Jer’zhan Newton announced his arrival with a dominant three-sack performance, becoming the first Washington rookie to achieve that feat since 2015. While the scoreboard favored Dallas, the "Newton Game" and Jacory Croskey-Merritt’s explosive 72-yard touchdown run offered undeniable proof that Adam Peters’ draft class is ready to lead. These young playmakers provided a massive spark in an otherwise frustrating afternoon, proving the future foundation is stronger than the current record suggests.

However, the loss wasn't without controversy or questionable management. We break down the "Ghost Whistle" penalty on Frankie Luvu that extended a Cowboys drive and analyze Dan Quinn's conservative decision to kick a field goal late in the fourth quarter. Was the trust in the defense misplaced against Dak Prescott? Plus, we look at how the quarterback room’s culture—highlighted by a 7:00 AM walkthrough—is setting the standard for 2026.

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Host David Harrison covers the Washington Commanders for WUSA9 and Sports Illustrated.

Follow David on X: https://twitter.com/DHarrison82

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📸 Photo Credits
Images courtesy of USA Today, Bowie TV (YouTube.com/@Bowie_TV), and Abdullah Konte of the Washington Informer (Instagram: @dullahvision)

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