Nobody with the Dallas Cowboys is pleased about the defensive performance in Week 1 against the New York Giants. Defensive tackle Kenny Clark said they’re focused on Washington and improving the mistakes made in Week 1, mainly communication.

“It’s not always as good as this. It’s not always as bad as this. I mean, you gotta just come out and do your part. You know what I’m saying? Do your job. And at the end of the day, communication,” Clark said.

Clark disagreed with the notion that the Giants were more physical than Dallas.

“I don’t think it was a problem with the physicality. I think our front, we really played the blocks well. Most of the guys, what we’ve been talking about, too, is just find ways to do more,” Clark said.

Clark said the work starts now to make sure this is not a repeat of the 2025 defense.

“Urgency, you know, leaning on our work. You know, come in and attack the week the right way. Having a great week, and we’re playing ball. We know when we get there on Sunday,” Clark said. “It’s all stuff that we can control. And, you know, we’ll get that fixed.”

Defensive end Rashan Gary was not on the team last season, but he recognizes the pressure is on.

“I really can’t say, you know, what the breakdowns were, but, you know, just certain, you know, formations that were giving, you know, different checks that we have in different cars to get guys in different positions to, you know, help us go off the field. That was, you know, the breakdown,” Gary said.

Gary said that while there are lots of new faces on the defense, they feel like things are coming together.

“Being able to have, you know, all 11 on the same page, understanding where we went wrong, understanding what needs to be fixed. But, you know, we’ve been taking steps in the right direction. And that was our first time underneath the lights. everything and every mistake that was made is it’s physical. And, you know, we could look ourselves in the mirror and make sure that we do what we got to do to come back,” Gary said.

Gary said the focus will be on containing Jayden Daniels’ legs as a dual-threat quarterback.

“He’s a playmaker on top of the guys that they got, you know, on the outside. You know, understanding that’s the type of guy that, you know, it doesn’t matter what the down and distance is, that he’s going to try to extend plays. And we’ve got to make sure we account for him,” Gary said.

Gary said he still has confidence in new defensive coordinator Christian Parker.