The Dallas Cowboys lost to the Baltimore Ravens 34-31 in Brazil, and Mauricio Rodriguez believes there is one person who deserves the most criticism for the loss: head coach Brian Schottenheimer. This isn't about blaming Brian Schottenheimer for every mistake Dallas made. Dak Prescott could have made a better throw on third-and-goal. Brandon Aubrey had struggled with kickoffs. The Cowboys were dealing with major injuries throughout the defense. But Mauricio identifies four separate decisions Schottenheimer made during the final stretch of the game that he believes ultimately cost Dallas the win. The first came on first-and-goal from the 2-yard line. Dallas had one timeout remaining and chose not to run the football. Mauricio is willing to give Schottenheimer some leeway because of the potential clock-management consequences if a run failed. The second decision is where Mauricio becomes much more critical. After Dak Prescott scrambled for two yards on second-and-goal, Schottenheimer immediately called timeout with 14 seconds remaining. Mauricio believes Dallas should have allowed the clock to run down several more seconds before calling timeout. His reasoning is simple: if an NFL play takes roughly six seconds, Dallas could have gotten another opportunity into the end zone while still leaving enough time for Brandon Aubrey to kick a game-tying field goal. Instead, the Cowboys called timeout immediately. That decision ultimately gave Baltimore seven seconds to work with after Dallas failed to score. The Ravens then gained 27 yards and kicked the game-winning field goal. Mauricio's third criticism is the controversial third-and-goal play. Brian Schottenheimer acknowledged after the game that he had "over coached" Dak Prescott and had instructed him to throw the football away if the defense didn't give him the desired look. Mauricio believes that was the wrong way to use Prescott. Instead of allowing Dak to read the entire defense and make the best decision available, the Cowboys effectively gave their quarterback one primary read: George Pickens. Mauricio believes Ryan Flournoy was potentially available over the middle as well, meaning a full progression could have created another opportunity for a touchdown. Then came another questionable decision after the Ravens got the ball back. Dallas elected to kick a touchback, giving Baltimore possession at the 35-yard line. Ravens head coach Jesse Minter later said that seven seconds was essentially the minimum amount of time Baltimore needed to attempt the play that ultimately set up the winning field goal. Mauricio believes Dallas could have attempted an inbounds kickoff instead, forcing Baltimore to return the ball and potentially starting the Ravens much deeper in their own territory. Finally, Mauricio turns his attention to Christian Parker's defensive call. With only seven seconds remaining, Dallas played man coverage and left practice-squad cornerback Reddy Stewart matched up against Zay Flowers. The Cowboys also ran a double stunt up front, but the rush generated almost nothing. Lamar Jackson had plenty of time to throw, and Baltimore hit the 27-yard completion that put them into position for the winning field goal. Instead, questionable decisions on offense, special teams and defense helped turn a potential victory into a 34-31 loss. Dallas is now 1-2, with the Houston Texans coming to town next. Was this simply a heartbreaking loss? Or was this a game the Cowboys' coaching staff gave away? Mauricio Rodriguez breaks down every major decision from the final stretch of Cowboys-Ravens and explains why he believes this was a coaching loss. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Dallas for daily Dallas Cowboys news, analysis, postgame reaction and coverage throughout the 2026 NFL season. 0:00 Brian Schottenheimer cost the Cowboys? 0:28 The Cowboys had multiple people to blame 1:29 Mistake No. 1: Not running on first-and-goal 2:36 Mistake No. 2: Calling timeout too early 3:27 Dallas should have waited 4:08 The Terrence Steele injury explanation 4:53 Mistake No. 3: The third-down play 5:26 Why Dak was over-coached 6:19 Ryan Flournoy was potentially open 6:41 Dak was given one read 7:23 Mistake No. 4: The kickoff 7:38 What Jesse Minter said 8:38 Brandon Aubrey's role 10:21 The final defensive call 11:32 Dallas' defensive line stunts failed 12:15 This was a coaching loss #DallasCowboys #Cowboys #BrianSchottenheimer #DakPrescott #NFL #CowboysNation Make A to Z Sports your preferred source on Google: Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: ✭ For more Cowboys coverage be sure to follow here: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: TikTok:

