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FRISCO, Texas -- With Dak Prescott playing like an MVP for the No. 1 offense in the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys probably could contend for the playoffs with just a mediocre defense.
The numbers for that beleaguered unit were closer to the middle of the pack than the worst -- where the Dallas defense has spent most of this season -- in a 44-22 victory over the Washington Commanders.
It proves the point, since Dallas (3-3-1) had little trouble with an NFC East rival that reached the conference championship game last season and saddled the Cowboys with the label of the only team not to reach an NFC title game since the storied franchise's fifth Super Bowl title to cap the 1995 season.
"They're aware of what's being said about them, and they don't like it," Dallas Coach Brian Schottenheimer said of defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus' crew. "There's pride in that room. This is not going to be the worst adversity that we'll go through this season. So what do you do? You get back to work, you make changes, you make adjustments, and to go out and put a performance like this together is really good for confidence."
Dallas, which visits Denver (5-2) on Sunday, is still at or near the bottom of the major defensive statistical categories. But DaRon Bland returned an interception 68 yards for a touchdown against the Commanders, and the Cowboys have 10 of their 15 sacks in the past three games, including two apiece on Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota.
Heavier reliance on man-to-man coverage for a team that has played mostly zone led to a season-low opposing completion percentage of 50%. Each of the first six opponents completed at least 68% of the passes.
Daniels lost a fumble while injuring a hamstring on a sack, and Mariota was under pressure when he threw the pick-six to Bland on his first possession after replacing the reigning AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
A week earlier in a 30-27 loss at Carolina, Bland lined up too far beyond the first-down marker on a critical fourth-and-4 conversion that allowed the Panthers to run out the clock before kicking a game-ending field goal.
"Obviously, we have a lot of respect for Washington and what they're capable of doing," owner Jerry Jones said. "And so I think you saw maybe a little bit of an example of how to get your nose bloody one week -- that was a disappointing loss last week -- and come out here and learn from it. And I think our bunch did."
WHAT'S WORKING
The receiving tandem of CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens is turning into one of the best in the league and didn't miss a beat when back together after the former missed three games with a high ankle sprain. Lamb had a 74-yard touchdown catch in his return, and Pickens made a contested 44-yard grab along the sideline that helped the Cowboys score a touchdown in just 35 seconds in the final minute of the first half.
WHAT NEEDS HELP
Holding penalties were an issue. There were two each on receivers (Lamb and Jalen Tolbert) and linemen (Tyler Smith and Tyler Booker). Two came on the same drive, which the Cowboys managed to keep alive long enough for Brandon Aubrey's 61-yard field goal.
STOCK UP
Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney had his first sack since making his Dallas debut in Week 4, and he recovered Daniels' fumble on rookie linebacker Shemar James' first career sack. The 32-year-old Clowney is in his 12th season and now has 59 career sacks.
STOCK DOWN
Schottenheimer's game management has been sharp in his first season as a head coach following a quarter-century as an assistant. Two exceptions came in the first quarter against the Commanders. He called for a delayed handoff on a counter play with Dallas on its 1-yard line, and Javonte Williams was tackled in the end zone for a safety.
Before Aubrey's 47-yard field goal that put the Cowboys in front for good at 10-8, Schottenheimer unnecessarily burned a timeout trying to get Washington to jump offside. He had clearly already decided to kick on fourth-and-3.
Fox broadcast reporter Tom Rinaldi, right, interviews Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, left, wide receiver George Pickens (3) and wide receiver Ceedee Lamb (88) following an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
Fox broadcast reporter Tom Rinaldi, right, interviews Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, left, wide receiver George Pickens (3) and wide receiver Ceedee Lamb (88) following an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (3) is tackled by Washington Commanders cornerback Marshon Lattimore, bottom, and safety Quan Martin during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (3) is tackled by Washington Commanders cornerback Marshon Lattimore, bottom, and safety Quan Martin during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) reacts with head coach Brian Schottenheimer, right, after a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) reacts with head coach Brian Schottenheimer, right, after a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)