The hope for the Cowboys is that what we saw from the defense in the impressive Week 7 win over the Commanders–a 44-22 dismantling–can be carried over into Week 8 and beyond, that it was not the product of a Washington team struggling with quarterback Jayden Daniels not at full health. Dallas’s willingness to move from Matt Eberflus’s zone into more man-to-man coverage gives some hope, but so did the performance from one veteran at a spot in which the Cowboys really need production.

The spot is pass rusher. The veteran is Jadeveon Clowney.

The Cowboys signed Clowney, the former No. 1 overall pick, last month to help fix a struggling pass rush, and after three mediocre games to start his Cowboys career, he had a doozy on Sunday. Clowney had a sack, knocked down two passes and recovered a fumble on the day, not bad for a mere 26 snaps worth of work.

Cowboys Saw Big Improvement Heading Into Week 8

At Pro Football Focus, Clowney’s previous three games had yielded unimpressive grades. In Week 7, he had one of the best pass-rushing performances in the NFL, and got a defensive grade of 89.6, a vast improvement over the 30.6 grade he received in Week 6.

Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer was impressed.

“He’s so happy to be here,” the coach said. “He’s having fun playing football again. For me, that’s important because of the culture we’re trying to build here. It was good to see him get a sack and recover a fumble because that’s why we went out and got him. I probably downplayed it a little bit, just his ability to impact games.

“But I wanted to wait until he had a moment like this to give him the acknowledgement of what a fine, fine football player he is.”

Jadeveon Clowney ‘Bringing Energy’

The Cowboys started the season with one of the worst pass-rush units in the NFL, but gradually, they have been improving. PFF grades the team’s pass rush at 70.8, which is 16th in the NFL. With the offense that the Cowboys have, just getting the defense to league average would make this an imposing team to face.

Clowney was let go by the Panthers for contract reasons after last season, and spent the summer unsigned. Without a training camp, he needed some time to ramp up, but if what they saw in Week 7 keeps rolling in Week 8, the Cowboys got themselves a steal.

“Just bringing my energy, my effort out there, and I think that’s going to be enough for me. Just let my play do the talking,” Clowney said after signing.

“I feel good. Football, it’s coming back, like riding a bike. Just get out there and go, and work your hands and make sure you just run to the ball, you’ll get in shape.”