The Dallas Cowboys just suffered one of the most frustrating losses of their 2026 season, falling to the Baltimore Ravens 34-31 in Brazil. And according to Mauricio Rodriguez, the Cowboys didn't simply lose because Lamar Jackson made a great play. Dallas made critical mistakes on both sides of the football in the biggest moments of the game. The first came on offense. With the Cowboys driving for a potential game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter, Dallas reached first-and-goal from the 2-yard line. A false start pushed the Cowboys back, Dak Prescott scrambled for two yards and Dallas eventually faced third-and-goal from the 5. That's when Prescott threw the football away. George Pickens appeared to have an opportunity near the pylon, but Dak did not give himself enough time to see the play develop. Brian Schottenheimer said after the game that he had "over coached" Dak in that situation and that Prescott had been taught to throw the ball away on third-and-goal. Mauricio strongly disagrees with that approach. With Dak Prescott at quarterback and weapons like CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens available, Mauricio believes Dallas should trust its quarterback to make a play rather than coaching him into taking the safe option in a game-defining moment. But Mauricio also believes the play calling deserves criticism. The Cowboys had three opportunities inside the 5-yard line and did not have a better-designed concept ready for the most important down of the game. The second major issue came on defense. With only seven seconds remaining and Baltimore needing a huge play to set up a potential game-winning field goal, Dallas played an aggressive man-coverage look. The Ravens completed a 27-yard pass, setting up the winning kick. Mauricio questions why Dallas chose to play such an aggressive coverage structure in that situation instead of forcing Baltimore to spend more time moving the football downfield. The problems go beyond those two plays. Dallas is dealing with significant roster issues, including problems at right tackle, linebacker and throughout the secondary. Injuries have made those weaknesses even more difficult to overcome. Ryan Flournoy also received eight targets and finished with two catches, highlighting another area where Dallas' depth was tested. The Cowboys are now 1-2 and head into a difficult matchup with the Houston Texans. The record alone shouldn't determine whether Cowboys fans panic. Mauricio explains why the loss to Baltimore exposed both coaching and personnel problems that Dallas needs to address quickly. Was this simply a heartbreaking loss? Or did the Cowboys reveal deeper problems that could follow them throughout the season? Watch Mauricio Rodriguez's full breakdown of the Cowboys' 34-31 loss to the Ravens. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Dallas for daily Dallas Cowboys news, analysis, postgame reaction and coverage throughout the 2026 NFL season. 0:00 The Cowboys BLEW the Ravens game 0:32 The third-and-goal decision 1:10 Was George Pickens open? 1:33 Schottenheimer admits he over-coached Dak 2:08 Dak needed to make the throw 2:29 Cowboys need better play calling 3:17 The third-down problem 4:27 Who is responsible? 5:06 The defensive call with 7 seconds left 6:08 Why the coverage was a problem 6:28 The Cowboys' bigger roster problems 6:52 Ryan Flournoy's eight targets 7:17 Coaching cost Dallas 7:38 Should Cowboys fans panic? #DallasCowboys #Cowboys #Ravens #NFL #DakPrescott #CowboysNation Make A to Z Sports your preferred source on Google: Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: ✭ For more Cowboys coverage be sure to follow here: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: TikTok:

Download the Kalshi app and use code ATOZ to get $20 when you trade $20. Kalshi. Trade on anything. Sign up today: Sponsor Disclosure: Kalshi: 18+ only. Restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Event contract trading involves risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Kalshi products are not available in all jurisdictions. Prices, values, and available markets may differ from those mentioned. For more information see kalshi.com/regulatory. The Dallas Cowboys have a difficult challenge ahead of them in Week 3. They have to find a way to slow down Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry and one of the NFL's most explosive rushing attacks. But Mauricio Rodriguez believes the Cowboys can take a page out of the New Orleans Saints' playbook. When New Orleans upset Baltimore in Week 2, the Ravens still moved the football effectively. In fact, Mauricio points out that Baltimore had a 62% success rate in that game, showing that the Saints did not completely shut down the Ravens offense. But New Orleans made key plays in high-leverage moments. The biggest thing that stood out? Aggressive linebacker blitzes. Instead of sitting back and allowing Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry to build momentum, the Saints attacked downhill. Their linebackers consistently got into the backfield, disrupted running lanes and forced Baltimore's offense to hesitate. Mauricio believes the Cowboys should consider doing something similar. Dallas may not have the defensive line talent to consistently create knockback at the line of scrimmage against Derrick Henry. Because of that, the Cowboys may need to be more aggressive with their linebackers. Jaishawn Barham could be a major piece of that plan. After his