Caleb Downs got a long look in his first NFL game. The Dallas Cowboys’ first-round pick played 60 defensive snaps against the New York Giants, finishing with seven tackles, three quarterback pressures and a sack.

Now, Downs is ready for another first. The rookie will play at AT&T Stadium for the first time as a Cowboy when Dallas hosts the Washington Commanders on Sunday.

“Excitement, honestly,” Downs said about Sunday’s game. “It’s the best feeling to be able to play this game. There’s no really other way to feel about it then just straight joy. I’m excited to do that, and we’re excited to do what we need to do to get a win.”

Downs is not looking at his debut only through the good moments. He knows there were plays he made and others he would like to have back. That is also how he plans to judge himself after each game.

“Did some good things, some things to clean up,” Downs said, according to the Dallas Cowboys official website. “That’s how I’m going to always look at it. Made a couple plays, a couple plays I wish I had back.”

The Cowboys have more than a few things to fix after their 28-20 loss to the Giants. New York finished with 394 total yards, and Downs has seen a different approach from the defense during the week.

“Very intentional, very focused,” Downs said of the defense’s approach this week. “Trying to just be on the same page on everything that we do. That’s the biggest thing on defense, is communicating and being on the same page.”

That communication will be especially important against Jayden Daniels. The Commanders quarterback has averaged 7.1 yards per carry against Dallas, totaling 136 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries across three games.

Downs already knows what Daniels can bring. The two faced each other in college when Downs was at Alabama in 2024. Alabama won that game 42-28 in Tuscaloosa, with Downs recording 13 tackles. Daniels threw for 219 yards and two touchdowns while adding 163 rushing yards and another score.

Dallas enters its home opener looking for its first win of the season. Downs will get his first chance to experience an NFL game at AT&T Stadium when the Cowboys face Washington at 3:25 p.m. CT on Sunday.

Still, Downs’ debut was not without a few lessons. One of them came on a third-down play involving Isaiah Likely.

What did Caleb Downs learn from his NFL debut?

Caleb Downs already knows which play from his NFL debut he wants back. The Dallas Cowboys rookie saw Isaiah Likely’s route coming, but he could not finish the play.

It happened on third-and-3 during Dallas’ 28-20 loss to the New York Giants. Likely lined up in the slot, gave Downs a look toward the outside and then cut inside for a 5-yard catch.

“Option route, pretty much,” Downs said according to Dallas Sports Journal.

The Giants tight end finished his first game with eight catches for 78 yards and two touchdowns. New York also converted nine of 11 third downs, putting extra pressure on the Cowboys defense.

“Everybody saw it was close, but close doesn’t really pay the bill. So I got to make that play. And that’s what it is,” Downs added.

Downs played 61 defensive snaps and finished with seven tackles, including four solo stops. He also came up with a big play in the second quarter, getting to Jaxson Dart for an 8-yard sack and forcing a fumble. The Giants recovered, but it was still one of Downs’ standout moments.

For Downs, the debut was about learning, making plays, and knowing which ones he needs to finish the next time around.

Written by

Debanjali Rakshit