The Cowboys got the kind of Sunday night they needed, and Caleb Downs made sure it ended with a little extra meaning.
Dallas rolled past the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium, getting back in the win column with a performance that looked nothing like the sluggish start they had in Week One. CeeDee Lamb set the tone early, catching five passes for 89 yards and a touchdown in the first quarter alone. By the time the night was over, he had piled up eight receptions for 153 yards and two scores, including Dak Prescott’s franchise record-setting throw.
The defense had its moments too. Washington was held to 20 points, and Dee Winters helped force the issue with a fumble recovery.
Winters led the Cowboys with seven solo tackles and nine total, while Downs matched him with nine tackles of his own. For the rookie defensive back, it was another strong showing to open his NFL career.
Then came the postgame scene.
Downs met up with former Ohio State teammate Sonny Styles, and the two shared a jersey swap after their first game against one another as division rivals. The Commanders took Styles with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, while the Cowboys grabbed Downs at No. 11.
Their bond goes back to Columbus, where they anchored Ohio State’s defense on the way to the 2024 national championship and both earned All-American honors. Now they’re trying to do the same thing at the pro level, just in different uniforms.
Through two games, Downs has already put together 17 total tackles, one quarterback hit, one sack and one forced fumble. That’s the kind of start that has Dallas believing he can become a long-term answer in the secondary and a future leader on defense.
His next test comes fast. After facing Jaxson Dart and Jayden Daniels in his first two NFL games, Downs will see another major challenge in Week 3 when the Cowboys take on Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Kickoff is set for 4:25 p.m. ET on CBS.
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Cowboys Rookie May Have Given Dallas A New Answer On Defense
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The most memorable moment came when Barham forced a fumble that led to a touchdown, the kind of play that can change how a staff views a young defender fast. There were also a few uneasy moments along the way, including a brief exit because of injury and a stretch of illness on the field, but the broader takeaway was hard to miss: Dallas may have found a rookie who can handle more than expected when the defense needs answers. [Read more 🡒]