The Dallas Cowboys’ defense covered up for the embarrassing mistakes and loss to the Carolina Panthers. Now, after a commanding 44-22 win over the, both head coach Brian Schottenheimer and owner Jerry Jones weighed in on the defense’s performance and the team’s stance as the trade deadline approaches.

Its defense, which had been stealing the spotlight after the Week 7 game. The Cowboys approached with more man-to-man coverage and blitzing, which did wonders. When asked about the new approach, Jones expressed relief at how both their old and new strategies worked.

“I know what we’re trying to do defensively,” he said. “And what I can appreciate about today, and I hope our fans see, is the way we are making changes, the way we’re executing those changes.”

After restricting the Commanders to just 22 points, the Cowboys’ head coach, Schottenheimer, was also full of praise for his defensive unit for limiting the opponent QB.

“They played really hard like they always do,” the coach said. “I thought we affected the quarterback the way that we had in New York. I think that’s huge. It wasn’t just the four sacks, it was the hits. I thought our run defense really was great. [Marcus] Mariota got us for a couple runs and but man, they were swarming the ball. We were sticky in coverage, and that was all great to see.”

This win is even more special because the Cowboys played this game without their cornerback, Trevor Diggs, who missed Week 7 due to concussion protocol.

The Cowboys’ owner had a lot more to share than the Cowboys coach did on Friday (October 17) when announcing Diggs’ concussion. “I don’t think the nature of his injury was something,” Jones said, “that would impact us for a long time, weeks ahead. I think it could possibly be behind us this week.”

He didn’t reveal the specifics behind the injury, but expects the CB to return to action soon. “He had an accident, and I’m good with that. We need him,” he shared. “We’ll be a lot better team with Diggs.”

Coach Schottenheimer shared the sentiments when asked about whether Diggs will remain on the roster. “Yeah, yeah,” he didn’t hesitate to confirm. “I’m a Trevon fan. I’m excited to get him back, and hopefully it won’t be too long.”

With trade rumors swirling across the league, Jones was also asked about wide receiver George Pickens, who shares the same agent as former Cowboys star Micah Parsons, David Mulugheta. And the lengthy contract dispute between Parsons, Mulugheta, and the Cowboys, along with public jabs, is not a secret.

When pressed about whether there should be any concern, Jones simply brushed it off.

“Don’t pay any attention to that,” he said. “Too much of this made of that, okay, that the agent actually had, has something to do with the ultimate decision of where we want to go. It almost had to see what we do with it. Period.”

He believes that a drama like the one with Parsons is unlikely to happen. For now, the city, players, and coaches are more excited to celebrate the return of wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.

CeeDee Lamb joined Dak Prescott and George Pickens for a stunning performance

The WR is back and in a big way. After rehabbing his injury, he could’ve suited up in Week 6 against the Panthers but chose extra rest instead. That didn’t disappoint.

As he returned for the Week 7 game, Lamb teamed up with Dak Prescott and Pickens for an explosive game. His 100-yard game streak is extended as he had five catches, 110 yards, and another.

The Cowboys missed that spark that the WR has with his teammates. “That’s not why I’m hungry,” Lamb said. “Why I’m hungry is me missing time and doing what I love and playing with the guys that I love and breaking the huddle and being able to just go out there and be me.”

Jones’ squad will need more of that energy as they hope for the defense to keep up with the pace.