Dak Prescott’s Incredible Feat Overshadowed by Cowboys’ Defensive Struggles
Dallas Cowboys fans should be basking in the exceptional play of quarterback Dak Prescott over the past three weeks. However, the Cowboys wrapped up the last three weeks with a 1-1-1 record, which includes a lone victory over the winless New York Jets and a loss to the previously sub-.500 Carolina Panthers.
Over that span, Prescott has reeled off a staggering 10 touchdown passes and zero interceptions while rushing for one additional score. It's a record-setting three-game span for Prescott, but not in the way the Cowboys, their struggling defense and frustrated fanbase would like.
As ESPN's Todd Archer highlighted, according to ESPN Research, Prescott is the first quarterback to account for 11 or more passing/rushing touchdowns with no turnovers, and hold a non-winning record in a three-game stretch.
What Cowboys' issues does this Dak Prescott feat highlight?
This highlights an issue that was almost expected after the team traded Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers. Unfortunately, it's unknown if Parsons would have even been able to factor in enough to impact the results.
The Cowboys gave up 40 points in their overtime tie against the Green Bay Packers, but it was the porous effort against the Carolina Panthers in Week 6 that highlighted all of the struggles.
In Dallas' 30-27 loss to quarterback Bryce Young and their former starting running back Rico Dowdle, the defense simply had no answers. Young threw three touchdown passes while Dowdle tormented the Cowboys' defense. While owner Jerry Jones said the trade of Parsons addressed the team's run defense, it's hard to envision that he expected Dowdle to rip off 183 rushing yards on 30 carries.
For good measure, Dowdle also led the Panthers in receiving, catching four passes for 56 yards and one touchdown. It was an incredible revenge game from Dowdle, and an even worse performance from the Cowboys' defense.
Prescott is playing at an elite level, and maybe more than any year in his career, his exceptional play is being wasted by a woeful defense. Prescott is being dealt the same hand Tony Romo received throughout his career, and Jones refuses to acknowledge it.
Charlie Lindgren’s Sweet Revenge for Brother’s NHL Exit
Hockey fans had just one game to pay attention to on Sunday night. And it was a rather close affair. The New York Rangers looked to follow up two dominant victories with another on home ice. On the other side, goaltender Charlie Lindgren made his season debut for the Washington Capitals. And he played with a bit of a chip on his shoulder.
Lindgren had his work cut out for him, facing 35 shots from the Rangers. However, he stood on his head, stopping all of them. The Capitals won Sunday night’s lone NHL contest by a 1-0 scoreline.
This win was a bit personal for Lindgren, as well. His brother, Ryan, was traded by the Rangers last year. He went to the Colorado Avalanche, and signed a four-year contract with the Seattle Kraken this summer. Charlie Lindgren spoke about what this win meant, given the circumstances.
“It felt good to get a win for my brother, and obviously, for the team here. My brother laid it on the line every single night for this team. He loved being a Ranger, loved the group over there. I know for a fact they’re definitely going to miss him. There’s going to be a big hole back there,” the Capitals goaltender said, via Washington Post reporter Bailey Johnson.
Capitals’ Charlie Lindgren hoping to recapture 2023-24 form
Lindgren has undergone an impressive career resurgence since joining Washington in 2022-23. He truly broke out in 2023-24, splaying 50 games and finishing with a .911 save percentage. He was a major reason a lethargic Capitals offense was able to make the playoffs, in fact.
Unfortunately, he didn’t have the same luck in 2024-25. He finished the year with an .896 save percentage. And he finished with -4.93 Goals Saved Above Average. according to Evolving Hockey.
Lindgren has shown he can be a good goaltender in this league. His performance on Sunday night shows as much. He had added motivation against the Rangers, and they were unable to solve him. The Capitals are in action again on Tuesday when they take on the Tampa Bay Lightning.
