Quinnen Williams’ next challenge is to make Dallas’ pass rush work together against Jalon Daniels. With the Cowboys preparing for their third game in 11 days, the defensive tackle says containing Tampa Bay’s rookie quarterback requires the entire front to stay coordinated.
Williams recorded his first sack of the season in Sunday’s win over Houston. Rashan Gary supplied Dallas’ other sack. In a Wednesday report by DallasCowboys.com’s Tommy Yarrish, Williams described getting quarterbacks down and improving against the run as areas where the defense had taken a step forward.
Daniels brings a different test on Thursday. He ran for 55 yards on eight carries against Green Bay in his first NFL start, adding a touchdown pass during Tampa Bay’s 17–14 loss. Baker Mayfield is ruled out for the Dallas game, so Daniels is set for another start and his first one on the road.
Williams emphasized coordinated rushes and collapsing the pocket. That matters when pressure can send the quarterback outside rather than end the play. NFL.com’s Wednesday matchup report said Daniels completed four of eight passes for 34 yards and an interception on pressured dropbacks ending inside the pocket against Green Bay. On pressured plays where he left the pocket, he completed three of four for 15 yards and a touchdown, while also taking two sacks.
Those are separate outcomes, not a guarantee that either approach works every time. Dallas has four sacks through four games, and the league preview noted that the Cowboys pressured C.J. Stroud on 10 of 35 dropbacks in Houston. Williams’ first sack is progress within a pass rush that still needs more consistent production.
The short turnaround adds another demand. The Cowboys played in Rio de Janeiro before traveling to Houston and returning home to face Tampa Bay. Williams said he was looking forward to another opportunity to compete, while speaking only for himself about how he felt.
Thursday’s kickoff is 7:15 p.m. Central at AT&T Stadium. The next measure is whether Dallas can pressure Daniels while keeping his escape routes under control.
