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Cowboys' recipe for success in Week 2? Start fast and make a splash to help struggling defense

Following a 28-20 defeat against the New York Giants on Sunday night, the Dallas Cowboys enter their matchup with Washington determined to capitalize on limited offensive opportunities through explosive connections involving CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. New York held the football for 36 minutes and 40 seconds compared to Dallas' 23 minutes and 20 seconds, aided by converting 9 of 11 third downs—an 82 percent success rate that marked the franchise's highest single-game mark since 1978.

While Dallas scored touchdowns on each of its only two second-half possessions, the defense posted the league's lowest expected points added per drive of the opening week, finishing 574th among all 576 defensive outings recorded since the 2025 campaign began.

The 27-year-old Lamb, a five-time Pro Bowler and All-Pro who routinely paces along the sideline between possessions to reset, noted on Thursday that the offense must be ready for sudden changes and ensure drives conclude in touchdowns. Quarterback Dak Prescott was likewise kept off the field during those extended lulls, spending his time studying game film while waiting for defensive stops that never materialized.