Rookie linebacker Jaishawn Barham created the turning point in Dallas’ 37-20 victory over the Washington Commanders, forcing a fumble early in the third quarter with the Cowboys ahead 20-13. Dee Winters recovered the ball near the Washington goal line, and Dak Prescott followed two plays later with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Jake Ferguson.
Dallas never saw its advantage fall below 10 points and improved to 1-1. The Cowboys defense allowed 389 yards, including 182 on the ground, but Washington had one turnover and scored 20 points. Dallas committed none.
Winters and Caleb Downs each made nine tackles, while Barham finished with seven and the recovery. Safety P.J. Locke left with a foot injury during Washington’s first series, and cornerback Cobie Durant exited before halftime with a hamstring injury, according to the AP.
Prescott completed 26 passes for 279 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. His 24-yard connection with CeeDee Lamb in the fourth quarter gave him 249 career touchdown passes, moving him past Tony Romo’s Dallas record of 248. Lamb had eight catches for 153 yards and two touchdowns.
Ferguson caught two scores, and Brandon Aubrey made kicks from 25, 44 and 60 yards. Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels dislocated his left elbow on the final play of the first half. Dallas next faces Baltimore on Sunday, Sept. 27, at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, with kickoff at 3:25 p.m.