improved performance against Washington, Mauricio believes Barham should be allowed to attack downhill more often. Dee Winters could also have opportunities as a blitzer. The goal would be simple: Make Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry hesitate. Do not allow Baltimore's run game to get into rhythm. Force the Ravens to beat you through the air. Mauricio also believes the Cowboys could adjust their defensive personnel based on Baltimore's injuries. If Zay Flowers misses the game, Dallas may have more freedom to load the box and use Caleb Downs closer to the line of scrimmage. The Ravens have relied heavily on two-tight-end and three-tight-end sets, which could allow Dallas to play a more aggressive style without being exposed as much outside. The Cowboys also need to trust their offense. Mauricio believes Dallas' best path to victory may still come from Dak Prescott and the passing game. With Tyler Smith missing, Dallas likely cannot rely on dominating with the running game. Instead, the Cowboys may need another aggressive passing approach similar to their Week 2 win over Washington. Dak Prescott throwing for 275-plus yards could be a major factor if Baltimore's offense continues to score. The Cowboys do not have an easy matchup in Brazil. But Mauricio believes Dallas has a chance if they change their defensive approach, attack the Ravens' run game and let Dak Prescott carry the offense. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Dallas for daily Dallas Cowboys news, analysis, previews and reaction throughout the 2026 NFL season. 0:00 The Cowboys' plan to beat Lamar Jackson 0:34 Why Baltimore is such a difficult matchup 1:10 What the Saints did against the Ravens 1:59 Lamar Jackson vs. the blitz 2:32 The Cowboys need to blitz differently 3:00 Jaishawn Barham's role 3:51 Why linebacker blitzes matter 4:28 Loading the box against Baltimore 5:11 The Cowboys must change their identity 5:49 Why this isn't about doubting Lamar 6:33 The offense must carry Dallas 6:52 Dak Prescott's matchup 7:31 Why Dak needs 275+ yards 8:20 Final thoughts #DallasCowboys #Cowboys #Ravens #LamarJackson #NFL Make A to Z Sports your preferred source on Google: Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: ✭ For more Cowboys coverage be sure to follow here: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: TikTok:

Download the Kalshi app and use code ATOZ to get $20 when you trade $20. Kalshi. Trade on anything. Sign up today: Sponsor Disclosure: Kalshi: 18+ only. Restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Event contract trading involves risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Kalshi products are not available in all jurisdictions. Prices, values, and available markets may differ from those mentioned. For more information see kalshi.com/regulatory. The Dallas Cowboys defense is currently ranked 30th in EPA per play. So why is Mauricio Rodriguez still optimistic about where this unit is headed? Because there are three specific reasons to believe the Cowboys defense can improve significantly throughout the 2026 season. The goal isn't suddenly to turn Dallas into the Legion of Boom or the Doomsday Defense. The offseason goal was much more realistic: build a defense that is good enough to complement the Cowboys' offense, win enough games and help Dallas reach the playoffs. After two weeks, Mauricio believes the Cowboys can still reach that goal. The first reason is the biggest one: coverage. The Cowboys' coverage was dramatically better against Washington than it was against the New York Giants in Week 1. Dallas gave up far fewer obvious communication errors, and there were multiple plays where Jayden Daniels was forced to scramble because his receivers were covered. That is a major development for a defense that looked completely out of sync in the season opener. There was still a big play allowed when Coby Durant was beaten deep, but Mauricio believes that was a physical mistake rather than a blown assignment. The distinction matters because Dallas' biggest Week 1 problem was communication. The second reason for optimism is rookie linebacker Jaishawn Barham. Barham was thrown into the Mike linebacker role after DeMarvion Overshown's injury, and he looked much more comfortable against Washington. He played downhill, took on blocks, worked through traffic and made plays in coverage. Barham finished with four stops and forced a fumble. Mauricio believes Barham's emergence could also allow the Cowboys to use Overshown more effectively when he returns, potentially giving Dallas a more physical linebacker combination. There is still one concern: Barham's conditioning. But Mauricio believes the overall trajectory is encouraging. The third reason is Caleb Downs. The first-round rookie is already showing the versatility Dallas expected when it drafted him. Downs has been used from depth, near the line of scrimmage, as a blitzer and in coverage. He has also shown excellent tackling ability and instincts. Mauricio believes Downs can become the chess piece the Cowboys need on defense. And there