Takeaways: Cowboys Overpower Commanders 44–22

For the first time this season, the Dallas Cowboys didn’t just win — they imposed their will.

From quarterback Dak Prescott’s great day to DaRon Bland’s timely pick-six, Sunday’s 44–22 blowout of the Washington Commanders felt like a long-awaited statement from a team still figuring out its identity.

Prescott paced Dallas with three touchdowns and 264 passing yards. He spread connected with CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and Jake Ferguson for touchdowns. Lamb caught a jaw-dropping 74-yard score. Javonte Williams contolled things on the ground, ripping off gains between the tackles. 

“It was great,” Prescott said of the team’s offense. “It was explosive and fun. Our standards and expectations for ourselves is very high, so we understand the playmakers and the offensive line we have. When you do that, I think more of our games will look like this.”

Here are three takeaways from Dallas’ win over Washington:

Dak in Command

Prescott’s line — 264 yards, three touchdowns — only tells part of the story. He played with poise, confidence, and precision rarely seen since the 2022 season.

“I’m a very present guy,” Prescott said. “I take pride in doing that and it takes practice. Going through my reads and we’ve got multiple playmakers… where ever the ball goes, I’m confident the play will be made.”

Lamb’s 74-yard touchdown in the second quarter was perfect example of that rhythm — a perfectly timed route and a ball dropped right in stride.

“At that point, that turned into our touchdown,” Lamb said. “It’s whoever brings the ball in. Many more in the future.”

The Defense’s Defining Moment

Washington was still hanging around in the third quarter, trailing 27–15, when their game took a turn. Quarterback Jayden Daniels pulled up clutching his hamstring after a hit, fumbling on the play.

Moments later, Marcus Mariota’s first pass was picked off by DaRon Bland and returned for six.

“That’s what we do,” Bland said with a grin. “Opportunities — we talk about it every day. Don’t just defend. Change the game.”

The pick-six was Dallas’ fifth defensive touchdown of the season — a reminder that for all the inconsistency, this defense remains built to create chaos.

Washington Falters Amid Injuries

The Commanders’ offense unraveled without Deebo Samuel and Terry McLaurin, and the Daniels injury was a final blow.

Mariota’s veteran steadiness couldn’t overcome Dallas’ pressure or the lack of separation from his receivers.

“Injuries are not the reason that we lost,” Commanders coach Dan Quinn said after the Commanders dropped to third in the NFC East behind the Cowboys. “We’re the ones that got ourselves in a hole, we’re the same ones that have got to dig ourselves out. Make no mistake, we’re not playing to the standard we’ve set.”

Up next:

The Dallas Cowboys are now 3-3-1 on the season and will return to the field next Sunday when they travel to Colorado to face the Denver Broncos (5-2) at 3:25 p.m. CT.