Cleaning Up Penalties

As is typical in the preseason for most teams, penalties were a thorn in the Cowboys' side. Dallas had 13 flags thrown on them for 103 penalty yards, from procedural penalties like false starts to defensive pass interference and even having too many men on the field before a punt.

Things that we obviously need to clean up, the penalties," Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said. "They threw a lot of penalties really on both teams. That's what the preseason is for, work on your hand placement, get better. But overall, I'm really, really proud of our guys."

For comparison, the Seahawks had eight penalties called against them for 71 penalty yards. In their preseason opener a year ago, the Cowboys were penalized 11 times for 83 yards. The following week, Dallas cut down to seven penalties for 59 yards. While Schottenheimer certainly will hope they make a larger cut this time around, they can improve.

Davis Leads the Backs

A year ago, Cowboys RB Malik Davis signed back with Dallas a day before their preseason opener against the Rams, and would go on to lead the team in rushing 24 hours later with 63 yards on seven carries. Davis did not have to be brought in last minute this time around, but once again led the Cowboys running backs in yards with 39 on seven carries.

"It's a big difference this year," Davis said of this training camp with the Cowboys. "I'm able to be with the guys, be around the guys in camp, and build relationships with these guys. Going into the game, you know, these are my brothers. Last year, I was coming in not knowing guys' names and trying to figure out coaches' names. This year, it's just a big difference. I know everybody, we're family. I believe in them and they believe in me. I'm grateful that I was able to be here during camp and OTAs."

All four of the Cowboys' active running backs played on Saturday. Behind Davis was Israel Abanikanda, who had seven carries for 36 yards. Then there was second-year back Jaydon Blue, who had eight carries for 19 yards. Phil Mafah rounded out the room with four carries for nine yards, but left the game early with a chest injury. Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said he spoke with Mafah postgame, and he appears to be fine.

Special Teams Struggles

The third phase of the game is an area where the Cowboys know they need to improve in 2026. In their first preseason game, there were some struggles for Dallas, as the Seahawks' average starting field position was their own 42, compared to the Cowboys averaging beginning their drives at their own 19.

There were three accepted penalties against the Cowboys' special teams on Saturday night. The fourth was declined after WR Traeshon Holden muffed a punt at the Dallas two-yard line, which was recovered by the Seahawks. Seattle did not end up scoring after the Dallas defense stopped three straight runs before Isaiah Land sacked Jalen Milroe on fourth down.

So, there will be work to do for ST coordinator Nick Sorensen and company before Dallas' second preseason game.

Checking in on the QBs

It appears that the Cowboys' backup quarterback battle, which has been neck and neck up to this point between Sam Howell and Joe Milton, will continue to be that way heading into the second preseason game.

Howell, who started the game, completed eight of his 12 passes for 92 yards and a touchdown. He also added 15 yards on the ground. Milton completed 12 of his 15 passing attempts for 107 yards and a touchdown, with 10 yards on seven carries as well. The common factor between the two? Both of their touchdowns went to UDFA WR Camden Brown. Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer thought his quarterbacks both did what they were asked to do.

"I thought both guys functioned outstanding," Schottenheimer said. "They both were tasked with going out there and playing against heavy pressure… They brought a bunch of things against us that, not that we weren't prepared for, but we didn't handle very well, so they were taking some shots, but they just hung in there. Made the throws when they had to make them, and they're both very efficient, and that's what we want. We evaluate quarterbacks by a couple of things. One, moving the team, scoring points. And then two, protecting the football. And I thought both guys did that."

Mingo's Effort

Cowboys WR Jonathan Mingo is in the midst of an important training camp as he tries to stay in Dallas for his second full season with the team. Coaches around the NFL will say that effort is something that helps any player make the roster, and Mingo exhibited it on Saturday night.

Late in the third quarter, Seahawks returner Rashad Rochelle fielded a 53-yard Bryan Anger punt at the Seattle 16, and found some room on the right side of the field. Just when it looked like he was headed for the end zone, Mingo tracked him down after crossing the field from the opposite side to chase him down for a touchdown saving tackle that Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer commended him for after the game.

"I'm trying to go out there and put on plays," Mingo said. "Put out good film out there for me in general and for the coaches to see too. Just showing that they can have somebody, and just trying to make the team, make the receiver rotation so they can depend on me during the season. I know I can make plays. I'm ready to get back out there on the field consistently. It's been a up and down road the last couple years, but trying to go out there and show I can make plays."

A Defense's Day

It is still only the preseason, and there's plenty to learn about the Cowboys defense especially since most of the team's starters did not play on Saturday. Still, Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker had his depth players ready to go in his first game calling a defense, which he did from the sidelines.

Dallas allowed just 156 total yards of offense, 80 of which were given up on the opening drive of the game, with Seattle putting up just 76 yards in their following seven drives. The Cowboys kept the Seahawks out of the end zone on three of their four red zone trips, including one where Seattle's drive began at the Dallas five-yard line following a muffed punt by Traeshon Holden. The Cowboys had three sacks, five tackles for loss, five quarterback hits and two pass breakups.

"The defense's job is to keep people out of the end zone," Schottenheimer said. "That's what they're tasked to do. I'm fine winning games 7-3, 10-7, I don't care. But I thought they were terrific. We were a little sloppy early on, and we gave them some 10-yard penalties early on. But I thought they really buttoned down, I thought the pass rush was really good. We let [Jalen] Milroe get out a few times, which he's very athletic. Overall, I was very, very pleased. Anytime you can get three-and-outs and four-and-outs and the red zone stops, that's what you want."