may be an immediate schematic fix coming as well. Dallas has repeatedly struggled with defensive line stunts, including during training camp and through the first two games. Mauricio believes the Cowboys can simply reduce the number of stunts they run and allow their defensive linemen to attack more directly. Against Jayden Daniels, several of those stunts created enormous running lanes when Dallas dropped down to only two or three defensive linemen. That is the type of problem that can be corrected quickly. The Cowboys defense is not fixed. But Mauricio believes the improvement from Week 1 to Week 2, Barham's development, Caleb Downs' impact and some obvious schematic adjustments give Dallas legitimate reasons to be hopeful. Can Christian Parker turn this defense into a top-20 unit? Mauricio explains why he believes it's possible. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Dallas for daily Dallas Cowboys news, analysis, game previews and reaction throughout the 2026 NFL season. 0:00 Why Mauricio is hopeful about the Cowboys defense 0:35 What the offseason goal actually was 1:06 Cowboys vs. Ravens expectations 1:29 The Cowboys' chances in Brazil 2:38 Reason No. 1: Coverage is improving 3:28 Why Week 2 looked different 4:08 Coby Durant's big mistake 4:41 Why Week 1 to Week 2 matters 4:58 Reason No. 2: Jaishawn Barham 5:50 Barham's breakout performance 6:12 What happens when Overshown returns 6:37 Barham's conditioning concern 7:05 Reason No. 3: Caleb Downs 7:45 Why Downs is becoming a chess piece 8:35 More defensive fixes are coming 9:00 Cowboys need to stop running so many stunts 9:43 Why Mauricio is optimistic #DallasCowboys #Cowboys #CowboysDefense #NFL #CalebDowns #JaishawnBarham Make A to Z Sports your preferred source on Google: Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: ✭ For more Cowboys coverage be sure to follow here: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: TikTok:

The Dallas Cowboys are still expected to play the Baltimore Ravens in Brazil in Week 3, but concerns surrounding the field at Maracanã Stadium have created plenty of questions heading into Sunday's game. Mauricio Rodriguez has the latest on the field conditions in Rio de Janeiro, where heavy rainfall and recent complaints from soccer players have raised concerns about the playing surface. The story started after Brazilian soccer players publicly complained about the condition of the Maracanã field. Flamengo goalkeeper Agustín Rossi described the field as difficult to play on, while another Brazilian player said the surface has continued to get worse and made it increasingly difficult to control the ball. Those comments led to questions about whether the NFL could potentially relocate Cowboys-Ravens. There is an important distinction, however. The 2018 NFL game between the Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs that was scheduled for Mexico City was ultimately moved to Los Angeles because of severe field-condition concerns. That precedent understandably caused some fans to wonder whether the same thing could happen in Brazil. But the situation in Rio appears to be different. The NFL has a full week to work on the Maracanã playing surface, and the league has dealt with field-condition concerns during previous games in Brazil. An NFL field-condition director told ESPN that Rio had experienced a significant amount of rainfall over the previous six weeks, creating challenges for field management. However, the league believes the situation is manageable and said there were no plans or conversations about relocating the game. Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones also said he had no concerns because the league has indicated it is moving forward with the game. So, as of now, Cowboys-Ravens is expected to take place in Rio de Janeiro. But the field isn't the only challenge Dallas is facing. The Cowboys are dealing with a growing list of defensive injuries heading into what Brian Schottenheimer is treating as a short week. DeMarvion Overshown is expected to miss the game as he continues to recover from his injury. Coby Durant and P.J. Locke are also dealing with injuries, while Malik Hooker could potentially miss multiple weeks. That makes an already unusual international trip even more difficult for Dallas. Mauricio Rodriguez explains where things currently stand with the Maracanã field, why the possibility of relocation became a talking point, what the NFL is saying and how the Cowboys' growing injury list could impact their Week 3 matchup with the Ravens. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Dallas for daily Cowboys news, analysis, breaking updates and reaction throughout the 2026 NFL season. 0:00 Is Cowboys-Ravens being moved? 0:32 Where the field concerns came from 1:02 What Brazilian soccer players said 1:59 Why the field is in bad shape 2:19 Why relocation became a possibility 2:54 The 2018 Mexico City precedent 4:21 Why Brazil is different 5:06 What the NFL is saying 5:35 The NFL's official position 6:03 What Stephen Jones said 6:47 How the relocation story grew 7:16 Cowboys dealing with a short week 7:46 More Cowboys defensive injuries 8:12 What to expect Sunday #DallasCowboys #Cowboys #Ravens #NFL #Brazil #Maracana Make A to Z Sports your preferred source on Google: Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: ✭ For more Cowboys coverage be sure to follow here: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: TikTok:

