Cowboys News: Dallas Win Contains A Lot Of Good, But Also Some Issues

The Dallas Cowboys played their first preseason game of the 2026 season and got a win versus the Seattle Seahawks. It didn’t start well for Dallas who gave up a quick TD, but they dominated the rest of the game.

Training camp star Camden Brown carried his momentum into the game with two eye-popping touchdown catches. The Cowboys defense stiffened up, but the Dallas special teams still have work to do.

Game Recap: Cowboys defeat Seattle, 17-7 – DallasCowboys.com

The Cowboys started slow on defense, but made up for it the rest of the game.

With backups largely playing in the first preseason game of the 2026 exhibition schedule, judging just how good new defensive coordinator Christian Parker’s defense is going to be is a bit tough. But after a slow start, his unit showed signs that things indeed might be different this year as it anchored the Dallas Cowboys to a 17-7 victory over the Seattle Seahawks.

The unit gave up a touchdown on Seattle’s opening drive of the game, but took care of business over the rest of the night, which included a goal-line stand in the fourth that essentially sealed the game. As a group, they didn’t allow a point over the final three-and-a-half quarters and limited the Seahawks to just 156 total yards of offense and a measly 76 yards passing.

Camden Brown stands out for Cowboys with 2 touchdown catches in 17-7 preseason win against Seahawks – AP via ESPN

UDFA WR Camden Brown didn’t stop with practices, he showed up when the lights came on.

Rookie Camden Brown had two touchdown catches, including a diving, one-handed snag, to help lead the Dallas Cowboys past the Seattle Seahawks 17-7 in the teams’ preseason opener Saturday night.

Brown caught a 39-yard pass from Sam Howell in the second quarter to put Dallas up 10-7. On the first drive of the third quarter, Brown snared a fade pass from Joe Milton in the back left corner of the end zone for a 2-yard touchdown.

Preseason Week 1: Cowboys settle into groove, shut down Seahawks, 17-7 – K.D. Drummond, Cowboys wire

Special teams is still an issue under Nick Sorenson. There didn’t seem to be any improvement on last year.

The special teams needs plenty of work yet again, as Nick Sorensen’s second season isn’t inspiring much hope out the gate. But with the fact that the starters weren’t suiting up, one hopes that the players who messed up in allowing the 52-yard punt return and then botched their own return at the goal line, will be nowhere near those roles in games that actually matter.

Cowboys vs. Seahawks highlights | Preseason Week 1 – NFL.com

In case you missed the game, you can see some of the highlights.

Highlights from the Preseason Week 1 matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and the Seattle Seahawks during the 2026 NFL season.

What We Learned About the Dallas Cowboys: Legitimate concerns emerge from preseason win, and roster moves could soon follow – Mauricio Rodriguez, A to Z sports

We got some clues in the tight end battle for the Cowboys.

Based on who played and who didn’t, we got a significant answer at tight end. Brevy Spann-Ford did not suit up Saturday, which tells us the Cowboys know he’s their No. 2 tight end and Jake Ferguson’s running mate in the offense.

That clarity, however, opens a lot of question marks about former second-round pick Luke Schoonmaker, who got the start Saturday night. When Schoonmaker was taken out, he watched Michael Trigg haul in four catches for 30 yards in impressive fashion. Schoonmaker should be at least a little concerned about his roster spot. We’ll see how that evolves during the next two preseason games.

Top Seahawks takeaways from 17-7 presason Week 1 loss to Cowboys – Dom Skene, Seahawks Wire

A view of the game from the enemy’s point of view.

While the rather excellent episode two of Hard Knocks has been the talk of the town the past week, the tape will reflect the team’s focus on managing and controlling violence. Derick Hall was coaching up Jalan Gaines, who was relentlessly attacking Dallas’ quarterbacks, and Mason Richman and Beau Stephens were taking the competition to the Dallas’ defensive line, both getting great downhill push in the run game. The young offensive lineman are a product of the culture Mike Macdonald and company have created and prioritized.

Daily discussion question: What did you make of Saturday night’s game?