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Dallas Cowboys defensive back Caleb Downs (13) breaks up a second quarter pass that Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) had corralled during the second quarter at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, September 20, 2026. Cowboys cornerback Daron Bland (26) combined for the hit.<\/p>\n
Tom Fox\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n
ARLINGTON \u2014 Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams<\/a> had something to say. He\u2019s one of the two defensive captains on the team for a reason. The team considers him a leader, and after the disappointing loss to the New York Giants in the season opener<\/a>, he sought out cameras and recorders, rather than the alternative.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe guys we got in our locker room, especially on defense, are unbelievable when it comes down to taking constructive criticism and accountability,\u201d Williams said.\u00a0<\/p>\n In essence, he wanted his team to look in the mirror. A week later, the reflection revealed itself, as Cowboys owner Jerry Jones described after a 37-20 win over the Washington Commanders.<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve got to understand,\u201d Jones said, \u201cwe\u2019re working with a work-in-progress on defense.\u201d<\/p>\n Jones then said the defense was better on Sunday against the Commanders than it was against the Giants. And while there\u2019s little question about that fact, a larger question looms. Can the Cowboys afford patience with a defense that progresses at the pace they\u2019ve shown in the first two weeks of the season? Unless the offense continues at its current high-scoring pace, then the defense might have to pick up the pace.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cNew defense, new coaching staff, new players: we\u2019re still finding the flow and getting our feet under us,\u201d Cowboys safety Jalen Thompson said. \u201cI thought today was a big step.\u201d<\/p>\n The score, and the fact the Cowboys are 1-1 instead of 0-2, would suggest that. The performance offered some examples, as well. The miscommunication issues <\/a>that plagued the Cowboys a week ago were mostly quelled. They had physicality against the Commanders that they lacked against the Giants, though some credit for that difference goes to the Cowboys’ opponents. At the least, they looked like they were in the right position, which was a concern with rookie third-round pick Jaishawn Barham making his first career start at inside linebacker and as the team\u2019s green-dot communicator.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Cowboys’ defense allowed the Giants to convert on nine of their 11 third-down attempts in Week 1. This week, the Cowboys allowed a 50% conversion rate.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n And yet, as multiple players said, there\u2019s still room for improvement.\u00a0<\/p>\n Once again, the Cowboys struggled to contain the running ability of an opposing quarterback. Last week it was Jaxson Dart who ran for over 50 yards. This week it was Jayden Daniels, who eclipsed that mark in one half. He had 69 yards on seven attempts at halftime.<\/p>\n \u201cJayden did a good job today getting out of the pocket or going through the pocket to the rush. We\u2019ve got to tighten that up, obviously,\u201d Cowboys outside linebacker Donovan Ezeiruaku said.<\/p>\n Daniels was a problem that didn\u2019t persist after halftime, however. On the final play of the first half, he suffered a dislocated left elbow <\/a>when the Commanders were trying to score from the 1-yard line. Instead of a game-tying touchdown, the Commanders entered the locker room with a touchdown deficit and a second half with a backup quarterback to come. Backup quarterback Marcus Mariota had some success against the Cowboys’ defense. He, too, evaded the pass rush and made some plays. But it wasn\u2019t to the level Daniels displayed in the first half.<\/p>\n If the Commanders had scored at the end of the half, Jones said it would\u2019ve been \u201ca whole different ball game\u201d in the second half. \u201cThat\u2019s the NFL. That\u2019s football the way we had it designed.\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n<\/p>\n