CeeDee Lamb had the perfect message after the Dallas Cowboys' Week 2 win over the Washington Commanders — and Mauricio Rodriguez believes Cowboys fans should pay close attention. Dallas dominated Washington 37-20 to move to 1-1 on the season, and the biggest takeaway may have nothing to do with the Cowboys' defense. It may be the identity of this football team. After catching two touchdowns and finishing with 153 receiving yards, CeeDee Lamb said he was offended that Washington chose to defer after winning the opening coin toss. Mauricio doesn't actually believe the Commanders were trying to disrespect Dallas. Deferring after winning the coin toss is a common strategy because of the second-half possession advantage. But he loves the mentality Lamb displayed. If CeeDee Lamb wants to take that personally, Mauricio believes the Cowboys should embrace it. Because while the Dallas defense continues to develop under Christian Parker, the Cowboys may need their offense to carry them early in the season. And after two games, there are plenty of reasons to believe that can happen. Dallas scored 37 points against Washington despite struggling to consistently run the football and playing without Tyler Smith. Instead, the Cowboys came out aggressive through the air and dared Washington's defense to stop them. It couldn't. Dak Prescott completed 84% of his passes and threw two touchdowns, while CeeDee Lamb dominated the Commanders' secondary. Jake Ferguson also caught two touchdown passes. Mauricio believes this offense could ultimately be what gets Dallas into the playoffs. The Cowboys still have significant defensive questions. There were fewer communication errors than in Week 1, and Mauricio believes the defense looked better overall. Dallas tackled better, missed fewer assignments and finally converted one of the forced fumbles that had been an encouraging sign during the season opener. But the Cowboys still could not contain Jayden Daniels consistently. And that is a major concern with Lamar Jackson coming up next week. Dallas is also dealing with injuries throughout the defense, including Coby Durant, PJ Locke, Malik Hooker, DeMarvion Overshown and Jaishawn Barham. So Mauricio believes Cowboys fans need to be patient with Christian Parker's defense. The defense may take time. The offense doesn't have that luxury. Fortunately, Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, Jake Ferguson and the rest of the Cowboys offense have already shown they can carry a significant portion of the load. Mauricio also revisits his preseason prediction that George Pickens would lead the Cowboys in receiving yards. After CeeDee's massive Week 2 performance, Mauricio admits it's time to appreciate just how good Lamb can be. The Cowboys may not be a perfect team. But they may already know exactly how they need to win games. Score 30-plus points, take advantage of opportunities and give the defense time to develop. Watch Mauricio Rodriguez break down CeeDee Lamb's postgame message, the Cowboys' offensive identity and the biggest takeaways from Dallas' 37-20 win over Washington. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Dallas for daily Dallas Cowboys news, analysis, reactions and coverage throughout the 2026 NFL season. 0:00 CeeDee Lamb sent the perfect message 0:24 CeeDee's 153-yard performance 1:02 What CeeDee meant by being "offended" 1:36 Mauricio's take on the coin toss 2:00 The Cowboys' new identity 2:32 The offense is carrying Dallas 3:15 Dak Prescott was nearly perfect 3:40 Dak makes Cowboys history 4:03 Dak's performance under pressure 4:47 The defense improved in Week 2 5:18 The Jayden Daniels problem 5:40 The Cowboys are forcing turnovers 6:05 Injuries are slowing the defense 6:24 CeeDee Lamb deserves more credit 7:09 What the Cowboys' identity should be #DallasCowboys #Cowboys #CeeDeeLamb #DakPrescott #NFL #CowboysNation Make A to Z Sports your preferred source on Google: Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: ✭ For more Cowboys coverage be sure to follow here: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: TikTok:

