“DON’T GET COMFORTABLE”

Perhaps nobody entered this season with more responsibility on his shoulders than Prescott.

On opening night, he responded.

Prescott completed 18 of 22 passes for 423 yards and four touchdowns, commanding a Dallas offense that repeatedly attacked New York downfield.

TSG saw more than numbers.

He saw the culmination of an offseason.

“I’ve seen confidence and just everything that he’s worked for in the offseason pay off. Leading the team, running this offense, demanding from this offense and delivering.”

That word — demanding — might be the most important.

This is Prescott's offense, and Dallas wants its quarterback playing like it.

Against New York, he did.

The Cowboys generated explosive plays throughout the night, with CeeDee Lamb finishing with 131 receiving yards, Pickens adding 138 and Ryan Flournoy producing another 90 yards and a touchdown.

But the connection between Prescott and Pickens provided some of the night's biggest fireworks.

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THE PICKENS PROBLEM

Five receptions.

138 yards.

Three touchdowns.

Pickens didn't need 12 catches to take over the game.

He just needed opportunities.

TSG believes that versatility is precisely what makes his new weapon so difficult to account for.

“Him attacking in the first quarter, getting open, making plays — he’s such a weapon. If we put him in motion, if we have him in the slot, if we have him outside, it doesn’t matter. Teams have to account for him, and it opens up everything else for us.”

That's where this Dallas offense becomes interesting.

Pickens doesn't have to replace Lamb as the centerpiece of the passing attack.

He can make Lamb more dangerous.

Defenses now have another player whose location has to be identified before every snap.

And if additional attention begins drifting toward Pickens?

Lamb is waiting.

TSG says his players understand exactly what that means.

“The guys know that in this locker room, and they capitalize on it every minute they get.”

For all the spectacular passing numbers, TSG seemed equally encouraged by something Dallas hasn't always possessed under his leadership:

Balance.

Williams' debut provided it.

The Cowboys running back finished with 17 carries for 125 yards and two touchdowns, broke seven tackles and generated 66 yards after contact.

TSG didn't hide the significance.

“In my prior seasons, I think that’s one area we struggled — that balance and making sure that we are able to play complimentary football.”

Then came perhaps the best description of Williams' performance.

“Javonte being the wrecking ball that he is helps us out tremendously.”

But TSG quickly pointed out that Williams isn't simply a short-yardage bruiser.

“He has some get-up to him. So it’s not just getting through the first tackle, second tackle. Once he gets up in space, he can get some distance.”

That's the version of Williams Dallas needs.

Not necessarily 125 yards every week.

But enough of a threat that defenses can't spend an entire game worrying about Prescott, Lamb and Pickens.

For one night, the formula worked beautifully.

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THEN CAME THE WARNING

This is where the postgame press conference became more revealing.

TSG could have spent his time celebrating 423 passing yards.

He could have talked about Pickens' three touchdowns.

Or Williams' breakout performance.

Instead, when asked how he prevents his team from getting carried away after such an impressive opener, his answer came immediately.

“Don’t get comfortable.”

The Cowboys' Week 1 performance may have been impressive, but their coach saw plenty he didn't like.

“This is the first game. That’s a really, really good Giants team, and there’s a lot we did right, but there’s a lot that we did wrong. There’s a lot we’ve got to clean up.”

At the top of that list?

Protecting Prescott.

The Cowboys surrendered six sacks, an uncomfortable number considering how much of Dallas' championship aspirations depend on No. 4.

TSG didn't dance around it.

“We gave up way too many pressures and hits on our QB. Four’s got to stay on his feet.”

And Prescott wasn't exempt from criticism simply because his stat line looked spectacular.

TSG pointed to missed opportunities, open receivers left on the field and moments when Prescott escaped the pocket earlier than necessary.

That's the standard Dallas is attempting to establish.

A 423-yard performance can still have mistakes.

A convincing victory can still require corrections.

Week 1 can be both a statement and a starting point.

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CELEBRATE. REST. THEN GET BACK TO WORK.

TSG isn't asking his players to pretend the win doesn't matter.

Quite the opposite.

He wants them to enjoy it.

For one night.

“We cannot get complacent. We cannot get comfortable. We celebrate the victory tonight. Go home, rest, and then be back here on Tuesday and get it done.”

That's probably the most important takeaway from Dallas' opener.

The Cowboys looked dangerous.

But their coach isn't interested in Dallas being crowned after Week 1.

He wants this performance to establish the floor — not the ceiling.

There are protections to fix.

Reads to clean up.

Missed opportunities to correct.

And another opponent waiting.

Cowboys fans have heard promises before.They know September excitement doesn't mean much if it isn't followed by wins in October, November and beyond.

TSG seems to understand that too.

That's why perhaps the most encouraging thing to come out of New York wasn't 423 yards from Prescott.

It wasn't three touchdowns from Pickens.

It wasn't 125 yards from Williams.

It wasn't even Bland racing 51 yards into the end zone.

It was what Dallas' coach said after all of it.

Don't get comfortable.

The Cowboys made their first statement.

Now they have to prove they can do it again.

Dallas is 1-0.

Saddle up.