Commanders vs Cowboys: A Thrilling Showdown in the NFC East

On: March 25, 2026 3:05 PM

Commanders vs Cowboys: The Washington Commanders and Dallas Cowboys have one of the most storied rivalries in the NFL, known for their intense matchups and passionate fanbases. These two teams, both steeped in history, have a long-standing tradition of competitive games, especially in the NFC East division. The Cowboys, led by stars like Dak Prescott, are known for their high-powered offense, while the Commanders bring a tough, gritty defense to the field. The rivalry often results in thrilling, hard-fought games with playoff implications. The heated battles between these teams never fail to deliver excitement and drama for football fans.

Commanders vs. Cowboys: A Rivalry That Never Gets Old

If there’s one thing NFL fans can count on, it’s the electric atmosphere when the Washington Commanders and Dallas Cowboys face off.
This storied rivalry, dating back to 1960, is one of the league’s fiercest, packed with dramatic moments, passionate fanbases,
and games that often come down to the wire. With their latest clash on January 5, 2025, still fresh in our minds,
let’s take a friendly dive into what makes Commanders vs. Cowboys so special—and recap how their most recent showdown unfolded.

A Rivalry Rooted in History

The Commanders and Cowboys have met over 120 times,
with Dallas holding a commanding edge in the all-time series (79 wins to Washington’s 48, plus a couple of ties).
It’s a classic NFC East grudge match—two teams just a few hundred miles apart, fighting for bragging rights and division supremacy.
From the days of Tom Landry’s Cowboys battling George Allen’s Commanders to today’s high-stakes showdowns,
this rivalry has seen it all: playoff heartbreak, Thanksgiving classics, and plenty of unforgettable plays.

For Washington fans, beating Dallas is the ultimate prize, a chance to spoil the “America’s Team” hype.
For Cowboys fans, it’s about keeping their dominance alive and flexing their star power.
No matter the records, these games always feel like a Super Bowl.

The Latest Chapter: January 5, 2025

Fast forward to Week 18 of the 2024 NFL season, where the Commanders (11-5) rolled into AT&T Stadium to take on the Cowboys (7-9).
Washington was already playoff-bound, looking to lock in the No. 6 seed,
while Dallas was wrapping up a tough year without star QB Dak Prescott.
What we got was a nail-biter that reminded everyone why this rivalry delivers.

The game started slow, with both defenses flexing their muscles.
Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons set the tone early, sacking Washington’s rookie sensation Jayden Daniels on the first play.
Dallas jumped ahead with a field goal from Brandon Aubrey, but Washington hung tough.
Daniels, nursing some leg soreness, exited in the third quarter after a modest 6-of-12 for 38 yards.
Enter backup Marcus Mariota, who turned the game into a rollercoaster.

Down 19-16 late in the fourth, Mariota led an 11-play, 91-yard drive,
capped by a clutch 5-yard touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin with just 3 seconds left.
McLaurin’s score—his 13th of the season—set a new Commanders single-season
record and sealed a 23-19 victory. Dallas QB Trey Lance, making his first start of the year,
showed flashes of potential (20-of-34 for 244 yards), but Rico Dowdle’s 2-yard touchdown run wasn’t enough to hold off Washington’s late heroics.

The win gave the Commanders a 12-5 finish—their best since 1991—and the No. 6 seed, setting up a
Wild Card matchup with the Los Angeles Rams. For Dallas, it was a bittersweet end to a 7-10 season,
with Parsons (2.5 sacks) proving he’s a force no matter the stakes.

Memorable Moments from 2024

This wasn’t their only meeting in 2024. Back on November 24, the Cowboys pulled off a wild 34-26 win in Washington.
That game had everything: a 99-yard kickoff return TD by KaVontae Turpin, an 86-yard McLaurin score,
a missed extra point, and a game-sealing onside kick return TD by Juanyeh Thomas. It snapped a five-game
Dallas skid and showed how unpredictable this rivalry can be, even with both teams missing key players.