“I don’t know about an expansion,” Jones said on 105.3 The Fan. “I see the games continuing like they are. And I see the ethos, if you will, of the game, the story of the game really expanding all over the world. But fundamentally, to have an expansion team, probably is pretty far. If it’s here, it’s in the future.”

The creation of a new team, especially one based outside the United States, is not something that can happen overnight. For now, Jones believes it will take a considerable amount of time, but he did not rule out the possibility of it happening.

Goodell confident he can make his vision a reality

The fact that the NFL has been taking games to different countries around the world for years is a clear indication of the league’s ability to expand the sport internationally. While Jones does not appear particularly convinced by the project of a new team, Goodell believes that sooner or later it will move forward, along with the possibility of hosting a Super Bowl outside the United States.

“At some point, there will be NFL teams outside the USA. I have no doubt that this will happen one day,” Goodell told Markus Kuhn in interview for German broadcaster RTL/ntv.

He also said about the Super Bowl: “There are definitely international cities that could host something like that. But we would like to see an NFL team in such a city first.”

What international games remain this season?

The rest of the 2026 NFL international slate features a stacked lineup starting in Week 3 with Jerry Jones taking his Cowboys down to Rio de Janeiro to face the Baltimore Ravens at the iconic Maracanã Stadium. After that, London takes over for three straight weeks: Indianapolis Colts vs. Washington Commanders in Week 4, Philadelphia Eagles vs. Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 5, and Houston Texans vs. Jaguars in Week 6.

The global tour finishes off with Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New Orleans Saints in Paris (Week 7), Cincinnati Bengals vs. Atlanta Falcons in Madrid (Week 9), New England Patriots vs. Detroit Lions in Munich (Week 10), and wraps up with Minnesota Vikings vs. San Francisco 49ers in Mexico City in Week 11.

Key takeaways

• Jerry Jones expressed skepticism regarding near-future NFL expansion into European markets.
• Roger Goodell expects global expansion and potential Super Bowl hosting in foreign cities.
• Dallas faces Baltimore at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro during Week 3.

“We’re better than we’ve been the last two years on defense,” Jones stated to the press once the game concluded. Dak Prescott’s offense has always been the team’s biggest strength, but now the Cowboys are more balanced following their recent additions.

It is often said in the NFL that defenses win championships. This season, the Cowboys spared no expense in strengthening that side of the ball, and it is clearly starting to pay off.

Schottenheimer agrees with Jones

The Commanders presented a tough challenge, especially with a leader like Jayden Daniels on the other side. America’s Team had to work hard to get the job done. There are still areas to improve, but Brian Schottenheimer echoed Jones’ comments about the defense’s improvement.

“Overall, I thought the communication was better. There’s certainly things to clean up. We certainly did a poor job of containing Jayden (Daniels), but he can do that. He does that to a lot of people. That’s really where the rush yards got away,” Schotty said during his press conference.

“And then we got some things to improve on third down. I thought we really rushed the passer well. I don’t know what the pressure numbers were. I know we didn’t get any sacks, but (Daniels) and Marcus (Mariota) were both moved off the spot quite a bit. So, I felt good about that. But there’s always things to clean up. We certainly have not arrived. We got a lot of work to do.”

Washington couldn’t handle the pressure

The Cowboys’ defense finally flexed its muscles when it mattered most to lock down a 37-20 win over Washington. While they got ripped early on by Jayden Daniels’ legs, the defense slammed the door shut right at the goal line before halftime.

In the second half, they came out swinging—forcing a crucial fumble that flipped into an instant touchdown two plays later and shutting Washington down to just 10 points after the break.

Significant improvements on Dallas’ defense

The Cowboys‘ defense went from a top-tier group to a complete liability over the past two seasons. In 2024, they were solid enough, allowing roughly 27.5 points per game, racking up 52 sacks, and picking off 13 passes. But the 2025 campaign was a total disaster: they allowed a franchise-record 511 points (over 30 a game), saw their sacks plummet to 35, and managed a measly 6 interceptions.

