Nine winners and four losers from the Cowboys dominating win over Washington

The Cowboys did what they needed to do on Thursday night, get back in the win column. They crushed Washington 38-14. Let’s separate the winners and losers from the game.

Winners

DeMarcus Lawrence - Lawrence was a terror all game. His first big play was a tackle for loss (-2 yards) on a run, and he followed that on another series with a pressure that caused an incomplete pass on third down and forced a punt. He then had a strip-sack deep in Washington territory that Maliek Collins recovered. For good measure, he added another sack and a ton of pressures on Kirk Cousins.

Dez Bryant - Dez finally breaks Bob Hayes touchdown reception record for the Cowboys with his 72nd TD catch. Dez also caused a pass interference call in the end zone on a third down that led to another touchdown. For the night he had five catches for 61 yards.

Alfred Morris - The Cowboys run game finally dominated a game, and Alfred Morris was a big reason why. He showed great patience and power, and after a slow start, really ground the defense down. He had 27 runs for 127 yards and one touchdown.

Chidobe Awuzie - The rookie got the start and really did well. Awuzie stripped the ball on a pass that would have been a catch, but instead was an incompletion on third down. He had another couple of passes defensed, made a nice open field tackle, and wasn’t burnt for anything. A great debut.

Kavon Frazier - Kavon Frazier got more play at safety and really helped his case for more snaps. He had a huge special teams play when he downed a punt at Washington’s one, a play that set up field position for a touchdown. He also had three nice tackles in the game and showed some pop. He brings an intimidating force with his hits.

Anthony Hitchens - He was rarely talked about on the broadcast, but ended the night with 15 tackles, 12 of them solo tackles. He was ballin’.

Taco Charlton - Taco Charlton had a strip-sack and two tackles on the night. It’s not much, but it’s a boost for the beleaguered first-round pick.

Ryan Switzer - He was brought in to spark the Cowboys return game, and tonight he took a punt return to the house. Big play for the rookie.

The coaching staff - There’s not much to argue with this week. 38 points, a defense that harassed and turned over the Washington offense, even special teams kicked in. It was a great effort all around, and for one week, the coaches get some of the glory.

Losers

Dak Prescott’s hand - The Cowboys QB gutted it out, but his right hand was swollen after he took a hit on an option play. There was a brief moment when Cooper Rush might have gotten into the game as Dak had x-rays, but Switzer returning the punt for a TD gave the offense more time on the sideline and Dak came back. Good thing the x-rays were negative and he has 10 days to heal.

Anthony Brown - Yes, he got a garbage time interception, but Chidobe Awuzie was a huge upgrade over Brown at corner. He likely won’t start again this year unless injury strikes.

Byron Jones - It’s not like he had a terrible game, but he did give up a touchdown. The problem is Xavier Woods and Kavon Frazier are making strides, they are trying to grab playing time from Jones and Jeff Heath. Jones needs to up his game.

Cowboys haters everywhere - Okay, for one night we get to be a little cocky as fans. That was an all-around dominating effort.