Even in the preseason, the lights at AT&T Stadium burn bright. Last night’s matchup against the New England Patriots didn’t end in our favor on the scoreboard — a 34–13 loss — but scoreboard results in August never outweigh what the Cowboys came into this game to accomplish: getting extended evaluation reps for a young quarterback room, nurturing rhythm between new offensive pieces, and taking the first real steps toward shaping the 53-man roster.
The opener delivered exactly that. A long look at rookie QB Alonza Barnett II, flashes from Ryan Wingo and George Pickens on the boundary, urgent defensive closing speed from Marist Liufau and Henry To’oTo’o, plus a tone-setting interception by A.J. Terrell gave the staff film with real substance heading into Week 2 of the preseason.
Below is your full 12–15 minute breakdown of the night — what mattered, what surprised, and what the tape will be telling us in the next few days.
I. Opening Drive Jitters — Young Offense Tries to Find Its Footing
The Cowboys opened the night with the ball in rookie QB Alonza Barnett II’s hands, signaling loudly that this preseason is partially about his evaluation and partially about pushing the quarterback room to its competitive best. The results were mixed — and that’s exactly what preseason reps are supposed to reveal.
Barnett struggled early with timing against pressure. New England brought disguised looks and interior stunts, frequently forcing the rookie to throw just ahead of his progression. His 13 completions on 31 attempts (41%) don’t tell the entire story — Dallas dialed up aggressive downfield concepts to test his arm and confidence early, and Barnett didn’t shy away from throwing into tight windows.
His 148 passing yards, a 26-yard long, and one touchdown show that when the pocket held and his eyes stayed disciplined, the offense moved the ball. But the two interceptions and four sacks underline the coaching points coming this week: quicker rhythm releases, better pre-snap recognition of safety rotation, and avoiding drifting into pressure when getting off his first read.
Still — Barnett didn’t play scared. For a rookie QB in his first showcase, that’s the foundation you want.
II. Maalik Murphy’s Cameo — Small Sample, Big Learning Moments
Second-year quarterback Maalik Murphy, coming off his first NFL offseason, took fewer snaps but faced the same defensive aggression. His 6.5 passer rating, 2-for-7 passing, and one interception represent a stat line that won’t make headlines — but film tells us something different:
- The ball came out decisively, even if not always accurately
- His best throw was his 25-yard strike outside the numbers, showing arm talent remains a legitimate tool
- His mobility gave the offense a slightly different tempo when protections broke down
Murphy’s snaps were about reaffirming growth. The decision-making improvement is visible — now accuracy and ball placement need to follow.
III. Run Game Warm-Up — Phil Mafah Gets Workload, Blue Flashes Burst
While the passing game took center stage, the backfield quietly gave the coaching staff information they needed.
| Player | Carries | Yards | Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phil Mafah | 10 | 39 | 3.9 |
| Jaydon Blue | 3 | 17 | 5.7 |
| T.J. Walker | 4 | 12 | 3.0 |
Phil Mafah ran purposefully between the tackles, absorbing contact and maintaining forward momentum, while Jaydon Blue delivered his usual spark — two broken tackles and clear burst off the handoff. When the offensive line got hats to the second level, both backs proved capable of creating hidden yardage.
The preseason priority in the run game isn’t production — it’s trust and timing. On that front, Dallas took a step forward.
IV. Ryan Wingo Begins His Case — WR Room Competition Intensifies
If anyone made a statement that resonates deeper than the preseason box score, it was rookie WR Ryan Wingo.
| Player | Receptions | Yards | Long |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan Wingo | 5 | 85 | 25 |
| George Pickens | 3 | 53 | 26 |
| Theo Knox | 2 | 20 | 13 |
| KaVontae Turpin | 3 | 15 | 7 |
Wingo worked all three levels of the route tree:
- Boundary comebacks
- Crossers beating zone
- Deep in-breaking routes showing physicality at the catch point
His yards after catch opportunities were limited by New England’s pursuit angles, but his separation without the ball was the real headline — the staff repeatedly noted how comfortable he looked manipulating leverage.
Meanwhile, George Pickens reminded everyone of his big-play ability, posting 53 yards on just three catches and winning several physical battles on the outside. If Pickens and Wingo become a consistent two-man punch, the Cowboys’ passing identity shifts in real time.
V. Defensive Takeaways — Liufau Leads, Terrell Snags Momentum
Dallas’ defense had their hands full with short-field situations after turnovers, but several players individually stepped forward.
Top Defensive Performers
| Player | Tackles (Total) | Key Play |
|---|---|---|
| Marist Liufau | 8 | Sideline-to-sideline motor |
| Henry To’oTo’o | 8 | 1 TFL — strong interior reads |
| A.J. Terrell | 5 | 1 INT & 20-yard return |
| Patrick Payton | 4 | 1 Sack — speed off edge |
| Markus Kneeland | 4 | 0.5 Sack — anchor and shed |
Liufau, the emotional center of the second level, played like a heat-seeking missile. Whether flowing outside or stepping downhill versus power, he consistently arrived with control and force.
A.J. Terrell’s interception was a tone-setter — reading the quarterback’s eyes, breaking downhill with confidence, and flipping possession to the offense. For a unit under evaluation due to lineup battles in the secondary, it was a timely reminder of what veteran presence can look like.
VI. The Scoreboard vs. The Mission
Final Score:
New England Patriots 34 — Dallas Cowboys 13
Turnovers (3), stalled drives, and the inability to finish scoring possessions defined the margin. But the coaching staff’s eyes were never on August results — they were on September readiness.
Dallas finished with 298 total yards, 180 through the air and 73 on the ground, and went 6-for-11 on third down, showing that offensive rhythm existed — consistency just needs to catch up.
VII. Where We Go From Here — Refinement Week Ahead
Expect practice emphasis this upcoming week to include:
- Faster hot-read processing for Barnett and Murphy
- Expanded packages for Wingo and Pickens to build chemistry
- More power-run and gap-down concepts for Mafah & Blue
- Handling pressure without negative plays
- Defensive communication on early down play-action
The preseason is a runway — not a destination.
VIII. Final Word — The Foundation is Visible
If Week 1 of the preseason was about identity, then Dallas walked away with clarity:
- Alonza Barnett II is fearless and moldable
- Ryan Wingo is further along than expected
- George Pickens is still a matchup problem
- Liufau and To’oTo’o are the heartbeat of the linebacking corps
- A.J. Terrell is poised for a turnover surge
The score didn’t favor us — but the developmental arrows pointed in the right direction.
And in August, that’s how you win.
