Cowboys Quarter Season Winners and Losers

The Dallas Cowboys have experienced plenty of highs and lows during the first month of the 2026 NFL season.

Dallas enters Week 5 at 2-2 after a thrilling comeback victory over the Houston Texans, but the first four games have revealed both major strengths and areas of concern. Some players have exceeded expectations, while others have struggled to make the impact the Cowboys expected.

Here are the three biggest winners and three biggest losers from Dallas’ first month.

Winner: CeeDee Lamb

It is difficult to find a bigger winner on the Cowboys’ roster than CeeDee Lamb.

Lamb has been nearly impossible for opposing defenses to slow down, entering Week 5 with 37 receptions for 498 yards and four touchdowns. His performance against Houston was particularly impressive, as he set a franchise record with 17 catches for 189 yards and scored the game-winning touchdown.

Defenses know Dak Prescott is going to look Lamb’s way, yet they still haven’t found a reliable answer for him.

Loser: Von Miller

Miller has provided veteran leadership, but his production has been almost nonexistent through four games.

The veteran pass rusher has recorded just two tackles and zero sacks. That’s especially disappointing for a Cowboys defense that has struggled to generate consistent pressure throughout the season. The Cowboys as a defense has recorded six sacks so far and their leading sack leaders are Caleb Downs, Rashan Gary and Quinnen Williams all tied with one sack. 

Dallas needs more from Miller as the season progresses, particularly if the Cowboys want their revamped defensive front to live up to expectations.

Winner: Dak Prescott

Prescott has been one of the biggest reasons Dallas’ offense has remained among the team’s biggest strengths.

Through four games, he has thrown for 1,065 yards, eight touchdowns and just one interception with a QBR rating of a 83.4 which is Top 3 in the NFL.. Prescott has also delivered strong performances in consecutive weeks, leading a comeback attempt against Baltimore before throwing the game-winning touchdown to Lamb against Houston.

The Cowboys are getting exactly what they need from their quarterback, and Prescott has put himself among the team’s biggest winners of the opening month.

Loser: Cowboys’ rushing defense

The Cowboys’ rushing defense has been one of the team’s biggest problems through the first month.

Dallas has allowed 601 rushing yards through four games, allowing 150.3 yards per game which is 31st in the NFL. The Cowboys were particularly vulnerable during the first three weeks before finally putting together a much better performance against Houston.

Dallas held the Texans to just 62 rushing yards in Week 4, which was a major improvement. However, one strong performance does not erase the problems that plagued the defense earlier in the season.

Winner: Jaishawn Barham

Barham’s first month has been a story of rapid improvement.

After a up and down NFL debut, the rookie linebacker was forced into a larger role following DeMarvion Overshown’s hamstring injury. Instead of allowing the increased responsibility to overwhelm him, Barham has taken advantage of the opportunity.

He enters Week 5 with 21 tackles and four tackles for loss, establishing himself as one of the more promising young players on Dallas’ defense.

Loser: DaRon Bland

Bland has had a difficult opening month, and his struggles became especially apparent against Houston.

The cornerback surrendered 104 yards and a touchdown on seven targets in Week 4, according to the SI report, while his overall PFF grade sits at 55.5. That’s not the production Dallas expected from a player who signed a four-year, $92 million extension last year.

The arrival of Joey Porter Jr. only adds another layer to the situation. Porter gives Dallas another talented option at cornerback who has potential to become CB1. Bland now has to prove he can return to the level that made the Cowboys invest heavily in him.

The Cowboys are 2-2, so there is plenty of football left to play. Lamb, Prescott and Barham have given Dallas reasons to be encouraged, while Miller, Bland and the rushing defense needs to step up.