The Dallas Cowboys entered Week 2 desperately needing a win, and while it wasn’t always easy, they got it against the Washington Commanders in a big divisional matchup.
The story of the game for the Cowboys was their offense, as they put up 37 points and controlled the game throughout. Anytime they needed a big play, they somehow came up with it.
But who were the biggest individual winners and losers for the Cowboys coming out of Week 2? Let’s name ‘em!
Biggest winners and losers from Cowboys' win over the Commanders
Winner: Dak Prescott - QB
Dak Prescott has a pretty good track record of bouncing back after a loss. And while he didn’t play poorly against the Giants, you just knew that he would have a big game on Sunday at home. And he certainly delivered.
The Cowboys went right down the field on the first drive of the game, scoring a quick touchdown to set the tone. They would score on their next two drives, putting up 17 points early in the game. Prescott finished the game completing 26 of 31 passes for 279 yards and four touchdowns as the offense was nearly unstoppable.
Dallas didn’t have much of a run game and yet, Prescott was absolutely on the money all game long. It was a vintage Prescott performance by a team that desperately needed a win.
Winner: CeeDee Lamb - WR
Who was the favorite target of Dak Prescott in Week 2? The same as it ever was.
CeeDee Lamb had nearly 100 receiving yards in the first quarter and helped Dallas get off to a fast start. He also had a huge reception in the fourth quarter to help ice the game away after the Cowboys had a 1st-and-18 after a holding penalty. A few plays later, he hauled in an amazing touchdown grab to put the game away, which was his second of the day.
Lamb has now played exceptionally well in back-to-back weeks and has reminded everyone who the No. 1 receiver in Dallas is, and has been. Lamb looks healthy and back to his All-Pro form, which is scary news for defenses across the NFL.
Winner: Jake Ferguson - TE
Going into Week 2, Jake Ferguson had played three-straight regular season games where he failed to reach seven receiving yards.
But on Sunday, he had a big bounce back, catching two touchdowns. Ferguson’s second touchdown was an incredible grab where he was able to get low in the end zone and hold onto a dime from Prescott. It was a much better performance by Dallas' starting tight end.
It is worth noting that Ferguson left the game late in the fourth quarter after being hit in the head on a boot-action reception. Keep an eye on his status throughout the week, as he could miss the Week 3 game against the Ravens in Brazil.
Loser: Daron Bland - CB
If the Cowboys are going to be better on defense this season, they are going to need their secondary to play better. Unfortunately, that was not the case in Week 2.
Cobie Durant left the game with a hamstring injury, and he struggled mightily before that. Daron Bland is the highest-paid player in the secondary for Dallas, and he was picked on all day by Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota, including biting on a trick play in the third quarter that would have been a walk-in touchdown for Terry McLaurin if not for an errant throw.
The Cowboys restructured Bland's contract before Week 1, and that might prove to be a mistake. Since his record-setting 2023 season, Bland has looked like a shell of himself. And that is a big issue for Dallas moving forward.
Loser: Christian Parker - DC
The Cowboys got a couple of stops in Week 2, but they still have major problems on defense. There were miscommunications all over the field, and Dallas had no answer for Jayden Daniels’ legs in the first half. If it weren’t for a few questionable calls that went Dallas’ way, this would have been another game in which the Cowboys allowed 30+ points.
The Cowboys have major issues on the defensive side of the ball, and now that the injuries are starting to mount, it’s not going to get any easier. For those hoping that Parker would be someone who could solve their defensive woes right away, think again.
This is going to be a really slow burn.
Loser: The injury bug
The worst part of the game for the Cowboys was all of the injuries. Considering their really tough schedule over the next three weeks, they couldn't afford to have this many injuries.
And yet, they lost P.J. Locke, Cobie Durant, Dee Winters, and Jake Ferguson at different points in the game. It remains to be seen how long they will be out, but their depth is certainly being tested, especially on defense, just as their schedule is about to get tougher.
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