The Dallas Cowboys are finally in the win column. After an opening-week disappointment, the offense delivered the explosive performance many expected, powering a 37-20 home win over the Washington Commanders.
Dak Prescott was outstanding, completing 26 of 31 passes for 279 yards and four touchdowns while becoming the franchise’s all-time leader in career passing TDs. CeeDee Lamb led the way with eight catches for 153 yards and two scores, including a contested touchdown over Commanders cornerback
Mike Sainristil that served as the exclamation point.
Questions remain on defense, particularly against mobile quarterbacks and on third downs, but Dallas’ offense clicked on all cylinders while Washington repeatedly beat itself. The three-score victory hinged on a handful of pivotal plays that could have flipped the outcome. Here are five that decided the game.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt’s toss play stalls a promising drive
Even with a 10-0 lead, Washington showed early life. Jayden Daniels found a rhythm, mixing accurate throws with back-breaking runs. After converting a third-and-18 with a connection to Terry McLaurin, Daniels scrambled 18 yards to get Washington in the red zone.
Two plays later, running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt couldn’t corral an errant Jayden Daniels’ pitch, resulting in a 13-yard loss that killed the drive. Washington settled for a field goal, and the momentum stayed with Dallas.
Dan Quinn passes on points
The game’s decisive swing came at the end of the second quarter. Trailing 17-10, the Commanders drove deep into Dallas territory. Daniels scrambled effectively (including a big run on the drive), and Washington reached first-and-goal at the 1 with 12 seconds remaining. Most expected at least a field goal to cut the deficit to four.
Instead, Quinn went for the touchdown. Cobie Durant blanketed McLaurin on first down. Daniels threw the ball away on second down to save time. On third down, Daniels stumbled after getting stepped on by a lineman coming out from under center, injured his non-throwing elbow in the process, and flung a desperation underhanded incomplete pass as the half ended.
The Cowboys escaped without surrendering points. Daniels was carted off and ruled out; the injury is expected to sideline him for a significant time. Washington also wasted a lengthy drive and the chance to receive the second-half kickoff with a chance to take the lead.
Officials wipe a potential tying touchdown off the board
Without Daniels to open the third quarter, Washington still answered the challenge. A kickoff penalty gave them excellent field position at their own 40, and they quickly marched into the red zone looking to tie the game.
On second-and-9 from the Dallas 29, Marcus Mariota hit Dyami Brown on a pass that looked like a touchdown. Brown appeared to secure the ball with his knee down in bounds. Officials ruled it incomplete on the field. Multiple replays suggested a catch, but the call stood after review. Washington settled for a field goal, and Dallas kept the lead.
Rookie Jaishawn Barham rips the ball free at the perfect time
Dallas’ defense had struggled to capitalize on takeaways the previous week. This time they delivered when it counted.
After trading field goals, the Commanders were still within a score and tried to exploit Dallas’ aggression with a wide-receiver screen to Brown. Rookie linebacker Jaishawn Barham read it perfectly, beat the block, and stripped the ball.
Dee Winters was on the spot to recover the loose ball in Commanders territory. Two plays later, Prescott threaded a strike to Jake Ferguson for another touchdown, extending the lead and shifting the game firmly in Dallas’ favor.
Antonio Williams’ near-miss to a wide-open McLaurin
Terry McLaurin remains Washington’s top playmaker, but the Commanders couldn’t fully utilize him. He was targeted nine times yet finished with just two catches for 50 yards. The most painful miss came on a gadget play.
Facing a growing deficit, offensive coordinator David Blough reached deep into the playbook. Mariota lateraled to receiver Antonio Williams, who then threw downfield to a wide-open McLaurin after DaRon Bland lost track of him. The pass forced an awkward adjustment and bounced off McLaurin’s fingertips. A similar trick play on the next play also failed, and a missed field goal effectively ended any realistic comeback hopes.
