 pm CDT
ARLINGTON, Texas — An explosive offense. A defense that was at least mildly improved over last year’s version. A quarterback in full control, and a final outcome that was rarely in doubt.
The Dallas Cowboys got their season back on track with a comfortable 37-20 win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday. The game turned when Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels exited with an elbow injury at halftime, but the Cowboys were already on their way to erasing last week’s disappointment by then, and they were rarely threatened in the second half.
Quarterback Dak Prescott threw four touchdown passes, passing Tony Romo for the most in franchise history, and CeeDee Lamb had a monster afternoon with eight catches for 153 yards and two of those scores.
Here are some of the biggest takeaways from a win that moved Dallas to 1-1.
What was the biggest difference for the Cowboys between Weeks 1 and 2?
The defense showed it could at least be OK after Week’s 1 28-20 loss to the New York Giants. The offense was much improved on Sunday, but the defense is the big question mark with this team. If it can be at least solid, this is a playoff team. But can it be solid against good teams? That remains to be seen. We should know more after the Cowboys host the Baltimore Ravens next Sunday.
The Cowboys have two quality defensive pieces to build around in defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and rookie defensive back Caleb Downs. But that’s not enough. This still looks like a group that’s short on talent. They’ll likely get better in first-year coordinator Christian Parker’s scheme the longer they are in it, but they probably need another offseason like the past one, in which almost all of the heavy lifting is focused on improving the defensive talent.
Did Christian Parker’s defense figure things out in the second half, or was that more about Washington’s QB?
They looked better than last Sunday night against the Giants. That doesn’t mean they were good. They did enough to help Dallas win, although there were no sacks and just one forced turnover. Not sure that effort would be enough to beat a good team, or even Washington, had Daniels not exited with that gruesome elbow injury right before halftime. But it was a step in the right direction.
There were some head-scratching moments, like the cushion allowed in zone coverage on a third-and-18 in the first half; Daniels converted on a pass to Terry McLaurin. There were also some notable injuries: starting safety P.J. Locke and starting cornerback Cobie Durant didn’t play in the second half. But the communication appeared to be better, so that’s something they can build on. This still doesn’t look like a group that can stop Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry next week, but then again, who had Baltimore losing to the New Orleans Saints?
Dak Prescott passed Tony Romo’s franchise record for most passing touchdowns. How significant is that mark?
It’s significant because it’s a notable record on a team that has had Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach at quarterback. However, it doesn’t really matter much when you factor in what Aikman and Staubach won: a combined five Super Bowls. Like Romo, Prescott needs to win in the playoffs. That’s what will ultimately determine his legacy in Dallas.
The good news for him and the Cowboys is that he continues to improve. He’s playing the best ball of his career, and he had a 143.8 passer rating on Sunday. When guard Tyler Smith returns from his thumb injury, the offensive line should only get better. Add that in with Lamb, George Pickens, Jake Ferguson and Javonte Williams and there’s the possibility of huge numbers and more records. But will that be enough if the defense doesn’t take some major steps in the next couple of months?