The Dallas Cowboys and Dak Prescott had a tough Week 1. That was especially true for George Pickens. And Christian Parker preached accountability after getting humbled by the Giants in his defensive coordinator debut, according to a post on X by Jon Machota.

“Cowboys DC Christian Parker on overcoming what happened in their Week 1 loss to the Giants: ‘Getting back to work. It’s one poor performance. It’s one loss that does not equal two. We’re not trying to make excuses for anything. We’re not trying to act like it didn’t happen. We got to look in the mirror. We got to be accountable for what we did wrong and what we did right. Correct it and then move on to the next opponent. Because there can’t be a hangover, and it can’t linger.’ ”

The Cowboys get a chance to right things when they take on the Commanders at home in Week 2.

Cowboys defense needs improvement

One player that didn’t stand up was rookie edge rusher Malachi Lawrence, according to a post on X by Nick Harris. Parker told Lawrence he needs to simply play.

“We had this conversation yesterday. Man, just go,” Parker said. “Young players have success when they just go. Make your mistakes on the run. His mistakes were on me. They belong to me. We want him to just go and play fast. When he does that, and he has a clear mind, he's just going and punching the clock.

“It looks really good. When he's thinking too much, and you can tell by his feet being hesitant, that's when you have issues. I think for him and any young player, it's just playing fast and going, being unapologetic about your play style, and let me make the mistakes.”

Another young player who struggled was rookie linebacker Jaishawn Barham.

“He was a little frustrated with himself and frustrated with our side of the ball,” Parker said. “But I don’t think anybody in our building has any doubt of what he’s going to do coming real soon.

“We don’t have any reservations about his mentality. We welcome that passion.”