They simply couldn’t get off the field or force turnovers, transforming what used to be an aggressive unit into one of the league’s most porous defenses.

Key takeaways

• Jerry Jones praised the defensive growth after previous concerns over unit strength.
• Dallas Cowboys defeated the Washington Commanders 37-20 behind a second-half defensive surge.
• 511 points allowed in 2025 set a franchise record for Dallas’ struggling defense.

“Oh no,” Brady said as the injury unfolded, before also letting a profanity slip out while reacting to the graphic replay. Brady immediately apologized for the language, acknowledging that he did not expect the broadcast to show such a disturbing replay.

The moment quickly spread across social media as fans reacted not only to Brady’s unfiltered response but also to the severity of Daniels’ apparent injury. The Commanders quarterback was carted off the field after hurting his left elbow on the final play of the first half.

What happened to Jayden Daniels’ left elbow?

Jayden Daniels suffered the injury with Washington facing the Cowboys near the goal line and the clock winding down before halftime. The quarterback took the snap but appeared to have his foot stepped on by an offensive lineman, causing him to lose his balance and reach out with his left arm to brace his fall.

The quarterback’s left elbow appeared to bend awkwardly as he landed, and Daniels immediately showed signs of pain. He was eventually helped from the field and placed in an air cast before being taken to the locker room on a cart.

The injury is particularly concerning because it appears to involve the same left elbow Daniels injured during the 2025 season. Daniels previously suffered a dislocated left elbow and missed time because of it, making Sunday’s incident an especially worrying development for Washington.

For now, the injury should be described as an apparent left elbow injury rather than a confirmed diagnosis. Early reports and video appeared consistent with another dislocation, but the Commanders would need further medical evaluation to determine the full extent of the damage and establish a recovery timeline.

Daniels had been playing well before leaving the game, completing 11 of 17 passes for 96 yards and a touchdown while adding 69 rushing yards on seven carries. Marcus Mariota took over at quarterback after Daniels was forced out.

Brady’s reaction added another viral moment to what was already a frightening scene. The FOX broadcaster’s immediate “Oh no” and subsequent apology showed just how shocking the replay was, while Daniels’ injury left Washington facing major questions about its quarterback situation.

• Jayden Daniels
• Marcus Mariota
• Athan Kaliakmanis (emergency third QB)

Mariota replaced Jayden Daniels, who has been ruled out according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Last season, Daniels also wasn’t available much due to injuries. One in particular very similar to this one.

Daniels already suffered an injury to his left elbow

Jayden Daniels previously suffered a severe dislocated left elbow on November 2, 2025, during a game against the Seattle Seahawks. It was the same exact elbow he injured just now against the Cowboys.

Daniels had the grit to still try and finish the play. According to medical clinic Access Ortho, dislocating the same elbow twice greatly increases the risk of chronic joint instability, permanent stiffness, and early-onset arthritis.

How much will Daniels be out?

While imaging and MRIs still need to be taken, it seems like this injury was almost identical to the one he suffered in 2025. In that case, he ended up missing three games for the Commanders.

However, given that this is a re-injury, he could probably miss even more time. This would mean Marcus Mariota is under center for the foreseeable future. Mariota is also a mobile QB, though he doesn’t bring the upside Daniels provides.

“They just did a good job all over,” Jones said speaking on 105.3 The Fan. “And I will tell you, they were better than we thought they were. I’m anxious to see how New York continues to play, but I really — combination of things. We didn’t play as well as we should play and can play, but they played better than I thought they could.”

The NFL has provided plenty of evidence that underestimating opponents can be extremely counterproductive, and that is something Jones experienced firsthand. Now, America’s Team will have to learn their lesson in order to secure their first win of the season.

Time for Dallas to bounce back

The Dallas Cowboys got off to a rough start with a 28-20 loss to the Giants, leaving Jerry Jones and the franchise needing a quick turnaround to avoid an early-season panic. Cowboys have no time to dwell on that divisional setback, as they return to AT&T Stadium in Arlington on Sunday, September 20, for a Week 2 matchup against another NFC East rival, the Washington Commanders.

