The final score may suggest that the Dallas Cowboys coasted to a victory on Sunday, but it wasn't until 3:07 left in regulation that Dak Prescott delivered the kill shot, connecting with CeeDee Lamb from 24 yards out to give Dallas a 37-20 advantage.
While Prescott was the catalyst behind the win, it was Jaishawn Barham who was responsible for swinging the momentum fully in the Cowboys' favor.
With 7:14 left in the third quarter and Dallas clinging to a 20-13 lead, Barham snuffed out a wide receiver screen and delivered a thunderous hit on Dyami Brown to jar the ball loose. Dee Winters recovered the fumble, and two plays later, Prescott and Jake Ferguson linked up for a 12-yard touchdown to put the Cowboys in firm control.
CeeDee Lamb was asked about Barham's impact, and it's safe to say he is fully sold on the rookie linebacker.
"I just know a dawg when I see one, and I know my teammates, you know what I'm saying?" Lamb said, via Cowboys reporter Patrik Walker.
CeeDee Lamb knows the Cowboys got a future star in Jaishawn Barham
In truth, you don't even have to be Barham's teammate to notice his aura. The training camp highlights, reports about his demeanor, and even his reluctance to talk to the media are telltale signs of a player who wants nothing more than to be great. It's all football with Barham, which has left a lasting impression on his teammates.
"I'm with these guys every single day, and have been with them since the spring," Lamb added. "You get a good feel of a guy and how passionate he is about it, how much love he has for this game.
"It's every day in how he prepares, how he approaches the game. I know Jaishawn. He's a dawg, man. He don't mean no harm. He just wants to go play ball, and exceed."
This was the exact performance many expected from Barham after his viral sideline interaction with defensive coordinator Christian Parker in Week 1.
It wasn't an argument. Barham wasn't happy with the defense's showing or his performance. He's a passionate player, and he channeled it into an excellent outing.
Jaishawn Barham was awesome in his first career start
While Barham's fumble was the turning point of the game -- other than Jayden Daniels' injury, of course -- his impact was felt in all four quarters.
Making his first-ever start in place of the injured DeMarvion Overshown, the third-round pick finished with six tackles, one pressure, and a team-high four defensive stops. He didn't miss a tackle, according to Pro Football Focus, and only allowed nine yards in coverage.
All while playing MIKE linebacker and wearing the green dot. While green-dot responsibilities can be overblown, Barham is a 22-year-old rookie who played edge rusher and off-ball linebacker in college. While the defense still looked out of sorts at times -- and he had some missteps of his own -- it's more than fair to say that he aced his first test of being the D's quarterback.
It's going to take Barham a few weeks to settle into the position, but he's going to be a very good player. The Cowboys would be smart to keep him at the MIKE and let him grow into the role.
There will be more growing pains along the way -- and Barham's viral double puke in the second half proves he needs to get in better shape to be a three-down linebacker -- but reps are the only way he'll learn to see the game faster. Dallas shouldn't let a few rookie mistakes get in the way of the bigger picture.
Barham has the instincts, physicality, and mentality to become a fixture in this defense. Now the Cowboys need to give him the runway to get there.
It's like Lamb said: They got a dawg.
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