The Dallas Cowboys avoided the worst-case scenario. With their backs against the wall, Dallas toppled the Washington Commanders 37-20 at AT&T Stadium.
It wasn't technically a must-win game, but going 0-2 would have put the Cowboys in an early hole that could have swallowed their season. It wasn't pretty, but all that mattered was winning and getting the season back on track. That was accomplished.
The schedule is about to get really difficult, but we can all enjoy this win for the next six days. Before turning the page to what's next, let's dive into some instant takeaways from Dallas' first win of the season.
4 instant takeways from the Cowboys' huge win over the Commanders
1. Yes, the Cowboys' offense is still elite
Week 1 was very weird. The offense started off slowly, partly due to Brian Schottenheimer coaching scared. And by the time it found a rhythm, the defense couldn't get off the field. Dak Prescott touched the ball twice in the second half and scored a touchdown on both drives.
Week 2 was a swift reminder that the group is still among the NFL's best.
Even though the run game wasn't explosive, Prescott could not be stopped. He finished 26-of-31 for 279 yards and four touchdowns, giving him the most passing touchdowns in franchise history. It was a surgical performance from Prescott, whose dominance at home against the NFC East continues.
Unlike last week, the Cowboys made a statement to open the game, marching 66 yards on 10 plays to take a 7-0 lead. They were on the front foot for the rest of the contest. That needs to become the norm.
The offense was an efficient 7-of-11 on third down and scored three touchdowns on four red zone trips. All in spite of Washington out-snapping Dallas 67 to 54.
Week 1 was definitely a fluke and a product of a wonky game script. Sunday proved that this is still an elite unit that stands to get even better once Tyler Smith is back starting at left guard.
2. Third-down woes continue
"Surely, Dallas won't be as bad defending third downs as they were against the Giants," was the prevailing sentiment after Week 1. Jaxson Dart was on a heater, and Christian Parker was outclassed in his first game calling a defense. The laws of probability say that Dallas shouldn't allow over a 90 percent conversion rate on defense all season.
Maybe the third-down defense is just that awful.
Before Jayden Daniels' gruesome injury, Washington converted six of nine third downs, including a 3rd-and-18 in the first quarter. A lack of awareness in zone coverage. Not getting enough penetration on short runs. Failing to contain Jayden Daniels. The execution was nowhere to be found.
The Commanders were well on their way to taking control before Daniels' injury changed the complexion of the game. Dallas ultimately took advantage, but that shouldn't obscure how easily Washington moved the chains when the game was still hanging in the balance.
That has to get cleaned up in a hurry. The task only gets harder next week against Lamar Jackson in Brazil, and giving him extra chances to extend drives is a recipe for disaster.
Gulp.
3. Injuries are starting to pile up
Already without DeMarvion Overshown (hamstring) and Malik Hooker (arm) for 1-2 weeks, Dallas endured more injuries at linebacker and safety.
P.J. Locke, who replaced Hooker in the starting lineup, suffered a foot injury in the first quarter. He was initially ruled questionable to return before being ruled out. The fifth-year pro needed multiple members of the training staff to help him off the field as he barely put any pressure on his leg.
In another concerning sight, Dee Winters had his shoulder looked at in the second quarter. He entered the medical tent after contributing to a third-down stop in the red zone that limited Washington to a field goal.
Thankfully, Winters returned to the game after sitting out one drive. Shemar James and Curtis Robinson, who was called up from the practice squad, both subbed in.
Later in the first half, Cobie Durant suffered a hamstring injury after breaking up a pass in the end zone. He was ruled out at halftime. Shavon Revel Jr. tagged in and immediately allowed a long catch-and-run to Terry McLaurin after missing a tackle.
Jayden Daniels' gruesome elbow injury was the story of this game, but the Cowboys are licking an awful lot of wounds coming out of Sunday's victory.
4. Dallas deserved to win, but they did get lucky
In fairness, Dallas was due for some good luck after they forced four fumbles in Week 1 and only recovered one. They got some brutal bounces against the Giants, but the football gods were on their side on Sunday.
On four different occasions, luck was on the Cowboys' side.
A long touchdown to Terry McLaurin got overturned after replay showed that he didn't have control until he was out of bounds.
To open the third quarter, Dyami Brown got screwed out of a touchdown. Brown clearly got a knee down in bounds on a strike from Marcus Mariota, but the refs said otherwise.
Moreover, Daniels overshot a wide-open Treylon Burks, who had five yards of separation and would've had a walk-in touchdown. On a trick play in the third quarter, Antonio Williams underthrew Terry McLaurin in the end zone. There wasn't a Cowboys defender within 15 yards of McLaurin.
And, of course, Daniels got stepped on by an offensive lineman on 4th-and-goal on the final play of the first half. You can't guarantee they would have scored, but the freak accident is ultimately what preserved Dallas' 17-10 lead when it felt like the game was swinging.
A win is a win, but there are plenty of things to clean up.
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