With high expectations surrounding the team, bouncing back on its home turf against Washington is practically mandatory if America’s Team want to get their season back on track before things get too chaotic.

AT&T Stadium will remain unchanged

The controversy surrounding the large windows at AT&T Stadium, which can sometimes allow sunlight to bother players, does not appear to be an issue for Jerry Jones. The Cowboys owner stated that he has no intention of tinting the windows, as was recently done at the stadium during the 2026 World Cup.

“I really don’t know about that at all,” said Jones. “So, no, not necessarily.” He also added: “No, I don’t think so. I don’t know of any plans to surprise our fans.”

However, when Nabers went back and reviewed his performance, he saw several opportunities that he believes he left on the field. The Giants receiver admitted that he needs to get back into a more natural football mentality, particularly when it comes to identifying the defense and immediately attacking upfield.

That self-criticism is notable considering Nabers had not played an NFL game since suffering his injury last season. Rather than being satisfied simply with getting through his first game back, the young receiver believes there was significantly more production available to him against Dallas.

What does Malik Nabers regret from Giants vs. Cowboys?

Nabers explained that one of the biggest things he wants to improve is his ability to immediately get north after making a catch. He believes he sometimes focused too much on what was happening around him instead of simply identifying the defense, trusting his instincts and attacking the available space.

“Yeah, just got to get back into more of the football mentality of getting north. Just taking a picture of the defense, know where everybody’s at. I left some yards out there. I left some plays out there. I feel like I could’ve scored on probably two of them if I just run straight, get more yards. So, I kind of think that was just the most frustrating thing about it. It was just like I left a lot out there that I could’ve got.”

Nabers’ comments suggest that the biggest issue was not a lack of confidence in his knee, but simply getting back into the rhythm of playing real NFL football. After spending months recovering and preparing for his return, there were naturally going to be moments when his instincts were not completely back to normal.

The most frustrating part for Nabers is that he believes two of those missed opportunities could have resulted in touchdowns. That means his 69 receiving yards against Dallas may not fully represent how much impact he felt he could have had in the game.

For the Giants, that could be an encouraging development. Nabers was already productive in his first game back, and if he can eliminate some of the hesitation and rust he identified against Dallas, his production could increase as the season progresses.

The Giants will now face the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night, giving Nabers another opportunity to build on his return. After acknowledging that he left plenty of plays on the field against Dallas, the receiver will be looking to turn those regrets into bigger plays in Week 2.

Dak Prescott understands why the loss was frustrating, but the Cowboys quarterback does not believe one game should define the team’s season. With Dallas preparing for its Week 2 home opener against the Washington Commanders, Prescott was asked about fans already becoming impatient and questioning whether this year’s team will be different.

His response was direct. Prescott acknowledged that the Cowboys were just as disappointed as their supporters after starting the season 0-1, but he also reminded fans that there are still 16 games remaining and plenty of time for Dallas to change the narrative.

Dak Prescott sends clear message to frustrated Cowboys fans

Dak Prescott made it clear that he loves Cowboys fans, but he does not feel the need to respond to every supporter who is already losing faith in the team. For the veteran quarterback, the people who truly believe in Dallas will continue supporting the team throughout the long NFL season.

“I mean, it’s a long season. I love our fans, but I don’t necessarily feel like I need to speak to that fan, you know? Sorry for them. If they’re a real fan, they’ll stick with it. They’ll trust it. They’ll believe in it. And at the end of the day like we just said, it’s one game.”

Prescott also made clear that the Cowboys are not satisfied with the way the season began. The quarterback said nobody inside the locker room was more frustrated than the players themselves, while pointing out that the team had entered the season with the same excitement surrounding its offseason changes and training camp.

Dallas now has an opportunity to respond immediately against Washington, and Prescott wants the team’s supporters to turn their frustration into energy inside AT&T Stadium. The Cowboys quarterback’s message was ultimately about perspective: the loss to the Giants matters, but it is only the first result of a 17-game regular season.

With expectations still extremely high around the Cowboys, the pressure will only increase if they fail to respond in Week 2. Prescott, however, is asking fans to remain patient and judge the team over the course of the season rather than after one disappointing performance.

