The Cowboys got their first win of the season, as Dak Prescott overtook Tony Romo as the all-time passing touchdown leader.
The Dallas Cowboys took care of business in a 37-20 win over the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium on Sunday to avoid the horror of an 0-2 start.
Dak Prescott became the franchise's all-time leader in passing touchdowns, throwing four to go along with his 279 yards. CeeDee Lamb (8 receptions, 153 yards, 2 TDs) was unstoppable, while the defense did show some improvement, but not enough to be totally happy.
The defense did start well, but was a little up and down, with Jaishawn Barham forcing a fumble, which Dallas recovered.
All in all, it was a game Dallas needed, and it got.
Prior to the game, we highlighted five keys for the Cowboys to win.
Let's see how they did.
1 - Start fast: Grade A
Dallas got the ball first and marched 53 yards in 10 plays for a touchdown as Dak was 5 of 6 for 51 yards and CeeDee Lamb totaled 41 yards on that drive.
The defense then forced a three-and-out, and then the offense responded with a field goal to go up 10-0, thanks to a 38-yard catch from No. 88.
That is exactly what the doctor ordered to begin the game.
2 - Maintain rush integrity: Grade D
We knew how dangerous QB Jayden Daniels is as a runner, but apparently Dallas didn't.
Runs of 18 yards, 25, 20, nine, and 14 had Daniels going for 69 yards on seven carries in the first half, as he had his way with Christian Parker's defense.
Had he not gotten injured - in the form of a gruesome backward-bending elbow to end the first half and maybe to end his immediate availability to Washington - I would imagine Jayden could have surpassed 100 yards on the ground.
3 - Get GOTI rolling: Grade A
Dak and Lamb got the offense rolling in the first half, with Dak going 8 of 11 for 101 yards and Lamb 89 yards in the first quarter.
On Dallas' first three possessions, they scored on all of them, going touchdown, field goal, touchdown.
George Pickens got in on the action, having six receptions for 40 yards, while Jake Ferguson had a day, hauling in four catches for 43 yards and 2 TDs.
In total, 332 total yards of offense, no turnovers, 37 points and a win.
Tick, tick and tick.
4 - Curtail Commanders' dynamic trio: Grade D
Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs had their way with the defense, until Daniels got injured.
Daniels found McLaurin for a conversion on 3rd-and-18 and Terry had a 26-yard gain as well.
Diggs had a touchdown in the first half, as his day ended with 47 yards from five receptions.
Had Daniels not gotten injured, the pair could have put up big numbers in that second half.
5 - Control the line of scrimmage: Grade C
When Dak is your leading rusher, you have problems, as the Cowboys couldn't get the run game going for the second straight week with Javonte Williams.
The offense managed just 66 rushing yards, while the defense couldn't stop Daniels on the ground.
Rachaad White averaged 6.1 yards per run, Kaytron Allen 4.8, and Daniels 9.9, as it was another game that the defensive line couldn't really get penetration...but they did just enough under Parker.
