What happened
The Dallas Cowboys opened their win column for the 2026 season on Sunday with a 17-3 victory over the Washington Commanders. Dak Prescott led the way once again in divisional play at home, running his home winning streak against NFC East opponents to 20 straight games. It was a steady and timely response for Dallas in front of its home crowd.
Dallas defeated Washington to open its win column for 2026 after an opening loss. The Cowboys held Washington to a single field goal, keeping the Commanders out of the end zone for the afternoon. It was the kind of divisional result that steadies a season before the schedule tightens.
Why it matters
The result mattered because Dak Prescott steadied Dallas after an opening loss to the Giants. Dallas needed a response in its second outing of the season, and Prescott delivered it at home. His continued success against NFC East opponents at home set the tone for the afternoon.
A divisional win keeps Dallas in the early NFC East race before the schedule tightens. Early-season divisional games carry added weight because they shape tiebreakers and momentum for the months ahead. For Dallas, opening its win column now preserves positioning rather than chasing from behind.
By the numbers
By the numbers, the story was straightforward. Prescott now has 20 straight home wins against NFC East opponents, extending one of the league's most consistent divisional home runs. The final read Cowboys 17, Commanders 3, with Washington held to a field goal.
The 17-3 margin reflected Dallas's control of a low-scoring divisional game. Holding Washington to three points gave the Cowboys separation without requiring a shootout. For Prescott, the 20-game home streak against NFC East foes remains the defining context of the afternoon.
What to watch next
What comes next for Dallas is a chance to stack wins. Dallas tries to add a second win in Week 3 and build momentum from its first victory of 2026. Another win would extend the positive turn that began with Prescott's 20th straight home victory over NFC East opposition.
Washington, meanwhile, looks to reset before its next divisional test. Held to a field goal in a 17-3 loss, the Commanders leave Dallas still searching for traction in the early NFC East race. Their response in the coming week will determine whether Sunday was a brief setback or an early warning.