EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Even with four starters missing from the offensive line, Dak Prescott delivered a commanding performance, leading the Dallas Cowboys to a 37-22 victory over the still-winless New York Jets on Sunday.
Prescott tossed four touchdown passes, two of them to tight end Jake Ferguson, and guided Dallas to a pair of 90-plus-yard scoring drives in the second quarter — all behind a patchwork O-line. Despite the adversity, the Cowboys (2-2-1) rebounded strongly after a wild 40-40 tie against Green Bay the week before.
“We’re honestly spoiled,” Cowboys offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said. “Dak’s one of the league’s best — not just as a quarterback, but as a leader. He’s confident, and the team feeds off that.”
Prescott completed 18 of 29 passes for 237 yards, orchestrating the offense behind a line missing left guard Tyler Smith (knee), left tackle Tyler Guyton (concussion), right guard Tyler Booker (ankle), and center Cooper Beebe (foot). Only right tackle Terence Steele remained from the usual starting five. The Cowboys were also without top receivers CeeDee Lamb (ankle) and KaVontae Turpin (foot).
“It speaks volumes about the belief this team has in itself,” Schottenheimer added. “We had four new guys on the line — I’ve never seen that before.”
Prescott, who drew “MVP!” chants from Cowboys fans at MetLife Stadium, said the team was determined to bounce back. “We knew we had to shake off last week,” he said. “Everyone believed we were capable of this.”
Running back Javonte Williams played a key role, rushing for 135 yards and a touchdown, and adding another score on a reception. George Pickens also hauled in a touchdown pass.
The win held special meaning for Schottenheimer, who served as the Jets’ offensive coordinator from 2006 to 2011. Meanwhile, the Jets (0-5) remain winless under first-year head coach Aaron Glenn, who became the first coach in team history to open a season with five consecutive losses. This marks New York’s fourth 0-5 start and their first since an 0-13 opening in 2020.
“I’m going to face this head-on,” Glenn said. “We’re in a tough spot, but we’re going to dig ourselves out together.”
Adding to the Jets’ woes, they became the first NFL team since 1933 — the year turnovers began being recorded — to go five games without forcing a single turnover.
The Dallas defense, missing star linebacker Micah Parsons, still managed to keep Jets quarterback Justin Fields in check until the game was largely out of reach. Fields completed 32 of 46 passes for 283 yards with late touchdown throws to Andrew Beck and Garrett Wilson, as well as two 2-point conversions to Mason Taylor and Josh Reynolds. Fields was also sacked five times.
Breece Hall ran for 113 yards and caught four passes for 42 yards, but his second-quarter fumble proved costly. After the Jets opened the scoring with a Nick Folk 25-yard field goal, their only lead of the day, Hall’s turnover set up a critical Cowboys surge.
Dallas responded with a 90-yard, 13-play touchdown drive, capped by a 26-yard screen pass from Prescott to Ferguson for a 10-3 lead. After recovering Hall’s fumble, Dallas struck again. Prescott hit Ryan Flournoy for 46 yards, and two plays later, Javonte Williams ran in from five yards out to make it 17-3.
Less than a minute later, Williams broke loose for a 66-yard run, setting up a one-yard strike from Prescott to Ferguson for another score. A missed extra point followed — kicker Brandon Aubrey hit the right upright — after left tackle Nate Thomas was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Prescott’s 43-yard touchdown pass to Pickens late in the third pushed the lead to 30-3. He added a final 4-yard scoring toss to Williams in the closing minutes.
“There aren’t many teams that could replace four linemen and still feel confident about winning on the road,” Prescott said. “That’s what makes this group special.”
Ferguson Heating Up
With seven catches against New York, Ferguson now has 41 receptions this season. That puts him in elite company — only three other tight ends in NFL history have reached 40 catches within their team’s first five games: Zach Ertz (2018), Eric Johnson (2004), and Hall of Famer Antonio Gates (2007).
Injury Report
Cowboys: LB Jack Sanborn exited with a concussion in the first half. WR Jalen Brooks left in the fourth quarter after injuring his knee.
Jets: No major injuries reported.
What’s Next:
Cowboys: Travel to face the Carolina Panthers next Sunday.
Jets: Head overseas to take on the Denver Broncos in London at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
