The Dallas Cowboys secured their second win of the season in a tense 17-14 showdown against the Washington Commanders. Led by rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Dallas capitalized on a few key drives and timely defense to edge out a divisional rival, improving to 2-4 on the season.

Shedeur Sanders showed poise beyond his years, completing 23 of 36 passes for 224 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. While Sanders’ arm was steady, his legs also made a difference as he added 42 rushing yards on nine attempts, averaging 4.7 yards per carry.

Jalen Moreno-Cropper and Tolbert Shine
The passing attack relied heavily on wide receiver Jalen Moreno-Cropper, who hauled in six catches for 76 yards and one touchdown. Jalen Tolbert also contributed with eight catches for 54 yards and a score, while CeeDee Lamb added three receptions for 44 yards, including a 23-yard reception that set up a scoring opportunity.

A Balanced Offensive Effort
Deuce Vaughn struggled to find consistent space on the ground, tallying 30 yards on 14 carries. But his versatility was on display with three receptions for 22 yards, helping the Cowboys move the chains on a few crucial downs.

Defense Delivers in Key Moments
On defense, Donovan Wilson came through with a clutch interception, while Micah Parsons recorded a sack that helped stall a late Washington drive. The Cowboys held Washington to just 251 total yards, with the defense forcing two turnovers.

After the game, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb didn’t mince words. “We’ve got to be better, no excuses. Three points in a quarter? That’s not Cowboys football,” Lamb said, echoing frustrations that lingered from previous losses. “We’re leaving too many plays out there—drops, missed blocks, bad reads. Everyone’s got to lock in, from top to bottom. Shedeur’s young, but this ain’t all on him. We’ve all got a job to do.”

Game Recap

• First Quarter: Washington opened the game with a 7-3 lead as Dallas settled for a field goal.
• Second Quarter: Sanders connected with Tolbert for a touchdown, giving Dallas a 10-7 lead going into halftime.
• Third Quarter: Sanders found Moreno-Cropper for a score, extending the lead to 17-7.
• Fourth Quarter: The Commanders scored late to cut the deficit to 17-14, but the Cowboys defense held firm to seal the win.

Key Stats

• Shedeur Sanders: 224 passing yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 42 rushing yards
• Jalen Moreno-Cropper: 6 receptions, 76 yards, 1 TD
• Micah Parsons: 1 sack
• Donovan Wilson: 1 interception

With this hard-fought victory, the Cowboys move forward with renewed confidence. The win, though narrow, provided a glimpse of what the young quarterback can offer. “This has to be the spark,” Lamb added. “If we want to turn this thing around, it’s got to start now. No more talk—just action.”

Next up for Dallas is a crucial divisional matchup as they look to keep momentum alive.