Download the Kalshi app and use code ATOZ to get $20 when you trade $20. Kalshi. Trade on anything. Sign up today: Sponsor Disclosure: Kalshi: 18+ only. Restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Event contract trading involves risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Kalshi products are not available in all jurisdictions. Prices, values, and available markets may differ from those mentioned. For more information see kalshi.com/regulatory. *** The Dallas Cowboys have a clear path to beating the Washington Commanders in Week 2 — but there is one thing they absolutely cannot allow. Jayden Daniels to beat them with his legs. Mauricio Rodriguez breaks down the three biggest keys to Cowboys-Commanders and explains why Dallas can attack Washington's defense, create favorable matchups and potentially bounce back from the Week 1 loss to the Giants. The first key is forcing the Commanders to move away from their blitz-heavy defensive approach. Washington blitzed Jalen Hurts on 44% of his dropbacks in Week 1, and Hurts completed only 40% of his passes on those plays. Mauricio believes the Commanders will have a difficult time replicating that success against Dak Prescott. Dak has historically been one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL against the blitz, and Dallas has the offensive personnel to punish Washington if it sends too much pressure. Tyler Guyton also showed improvement at left tackle in Week 1, while Cooper Beebe and Tyler Booker give Dallas additional strength on the interior. Javonte Williams is another important piece because of his ability to protect Dak in pass protection. If Dallas can consistently block Washington's four-man rush, Mauricio believes opportunities will open up in the passing game. That leads to the second key: attack the Commanders' cornerbacks with George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb. Mauricio believes Pickens presents a major matchup problem for Washington's outside corners, while CeeDee Lamb could have an advantage against nickel corner Nick Cross. Pickens had some costly drops in Week 1, but Mauricio believes Washington's secondary presents a much better opportunity for him to make explosive plays. CeeDee Lamb is another player Mauricio expects Dallas to target heavily. The third key is the most important one for the Cowboys defense: Contain Jayden Daniels. Mauricio isn't overly concerned if Stefon Diggs wins some individual matchups against Caleb Downs. He's also willing to live with Terry McLaurin making plays. What Dallas cannot afford is allowing Daniels to repeatedly escape the pocket and create explosive plays with his legs. The Cowboys struggled to contain Jackson Dart in Week 1, and the Eagles also had trouble keeping Daniels contained in their matchup with Washington. If Dallas makes the same mistake again, Daniels has the ability to completely change the game. The good news is that Mauricio believes Dallas can win the other matchups. Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark could have major opportunities against Washington's interior offensive line after Philadelphia consistently pushed the Commanders' center and left guard backward in Week 1. If Dallas wins that battle, the Cowboys' linebackers should have cleaner opportunities to attack the running game. Ultimately, Mauricio believes the Cowboys can beat Washington if they execute three things: 1. Force the Commanders away from the blitz. 2. Attack Washington's secondary with George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb. 3. Do not allow Jayden Daniels to beat them with his legs. Can Dallas bounce back and avoid an 0-2 start? Watch Mauricio Rodriguez's full Cowboys-Commanders game plan and let us know which key you think matters most. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Dallas for daily Dallas Cowboys news, analysis, game previews and reaction throughout the 2026 NFL season. 0:00 Cowboys-Commanders game plan 0:15 Jaishawn Barham gets the green dot 1:02 Why Washington's defense made Mauricio feel better 1:45 Washington blitzed Jalen Hurts 44% of the time 2:33 George Pickens vs. Washington's corners 2:58 Key No. 1: Force Washington away from the blitz 4:23 Key No. 2: Attack the Commanders' corners 6:05 Cowboys-Commanders keys recap 6:30 Key No. 3: Contain Jayden Daniels 7:53 Quinnen Williams vs. Washington's interior OL 8:38 The one thing that could kill the Cowboys #DallasCowboys #Cowboys #Commanders #NFL #JaydenDaniels #GeorgePickens Make A to Z Sports your preferred source on Google: Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: ✭ For more Cowboys coverage be sure to follow here: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: TikTok:

Download the Kalshi app and use code ATOZ to get $20 when you trade $20. Kalshi. Trade on anything. Sign up today: Sponsor Disclosure: Kalshi: 18+ only. Restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Event contract trading involves risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Kalshi products are not available in all jurisdictions. Prices, values, and available markets may differ from those mentioned. For more information see kalshi.com/regulatory. The Dallas Cowboys have no time to dwell on their Week 1 loss to the New York Giants. Washington is next, and Mauricio Rodriguez believes three Cowboys defenders MUST step up if Dallas wants to avoid falling to 0-2. That urgency matters because the Cowboys' schedule gets significantly more difficult after Week 2, with upcoming games against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens, the Houston Texans, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers. Dallas entered the season with one of the NFL's