Commanders Fall to 0-2 After Loss to Cowboys, Jayden Daniels Injured

The Washington Commanders left Dallas with a 0-2 record after falling to the Cowboys in their second straight NFC East matchup to open the season.

Here are the biggest observations and reactions (updated after each quarter) to Washington’s Week 2 loss, including the impact of Jayden Daniels’ injury, the defensive struggles, and what it means moving forward.

Final Pulse - Cowboys 37, Commanders 20

Sep 20, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Washington Commanders defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw (99) kneels on the field with an apparent injury against the Dallas Cowboys during the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

- The defense had very few answers for Dak Prescott, who went 26-for-31 for 279 yards and four touchdowns. On the play where he broke the Cowboys' all-time passing touchdowns record, CeeDee Lamb made Mike Sainristil look silly. First-year defensive coordinator Daronte Jones put pressure on Prescott, just not enough of it, and the coverage plans were lacking, to put it nicely.

- Once Jayden Daniels was injured, the entire dynamic of what was working on offense went away with him. Before the injury, the Commanders could move the ball pretty much at will; if the passing game showed nothing, Daniels took off and stayed away from contact. After the injury, the team had issues keeping Mariota in a clean pocket.

- Mariota wasn't bad, but his release and overall play are different than what the team has practiced with this year. Not to mention, Mariota had a knee injury and missed most of the preseason.

- After the Dyami Brown fumble, the team never recovered.

- Washington now falls to 0-2 with two divisional losses and finds itself in a hole that teams rarely recover from and still make the playoffs.

- Washington had injuries to Jayden Daniels, Sam Cosmi, Brandon Coleman and Javon Kinlaw, all of whom left the game.

Third Quarter Pulse - Cowboys 24, Commanders 13

Sep 20, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) loses his helmet after being tackled by Dallas Cowboys linebacker Rashan Gary (7) during the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

- The offense is a different machine without Daniels, but can still move the ball. The problem is that the offensive line was an issue the Commanders could live with because of Daniels' dynamic ability to escape danger. Mariota is mobile, but it's a different conversation.

- Washington's defense did nothing to help Marcus Mariota in the third quarter. After the Commanders cut the lead to four with a field goal, Dallas answered with 10 straight points, including Jake Ferguson's second touchdown of the game, and Washington suddenly found itself chasing a two-score deficit.

- The third quarter ended oddly for the offense with a couple of trick plays that David Blough was saving for a raining day. That says it all; it is raining.

Washington has been moving the ball the last three drives. What they have to show for it: no points, an injured qb, a FG, a blown trick play to a wide open WR and a missed FG.
— John Keim (@john_keim) September 20, 2026

Halftime Pulse - Cowboys 17, Commanders 10

- After what was an almost perfect first half, Jayden Daniels injured his elbow as the clock hit zero. Daniels was 11-of-17 for 96 yards and a touchdown passing, with seven carries for 69 rushing yards in the first half. The Cowboys were having issues stopping him. The team was on a 15-play drive that ended in no points as the half ended.

- Rachaad White has shown he can be a third-down demon and quite valuable in that role.

- It will be interesting to see the direction Washington heads in the second half with Marcus Mariota at quarterback.

First Quarter Pulse - Cowboys 10, Commanders 0

- Washington has had no answer for CeeDee Lamb, who has torched the Commanders' defense for five catches for 89 yards and a touchdown so far.

- Dallas' defense looked recharged after that Week 1 loss, forcing a three-and-out on Washington's opening possession. But the Commanders settled in, ending the quarter in the middle of a nine-play, 68-yard drive that has already eaten up 5:01 of clock.

- Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels was 6-for-6 for 52 yards in the first quarter and added 25 yards on two carries.

Looks like Mike Sainristil got beat here pic.twitter.com/lvl5ojLGAR
— brandon (@JayDanielsMVP) September 20, 2026

Pregame Pulse

- The very first thing that should be mentioned today, after seeing the inactive list, is that DT Javon Kinlaw is active after being listed as questionable on the team's final injury report on Friday.

- Rookie LB Jaishawn Barham will wear the green dot today for Dallas, with LB DeMarvion Overshown out with a hamstring injury. That means both teams will have rookies playing the role, as Washington will have Sonny Styles wearing the green dot for the Commanders with LB Frankie Luvu out.

- The first thing I’ll be watching when Washington has the ball is the offensive line. The group had its share of problems against Philadelphia, and a cleaner performance in front of Jayden Daniels would be one of the quickest signs the Commanders corrected some of what went wrong in Week 1.

Let 'em know, 94 🗣️@NWFCU | #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/z9LCCRY2MF
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) September 20, 2026

Get your Commanders updates delivered instantly to your phone by subscribing to our Facebook Messenger News Channel.

Add us as a preferred source on Google