ARLINGTON, Texas – Dak Prescott achieved a significant milestone in his career, breaking Tony Romo’s franchise record for touchdown passes in a celebrated locker room atmosphere following the Dallas Cowboys’ 37-20 victory over the Washington Commanders.
While Prescott basked in the glory of his achievement, the mood surrounding the opposing quarterback was markedly different. Prescott threw four touchdown passes, surpassing Romo’s previous record of 248 touchdowns. This victory marked the Cowboys’ first win of the season, improving their record to 1-1.
Prescott’s 249th touchdown pass of his career came during a game where he connected twice with CeeDee Lamb, who amassed an impressive 153 receiving yards. Tight end Jake Ferguson also played a crucial role, securing two touchdown catches.
In a touching moment, Lamb handed Prescott the record-breaking ball, prompting a wave of celebration among the teammates. “That made me emotional,” Prescott shared, reflecting on the support he received from his teammates, many of whom have only been together for a short time. He also mentioned his late mother, who was on his mind leading up to the game.
The game took a somber turn when Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels suffered a dislocated left elbow during a crucial moment in the first half. The injury occurred as Daniels attempted to throw a pass while being pressured, leading to a concerning scene on the field. After the game, Commanders coach Dan Quinn confirmed the injury but stated that imaging showed no fracture, allowing Daniels to travel back with the team.
Replacing Daniels, Marcus Mariota managed to keep the Commanders competitive, connecting with Stefon Diggs for a touchdown that brought the score to 30-20 in the fourth quarter. However, Prescott responded effectively, leading an 11-play drive capped off by a touchdown to Lamb, solidifying the Cowboys’ lead.
Prescott’s performance was exceptional, completing 26 of 32 passes for 279 yards, marking a successful outing that extended his home winning streak against NFC East rivals to 20 games. Coach Brian Schottenheimer praised Prescott, stating, “You can’t talk about Dak, the player, without starting with the man.”
On the defensive side, the Cowboys showed significant improvement from their previous game, with rookie linebacker Jaishawn Barham playing a pivotal role in forcing a fumble that led to another Cowboys touchdown. This display of resilience was a welcome change for the Dallas defense, which had struggled in their opener.
In terms of injuries, the Cowboys faced some setbacks as safety P.J. Locke and cornerback Cobie Durant both left the game with injuries. Looking ahead, the Commanders will next face the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, while the Cowboys prepare for a matchup against the Baltimore Ravens in Rio de Janeiro.
As the NFL season progresses, both teams will be looking to build on their performances and address their challenges, making the upcoming weeks critical in their quest for success.
___
See AP’s full NFL coverage here

