HOG TIED 

BY MARK HALPERN

The Cowboys lost their season opener to the Giants. Their home opener was also against a division rival, the Washington Commanders, and the Cowboys couldn’t afford to go 0-2. This was Dallas’s home opener. The Cowboys showed some life during the Giant game but, not what we envisioned at all. The Commanders game (mind you it’s the commanders) was what Dallas needed after the loss to NYG. This was a tune up game for them as the Washington Defense just is still as poor as it was last year. 

     For the Cowboys on offense it was the Dak show. Dak Prescott was almost flawless going 26/31 for 279 yards and 4 TD’s and breaking Tony Romo’s record for most touchdown passes. CeeDee Lamb was the favorite target of the day accumulating 8 receptions for 153 yards and 2 td’s and Jake Fergusson also had a pair of TD catches. George Pickens wasn’t forgotten about but when you try a double one or play man to man this offense will get to you. For the second consecutive week the Cowboys had issues running the football, which is something they’ll have to clean up.

     As for the Commander’s stats and scores aren’t the story. Nearing the end of the first half with about 3 seconds on the clock. Dan Quinn the Commanders head coach decided to try and score a Touchdown instead of putting up a quick field goal. This decision will now probably haunt Dan Quinn for a while. When Daniels snapped the ball his foot appeared to be stepped on by a Washington offensive lineman and reached his arm out to brace himself and if you were watching the game the shot of his elbow was gruesome. Daniels Dislocated the same elbow his dislocated twice last year and had to have season ending surgery on that elbow last year. Marcus Mariota replaced him as he did last year. This is a big concern for the Commanders as they have spent a ton of assets to help protect Daniels from injuries for it only to happen by accident. The main question will be how long he is going to miss.I don’t want to speculate on the timeline of the injury, but the Daniels situation feels very similar to RG3. The Commanders have a curse worse than the curse of the Bambino to deal with.

    Up next is a real challenge for the Cowboys. Even though the Ravens lost to the Saints this past week doesn’t take away the fact that it’s Lamar Jackson leading the charge and has Derrick Henry right next to him. If Dallas doesn’t find a way to stop this strong dual running combo it will be a long day for the Dallas Defense.