Mariota did what he could, and Washington's offense didn't fold outright -- the Commanders scored 10 more points in the second half and hung around into the fourth quarter. But Dak Prescott had other plans. He threw 4 touchdown passes, 2 to CeeDee Lamb and 2 to Jake Ferguson, and turned a competitive Sunday into the kind of afternoon where the only real drama was a franchise record.
That record fell with 3:07 left, when Prescott's 24-yard touchdown throw to Lamb became his 249th as a Cowboy, passing Tony Romo for the most in franchise history. It also served as the game's actual kill shot -- Dallas had led by only a touchdown for much of the second half before that throw iced it, sending Washington to 0-2.
The preview flagged Dallas' defense as the soft spot here, a unit that had just allowed 165 rushing yards and won only 2 of 11 third downs against the Giants. Washington's response was Mariota's relief work rather than anything from a healthy Daniels, and it was enough to make the second half watchable without ever threatening to flip the outcome; Dallas' offense simply scored more.
Both clubs came in hunting a get-well game, and only one leaves Arlington with it. Dallas is 1-1 with its passing offense clearly ahead of its run defense; Washington is 0-2 and waiting on word on how long Daniels is out before it can even ask the same questions of itself.