“Nobody’s more pissed than myself and these guys in here. We didn’t want to start 0-1. We’re as excited as any fan out there about the offseason and things we’ve done in training camp. So, turn that energy and come to the game this Sunday and be as loud as you can. We appreciate it.”

Speaking with 105.3 The FAN, Jones mentioned teams such as the Seattle Seahawks, but also made it clear that “the first game for this team was unquestionably important. Don’t get it wrong.” Jones also placed particular emphasis on the team’s defensive struggles in Week 1.

“The last time that I was involved in as much change as we have made this year was the first year that I bought the Dallas Cowboys and we won one game … I think that’s an explanation, a valid one. There’s a lot of change to that side of the ball. We’re very optimistic that we can play better right now than what we played there Sunday night.”

Cowboys’ defense struggles against Giants

America’s Team’s defense had a rough night at MetLife Stadium, getting completely worn down in a 28-20 season-opening loss to the New York Giants. New York completely dictated the pace, outgaining Dallas 394 to 244 in total yards and dominating the clock with a staggering 36:40 time of possession.

The Cowboys couldn’t figure out Jaxson Dart, who torched them for 230 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, and an efficient 79.3% completion rate, all while adding 54 yards on the ground. Factor in another 165 rushing yards surrendered to the Giants’ backfield, and it was clear the defense spent way too much time gasping for air on the field.

Time to bounce back

The Cowboys won’t have time to sulk after that opening-night flop against the Giants, as a crucial stretch lies ahead. They’ll return to Arlington to host the Washington Commanders in Week 2, aiming to fix their defensive communication and re-establish control at home.

Next comes a marquee international showdown against the Baltimore Ravens in Rio de Janeiro, followed by a quick turnaround for an in-state battle against the Houston Texans. To get back on track, Dallas must tighten up its run defense, settle down Dak Prescott, and prove that Week 1 was just a fluke rather than a sign of systemic flaws.

The Seahawks’ recent experience

Although the Seattle Seahawks stumbled in Week 1 of the 2025 season with a tight 17-13 home loss to the San Francisco 49ers, they bounced back to pull off an incredible championship run. Mike Macdonald’s team ultimately capped off its dominant year by capturing the trophy in Super Bowl LX, overpowering the New England Patriots in a 29-13 victory.

Even though head coach Brian Schottenheimer admitted the physicality brought by the Giants was too much for the Cowboys, many believe there was one play where the game was lost for Dallas. That was Prescott’s costly interception before the end of the first half.

“Yes. Yes, [that was when the game turned]. We all know you can’t make it on a play. But a play sometimes is the decisive point,” Jones stated during an interview on 105.3 The FAN. “And there’s no question that [Prescott’s interception] was impactful for the entire game, what happened to us.”

The quarterback wants to move on. Prescott made that clear when he acknowledged the loss to New York while urging Dallas to stay focused on the 2026 NFL season. However, the loss stings, and he didn’t get such grace from America’s Team’s owner.

Prescott’s first INT in a while

Although his pick on Sunday night against the Giants wasn’t the first time the Cowboys’ signal-caller made an eyebrow-raising play in primetime, it was indeed his first turnover in a long time. Obviously, the fact that it was only Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season and Dallas hadn’t played since January helps.

Still, Prescott had entered the season with a four-game interception-less streak. Dak had finished the last season stringing together several clean games. However, he didn’t have the best of starts to the campaign.

Prescott finished the 28-20 loss in New York with 175 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Prior to Week 1, Prescott’s last interception in an NFL game was on Dec. 4, 2025, when he threw two picks in a 44-30 loss to the Detroit Lions.

While that’s all great and encouraging, it’s even better because New York avoided injuries in Week 1. The first test of the season is done, and the Giants passed it with flying colors, losing no men in the process—the same can’t be said about the Cowboys. One couldn’t have asked for a better start to the year and Harbaugh‘s tenure in the Big Apple.

