Jerry Jones’ Cowboys break nearly a decade-long streak in preseason opener

Jerry Jones’ Dallas Cowboys head into the 2026 NFL season with high expectations, seen as one of the league’s most talented but unpredictable playoff contenders under Brian Schottenheimer. The team wasted little time backing up that optimism, opening its preseason schedule with an impressive 17-7 win over the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday.

The win also marked a notable milestone for Dallas. It was the Cowboys’ first preseason-opening victory since 2017, when they defeated the Arizona Cardinals in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, marking the same year Jones was inducted into the Hall of Fame. Excluding Hall of Fame Games, Dallas had not won its preseason opener since 2012, when it edged the Oakland Raiders 3-0.

While preseason results should always be viewed with caution, the Cowboys’ defensive performance was particularly encouraging. Seattle managed to score only seven points despite reaching the Dallas red zone four different times. Whether it was against starters or backups, holding an opponent to one touchdown in those situations reflected the discipline and effectiveness of defensive coordinator Christian Parker’s retooled unit.

It remains too early to make sweeping conclusions about how dominant Parker’s defense can become this season. However, after a somewhat sluggish start, the group settled in nicely by consistently making plays and showing flashes of the aggressive identity the coaching staff has been trying to establish. Their strong effort ultimately played a big role in securing the Cowboys’ victory.

The offense also needed some time to find its rhythm before beginning to move the ball effectively. Sam Howell received the starting nod at quarterback and handled the first two quarters, while Joe Milton took over after halftime to finish the game. By the end of the afternoon, the Cowboys had accumulated 338 total yards of offense while controlling the flow of the game.

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