The Dallas Cowboys finally won another game in 2020 and took sole leadership of the NFC East with a 37-34 victory over the New York Giants. But the good feelings are muted as Dak Prescott was carted off the field in the third quarter with a major right ankle injury.

Greg Zuerlein scored the 34-yard game winner, his third field goal of the day, after Andy Dalton and Michael Gallup led the team down the field with only 56 seconds left on the clock. Dalton went 9-of-11 for 111 yards after entering the game early in the third quarter.

Dallas had rallied to post a 24-20 halftime lead after being down 14-3 in the first quarter. Prescott had not put up his customary huge passing numbers yet, but he did score on his first career receiving touchdown off a fake reverse pass from Cedrick Wilson.

Unfortunately, Dallas’ first drive after halftime saw Dak go down on a designed run play. His foot got caught up under the leg of the tackler and he immediately clutched his lower leg. Prescott left and it’s already being reported that he will have ankle surgery tonight.

The exact injury has not yet been disclosed.

Cowboys’ QB Dak Prescott is undergoing ankle surgery tonight, sources tell @mortreport and me.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 11, 2020

The victory gives Dallas only their second win of 2020 but that’s enough for first place in the horrid NFC East. Philadelphia and Washington both have just one win each and today’s loss put the Giants at 0-5 on the year.

It’s hard to have positive thoughts right now in the wake of Dak’s injury, but this is why the Cowboys went with an experienced veteran like Andy Dalton over keeping Cooper Rush as their backup quarterback. And at least for one afternoon, Dalton rewarded that choice by keeping the offense poised and helping put up just enough points to eek out the win.

Thankfully, even if Dalton has to start the rest of the way, he may still be the best QB in football’s sorriest division.

Other Notes

• Ezekiel Elliott had 91 yards and two touchdowns on just 19 carries. He looked like his old self, shedding contract and grinding out extra yardage with strength and effort.
• After weeks of criticism, Jaylon Smith stepped up big today to lead the team in tackles, three for a loss, along with 1.5 sacks. He looked more confident in his decisions and was getting to the ball much faster.
• DeMarcus Lawrence’s first sack of 2020 caused a fumble that CB Anthony Brown returned for  touchdown. It was Dallas’ first defensive touchdown since Week 9 of the 2019 season, which was another Daniel Jones fumble that Jourdan Lewis returned all the way.
• DT Trysten Hill was also carted off with a leg injury today. It’s a tough blow as the second-year player was one of the few bright spots on defense. The type and severity of the injury have not yet been reported.
• Today marked the first career starts for C Tyler Biadasz and S Donovan Wilson.  The rookie center is now playing while Joe Looney spends at least three weeks on injured reserve. Wilson replaced a benched Darian Thompson midway through last week’s game and has now taken his spot on the depth chart.
• The Cowboys will now prepare with Andy Dalton as starting QB for a Monday night game next week against the Arizona Cardinals.