“John Harbaugh said Giants came out ‘fine’ health-wise,” as reported by Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post Sports on X. Perhaps having Malik Nabers return to action and do so with no setbacks was the biggest news out of the medical department. Throughout the game, some players showed discomfort, but nothing major, so Week 1 of the 2026 NFL campaign can be considered a success.

Cowboys suffered big loss in Week 1

In addition to the disheartening defeat, the Cowboys’ alarms sounded after safety Malik Hooker exited the game with an upper-body injury. Now, his medical report has come out.

“Malik Hooker fractured a bone in his forearm and he’s consulting with a hand specialist to learn his recovery time,” Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported on his X account.

Giants could add former Cowboys RB after Week 1 win

The Giants are rubbing salt in the Cowboys’ wounds. Just hours after New York outplayed, dominated, and, in the eyes of many, humiliated Dallas on national television, the G-Men have gone after a player the Cowboys once had under contract. Phil Mafah, a former Cowboys running back, visited the Giants’ facilities in East Rutherford. According to a report, it’s only a matter of time before he signs with the practice squad.

“Former Cowboys RB Phil Mafah is visiting Giants today and expected to sign with [the Giants’] practice squad,” Art Stapleton of NorthJersey.com reported.

Mafah, a sophomore out of Clemson, played only one game with the Cowboys last season. In fact, it was against the Giants at MetLife Stadium in Week 18 (34-17 win for New York). He had five carries for 18 yards and a touchdown, as well as two receptions for 11 yards.

It’s far from ideal. Especially with the way the game went. It never really looked as if the Cowboys had any chance of coming back in the game. Learning they may be behind the Giants in the race for the NFC East—and discovering that one game into the season—is less than encouraging.

Still, the NFL regular season is long. It’s not a sprint but a marathon. Prescott understands that and never lost track of it, not even in the aftermath of the primetime defeat in East Rutherford. His hope is that the rest of the team and fanbase acknowledge it, too.

“I know our standard. Don’t change, don’t flinch, don’t blink,” Dak Prescott stated postgame, via the Dallas Morning News’ Joseph Hoyt. “This is a long year. We have to stick together.”

Prescott’s 2026 debut

Tyler Smith’s injury-related absence can serve as an excuse. The offensive line struggled, especially against second-year pass rusher Abdul Carter, who wreaked havoc wherever he was lined up. That led to Prescott being under duress all night long and having to stay alert in the pocket. He was never sacked, but he had a couple of close calls.

Prescott looked a gear off with his accuracy, and he made a couple of decisions that left fans scratching their heads. The biggest of them came late in the second quarter. Before the half, Prescott forced a throw on 3rd-and-5 with 58 seconds left in the quarter. His pass landed nowhere near a receiver but instead into the sliding hands of safety Jevon Holland.

Off that turnover in great field position, the Giants broke the deadlock with a touchdown and headed into the locker room with a 14-7 lead. They got the ball to start the second half, and Jaxson Dart commanded an eight-minute drive that ended with another touchdown.

That was when the game felt all but decided. There were over 20 minutes left, but it looked bleak for Dallas. And it was. Prescott finished the night with 22 completions on 34 attempts for 175 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception.

Cowboys must bounce back

Indeed, losing on the road to a divisional opponent and in such an overwhelming fashion—not on the scoreboard, but on the playing field—is a terrible way to start an NFL season. However, it would be absurd to throw in the towel one game into the year. This loss will only sting and be as painful for its playoff hopes as Dallas allows it to be.

The last thing they can afford is to start pointing blaming fingers around the room. Even though former wide receiver Dez Bryant aimed at George Pickens and his lackluster performance to start his franchise-tag year, Dallas can’t let the outside noise into the building.

Cowboys face Commanders in Week 2

The Cowboys will get one moment to lick their wounds before putting their pads back on. And what better opportunity to do so than to take down another NFC East foe back home in the Lone Star State?

Next Sunday (Sept. 20), the Cowboys will host the 0-1 Washington Commanders. Both sides will be coming off road losses within the division, so it will be a battle of equal desperation. Even in that sense, though, everything is bigger in Texas, and the Cowboys will be bearing the heavier weight on their shoulders.