The Dallas Cowboys had their first home game of the regular season at AT&T Stadium and defended their land with a 30-10 win over the New York Jets.
What were some of the biggest takeaways as the Cowboys are now 2-0 going into Week 3 of the regular season?
Highlights From the Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Jets
TE Jake Ferguson had the Cowboys’ first receiving touchdown of the season after a four-yard pass from Dak Prescott.
Jake Ferguson TD!
The @DallasCowboys' hot start to the season continues.
📺: #NYJvsDAL on CBS⁰📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/FhXtx7w3wW pic.twitter.com/IjGYRudORV
— NFL (@NFL) September 17, 2023
RB Deuce Vaughn warmed up with a summersault catch.
Deuce Vaughn somersaults past the sticks 😳 @C_Vaughn22
📺: #NYJvsDAL on CBS⁰📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/FhXtx7w3wW pic.twitter.com/zj8H3QTEzF
— NFL (@NFL) September 17, 2023
Plus, EDGE Micah Parsons sacked Zach Wilson three times, TE Luke Schoonmaker had his first NFL touchdown, and CB Trevon Diggs, S Jayron Kearse, and S Malik Hooker had their first interceptions of the 2023 season.
Micah Parsons Is That Guy
Parsons being a playmaker is nothing new. But the impact he continues to have is noticeable and nearly unstoppable for opposing offenses.
Parsons had three sacks on Wilson during the day, but that’s only the tip of the iceberg for the edge rusher.
He continues to pressure quarterbacks, which opens up guys around him to make plays.
Jayron Kearse’s first interception of the 2023 season was an excellent example of this. Parsons was putting pressure on Wilson, so he threw the ball right into Kearse’s hands.
This @DallasCowboys defense is just stacked with playmakers @Jayronkearse8
📺: #NYJvsDAL on CBS⁰📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/FhXtx7w3wW pic.twitter.com/aVXg0KC0ko
— NFL (@NFL) September 17, 2023
Earlier in the week, Parsons spoke about generating pressure, and that’s exactly what he led the Cowboys to do during the game.
Dak Prescott Playing Well With Mike McCarthy’s Play Calls
Prescott completed 31 of 38 attempts for 255 yards and two touchdowns.
He showed more of what he could do during the game with head coach Mike McCarthy calling the plays.
Prescott continued to lead the offense by playing fast and communicating well. This game showed how smart the offense can play and adjust to opponents.
Prescott now has a passing touchdown against 30 of the 31 opposing NFL teams. The only team left is the Los Angeles Chargers, who the Cowboys play in Week 6.
During the CBS broadcast, Tony Romo discussed Prescott’s footwork contributing to the speed of the offense.
MORE: Tracking Every Week 2 NFL Injury
Not only is Prescott playing well, but the entire offense continues to be on the same page, which is already a different tone than last season.
CeeDee Lamb was a crucial part of the Cowboys’ success. Lamb caught 11 of 13 targets for 143 yards.
With this being the first time Lamb has fully embraced his role at the start of the season, this is a starting point that should be promising for the rest of the year.
The Cowboys Have Found Their Kicker in Brandon Aubrey
Brandon Aubrey had his first perfect game with the Cowboys.
Aubrey went 5 of 5, nailing 21, 26, 30, 35, and 54-yard field goals.
The kicker struggled to have a perfect game going back to the preseason, but that has become a conversation of the past for Aubrey this week.
The 28-year-old became the fourth rookie kicker to make at least five field goals in a game, making him the first since Dan Bailey made six against Washington in 2011.
This was also the first time a Cowboys kicker made five kicks in a game since Bailey made five at Green Bay in 2013.
Being in the same conversation as Bailey sets the standards high for Aubrey for the rest of the season.