Jerry Jones did not sound like an owner trying to smooth things over.
Two days before the Cowboys meet the Washington Commanders in an NFC East showdown, Jones used his weekly spot on 105.3 The Fan to make it clear he wants more - and fast - from a team that opened the season with a 28-20 loss to the New York Giants.
“We’re not at the level that we thought we would be. … We didn’t play well last week.
New York had more to do with it than I thought they would. … We have to be ready to step…”
Jones also said Dallas needs to “step up the level of play” ahead of Sunday’s game.
The frustration is easy to understand based on what happened in Week 1. Dallas finished with just 244 total yards and ran for only 69. On the other side, the defense gave up 165 rushing yards, and communication problems showed up throughout the night.
Jones singled out that defensive communication as something that has to get better, and the timing is tricky with Washington coming in. The Cowboys have dealt with injury concerns this week, with linebacker DeMarvion Overshown working through a hamstring issue and safety Malik Hooker and cornerback DaRon Bland both missing practice time.
Both teams are walking into Sunday at 0-1, which only raises the stakes inside the division. Washington came close to knocking off the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1 before falling 24-22. Jayden Daniels passed for 164 yards, and the Commanders added 132 rushing yards while pushing the defending division champs to the end.
Dallas, meanwhile, needs more from its top offensive names. Dak Prescott threw for 175 yards against New York, and CeeDee Lamb was held to 44 receiving yards.
It’s only Week 2, but Jones’ tone made the message plain: the Cowboys cannot afford to let the slow start linger. An 0-2 hole would leave Dallas chasing early in the NFC East, and Sunday now looks like an immediate test of how quickly this group can respond.
In Other News...
Commanders Just Sent A Clear Message About Their Cornerback Depth
The Commanders made a small but telling roster tweak ahead of their game against Dallas, promoting cornerback Isaac Yiadom from the practice squad to the 53-man roster while parting ways with defensive tackle Ricky Barber in a corresponding move. It is the kind of transaction that usually flies under the radar, but it speaks to where Washington sees its immediate need as it prepares for a division matchup with one of its biggest rivals.
Yiadom arrives with the sort of veteran background that can matter in a pinch, having bounced around multiple NFL stops since entering the league in 2018. For Washington, the move gives the secondary another experienced option and suggests the staff wanted a little more insurance at cornerback as the week turned toward Dallas. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Suddenly Have A Linebacker Concern Heading Into Dallas
The Commanders shored up their interior offensive line by adding veteran Lucas Patrick for depth at guard and center, a move that helps stabilize a position group that can always use insurance over a long season. But the roster shuffle came with a catch: Washington had to clear a spot, and linebacker Jordan Magee was the one sent to injured reserve after suffering a hamstring injury in Week 1.
Magees absence leaves the linebacker room a little thinner just as the Commanders are trying to sort through the rest of their injury report. Washington also added two linebackers to the practice squad, a sign the team is already working to patch the depth chart while keeping an eye on what comes next. The Dallas trip now carries a little more intrigue on that side of the ball, because the Commanders may need answers sooner than expected. [Read more 🡒]
Tyler Owens Breakout Just Gave Commanders Fans One Immediate Concern
Tyler Owens gave Washington an early jolt in the season opener against the Eagles, turning in a standout special teams moment that quickly went viral and even landed him the Angry Runs award. For a player trying to carve out a bigger role as both a safety and gunner, it was the kind of burst that can change how a coaching staff views him, especially in a game that already carried plenty of weight in the division.
The concern came soon after, when Owens left with an ankle injury that Dan Quinn later confirmed. Owens said afterward that he was feeling good, but the Commanders will still be watching his recovery closely, because one eye-catching play is only valuable if it does not come at the cost of availability. [Read more 🡒]