toughest schedules, so the Cowboys need results early. The first player under pressure is rookie linebacker Jaishawn Barham. Mauricio acknowledges that it is unfair to put a third-round rookie in this position, especially after Barham played edge rusher at Michigan last season. But after DeMarvion Overshown suffered an injury, Barham is now the Cowboys' primary option at Mike linebacker. That means he'll be responsible for communicating the defense, playing with the green dot and handling a much larger role than Dallas originally expected. Barham had some difficult moments during his NFL debut against the Giants, making his Week 2 assignment even more important. The second player is rookie safety Caleb Downs. With Malik Hooker unavailable, Downs is expected to take on an even larger role in the Cowboys' defense. Dallas wants Downs playing close to the line of scrimmage, where he can contribute as a tackler and blitzer. But Washington presents a difficult test. The Commanders have Jayden Daniels at quarterback and Stefon Diggs at wide receiver. Diggs showed in Week 1 that he can create problems for opposing defensive backs, and Mauricio expects Washington to target him frequently. Downs doesn't need to be perfect. He needs to respond quickly when he gives up a play and make enough positive plays to keep the matchup competitive. Finally, Quinnen Williams needs a bounce-back performance. Williams admitted that he didn't play his best football against the Giants, and Mauricio agrees after reviewing the film. Williams was not the biggest problem on the Cowboys' defense, but Dallas needs much more from its highest-profile defensive tackle. Fortunately, Washington's offensive line may provide the perfect opportunity. Mauricio believes the Commanders' interior offensive line showed vulnerability against Philadelphia, particularly at left guard and center. If Williams and Kenny Clark can consistently reset the line of scrimmage, Dallas' linebackers should have much cleaner opportunities to make plays. That could be especially important for Barham. If Quinnen Williams dominates up front, he can make life easier for the rookie linebacker behind him. If Caleb Downs makes enough plays against Washington's passing game, Dallas' defense can survive some of its youth. And if Jaishawn Barham handles the Mike linebacker responsibilities, the Cowboys may have enough pieces to bounce back. Mauricio breaks down all three players and explains why each one is critical to Dallas' Week 2 matchup against the Washington Commanders. Who needs to step up the most? Subscribe to A to Z Sports Dallas for daily Cowboys news, analysis, game previews and reaction throughout the 2026 NFL season. 0:00 3 Cowboys who MUST step up vs. Washington 0:48 Why 0-2 would be a major problem 1:09 No. 1: Jaishawn Barham 2:13 Why Barham has no choice 2:50 No. 2: Caleb Downs 3:43 Downs' expanded defensive role 4:51 Why Stefon Diggs is a HUGE test 5:59 What Dallas needs from Downs 6:29 No. 3: Quinnen Williams 7:15 Why Quinnen needs a bounce-back 7:40 Washington's offensive line weakness 8:36 Why Quinnen can make Barham's job easier 9:00 Final thoughts #DallasCowboys #Cowboys #Commanders #NFL #CowboysNation #JaydenDaniels Make A to Z Sports your preferred source on Google: Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: ✭ For more Cowboys coverage be sure to follow here: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: TikTok:

The Dallas Cowboys lost their Week 1 matchup against the New York Giants, and there are plenty of reasons for concern. The defense struggled. The offense had mistakes. The Cowboys left opportunities on the field. But Mauricio Rodriguez believes Cowboys fans should not completely panic yet. There were three major positives from the Week 1 loss that could help Dallas win games throughout the 2026 season. The first positive came from a surprising place: the defense. No, Mauricio is not ignoring the fact that the Cowboys struggled to stop the Giants. Dallas had major issues defending the run, containing Jackson Dart and consistently getting off the field. However, one thing stood out. The Cowboys forced four fumbles. Caleb Downs, Quinnen Williams, Jalen Thompson, Kobe Durant and Donovan Ezeiruaku all contributed to plays that knocked the football loose. Dallas did not recover most of those fumbles, but Mauricio believes consistently creating those opportunities can eventually lead to more takeaways. The second positive was Tyler Guyton. Entering the season, one of the biggest questions surrounding the Cowboys offensive line was whether Guyton could take the next step at left tackle. Against the Giants, Guyton delivered one of the most encouraging performances of his young career. He faced elite pass rushers including Brian Burns and Abdul Carter and held up extremely well in pass protection. Mauricio believes Guyton also showed why Dallas was so intrigued by his physical traits as a run blocker. If Tyler Guyton can consistently play at this level, it could completely change how the Cowboys handle their offensive line issues — especially with