FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys defenders called their own meeting after Sunday’s 37-20 win over the Washington Commanders and doused defensive coordinator Christian Parker with water to mark his first win as a coordinator, coach Brian Schottenheimer said Monday at The Star.
Parker, 34, called his first game as a defensive coordinator in the 28-20 loss to the New York Giants on Sept. 13. Dallas hired him in January after allowing 511 points in 2025, the most in the NFL. Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart completed 23-of-29 passes for 230 yards, 3 touchdowns, and no interceptions in the opener, and New York converted 9 of 11 third downs.
Parker took responsibility for what needed to be cleaned up after that loss, Schottenheimer said, and so did the rest of the defense. Dallas allowed 20 points Sunday after giving up 28 in New York, and outside linebacker Rashan Gary led the celebration afterward.
“He hasn’t changed. I said this the other day, he didn’t blink all week. I think took responsibility, accountability for the things that we needed to get cleaned up. I think the whole defense did. And I think there was improvement last night,” Schottenheimer said. “I think we still are striving to play even better and more consistently, but Christian has never one time changed. And I think that’s what you love. That’s what you look for. When the water gets rocky and the boat starts shaking, you want to look for guys that there’s no panic. And I don’t see panic with Christian. And I think that’s a good thing.”
“And it was really cool for me when we broke the team up after we did our normal end of game thing. The defense called a meeting, and I think it was Rashan, it was RG. RG wanted to announce to the guys, congratulations to CP getting his first win as a defensive coordinator,” Schottenheimer continued. “They went crazy, doused him with water, and just shows you how much they love and respect him.”
Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels completed 11 of 17 passes for 96 yards and 1 touchdown Sunday. He also ran 7 times for 69 yards before he dislocated his left elbow at the end of the first half, and Marcus Mariota played the second half.
Brian Schottenheimer Credits Jaishawn Barham’s Green Dot Work
Rookie linebacker Jaishawn Barham started at middle linebacker in place of DeMarvion Overshown and wore the green dot, relaying Parker’s calls. Barham suffered a stinger, came back, and forced a fumble on a receiver screen on his first play back. Dee Winters recovered it. Schottenheimer backed Barham before the game after a difficult debut in New York.
Communication is where Schottenheimer starts when he looks at the defensive film from Sunday. Barham played well, Schottenheimer said.
“I thought the communication was better. I really did. Again, I thought Jaishawn did a terrific job with the green dot. I was really proud of him,” Schottenheimer said. “I think he played well, got the forced fumble. That was great. But, like I said, I wasn’t surprised that the communication was better, but I would start there.”
Winters left with a shoulder injury in the second quarter, and Shemar James replaced him at linebacker. James handled green dot duties in his extended action and had to change helmets on the sideline when Dallas put him in, Schottenheimer said.
“I think Shemar did a really good job. I think it was a little different because when we were putting him in, he had to put on helmets and all that stuff. But he’s so composed,” Schottenheimer explained. “If you watch him out there, he’s such a great communicator. You can turn the film on and, like we always say, you don’t hear a word he’s saying, but you see the communication, the directing of traffic. And I thought he did a very nice job.”
How Dallas Cowboys Grade Washington Plays That Did Not Count
Two long Washington touchdowns came off the board Sunday. A 34-yard touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin was overturned on replay in the second quarter, and Mariota’s 29-yard touchdown pass to Dyami Brown on the first drive of the third quarter was ruled incomplete. That drive ended in a 47-yard field goal.
Those plays still go into the Cowboys’ grading. An overthrown ball is graded the same way as a completion, Schottenheimer said.
“We grade everything in terms of, OK, what was the technique, one? What was the assignment, two? And then what was the result of the play?” Schottenheimer said. “Whether they catch it, whether they don’t catch it, we’re still making the same notes because, again, if they throw it and they catch it or they throw it and it gets overthrown like that, there’s still a correctable technique, assignment, scheme, communication. And so to us, we look at it very separately.”
Dallas plays the Baltimore Ravens and two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson on Sunday at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. Kickoff is 3:25 p.m. CT.