Terrence Steele continuing to struggle at right tackle. The third positive was Dak Prescott and the Cowboys offense. The offense was not perfect. There were penalties, dropped passes and Dak's interception was a costly mistake. But Mauricio believes Dak actually played a strong overall game. If George Pickens catches two early passes, Dallas likely has a different offensive rhythm. Dak also finished among the NFL leaders in quarterback efficiency metrics despite the loss. The bigger takeaway is that the Cowboys offense looks capable of being one of the best units in football. The defense needs to improve, but Dallas still has legitimate reasons for optimism after Week 1. Mauricio Rodriguez breaks down the three biggest silver linings from the Cowboys' loss to the Giants and why they could matter throughout the 2026 season. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Dallas for daily Cowboys news, analysis, reactions and coverage throughout the 2026 NFL season. 0:00 Cowboys fans should not panic 0:42 Positive No. 1: The defense forced turnovers 2:30 Why fumble recoveries will come 3:20 Positive No. 2: Tyler Guyton breakout? 4:40 Guyton vs. Brian Burns and Abdul Carter 5:50 Why Guyton changes the offense 6:20 Positive No. 3: Dak Prescott was good 7:30 Why the offense remains elite 8:20 Final thoughts #DallasCowboys #Cowboys #CowboysNation #NFL #DakPrescott Make A to Z Sports your preferred source on Google: Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: ✭ For more Cowboys coverage be sure to follow here: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: TikTok:

The Dallas Cowboys defense was supposed to be one of the biggest improvements of the 2026 season. After one game, there are already major questions. Mauricio Rodriguez breaks down the Cowboys' defensive performance against the New York Giants and asks the biggest question facing Dallas: Can this defense actually get better? Entering the season, Cowboys fans were wondering how quickly this defense could improve after historically poor results in 2025. Could Dallas become a top-20 defense? Could they push toward being a top-15 unit? Could they create turnovers and become a legitimate complement to one of the NFL's best offenses? Unfortunately, Week 1 did not provide the answers Cowboys fans were hoping for. Dallas allowed more points per drive than they did during the 2025 season and struggled to create pressure, cover consistently and communicate in the secondary. The biggest concern is that many of the problems appeared in areas Dallas hoped would improve. The Cowboys allowed repeated completions to the flat, had communication issues and struggled to consistently pressure Jackson Dart. However, Mauricio explains why some of these problems could be fixed. A brand-new defensive staff, a first-time play caller in Christian Parker and a roster with several new pieces could naturally have growing pains. Miscommunications and assignment errors are the type of problems that can improve with more time together. But the bigger concern is talent. Dallas entered the season with questions at linebacker and edge rusher, and those concerns showed up against the Giants. The Cowboys struggled to contain plays in space, and when Dallas rushed four defenders, they struggled to consistently pressure Jackson Dart. Mauricio explains why that is less of a scheme problem and more of a talent issue. Dallas did blitz at one of the highest rates in the NFL in Week 1, but the aggressive approach created problems on the back end when the secondary had to hold up in coverage. The good news? There were some encouraging moments. First-round rookie Caleb Downs looked like a legitimate impact player, contributing as a blitzer, tackler and versatile piece in the secondary. The Cowboys also forced multiple fumbles, including plays from Caleb Downs, Donovan Ezeiruaku and Quinnen Williams. They did not recover those fumbles, but creating turnovers is still a positive sign. So what should Cowboys fans believe after Week 1? Was this simply a young defense experiencing early-season mistakes? Or did Dallas reveal deeper issues that could prevent them from competing in 2026? Mauricio Rodriguez breaks down the biggest problems, the fixable issues and the reasons for optimism after the Cowboys' Week 1 loss to the Giants. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Dallas for daily Cowboys news, analysis and reaction throughout the 2026 NFL season. 0:00 The Cowboys defense has a problem 0:28 Expectations entering 2026 0:50 Week 1 was a disaster 1:37 Why "young defense" isn't enough 2:47 The problems that can be fixed 4:16 The biggest concern: talent 5:05 Cowboys can't generate four-man pressure 6:19 Blitzing creates another problem 7:01 Is this defense actually fixable? 7:47 Caleb Downs was a bright spot 8:05 Forced fumbles give some hope 8:35 Final thoughts #DallasCowboys #Cowboys #CowboysDefense #NFL #CowboysNation Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: ***** ✭ For more Cowboys coverage be sure to follow here: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: TikTok: