In a matchup where only pride was on the line, the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders delivered a far more entertaining Christmas Day opener than expected on Thursday.

Both teams had already been eliminated from playoff contention, and Washington was starting third-string quarterback Josh Johnson. Early on, it looked like a blowout in the making as Dallas scored touchdowns on each of its first three drives to jump ahead 21–3.

Washington, however, clawed its way back. A 17–6 surge cut the Cowboys' lead to 27–20 in the fourth quarter, setting up a tense finish. Even though Dallas’ passing attack sputtered after halftime and the offense failed to score a second-half touchdown, the Cowboys held firm for a 30–23 victory. A late fourth-down conversion—Dallas’ sixth successful attempt on six tries—allowed them to run out the clock.

Cowboys dominate early with aggressive play-calling

Dallas attacked from the start, building a 24–10 halftime advantage behind Dak Prescott’s 174 yards and two first-half touchdown passes. The Cowboys went for it on fourth down four times before the break and converted each attempt, keeping Washington’s defense on the field and firmly in control of the game.

By halftime, Dallas had recorded 17 first downs while holding Washington to just 18 offensive plays.

Commanders’ pass rush fuels comeback push

Washington’s defense tightened after the break, repeatedly collapsing the pocket on Prescott. The Commanders recorded six sacks and 11 quarterback hits, with second-year defender Jer’Zhan Newton turning in a standout performance with three sacks and five QB hits.

Dallas also lost starting running back Javonte Williams to a shoulder injury in the second half, further slowing the offense. After rolling early, the Cowboys managed only field-goal attempts after halftime and punted once.

Still, their early scoring burst proved enough. The Commanders fell to 4–12, while the Cowboys improved to 7–8-1, though both teams have already been eliminated from playoff contention.

Prescott finished 19-of-37 for 307 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover. His 86-yard bomb to KaVontae Turpin stretched the lead to 21–3 and appeared to put the game out of reach.

But Washington pushed back. A 29-yard run by Deebo Samuel set up a Jacory Croskey-Merritt touchdown before halftime, trimming the deficit to 21–10. Croskey-Merritt later broke free for a 72-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, pulling the Commanders within 24–17.

From there, Washington continued to apply pressure, but Dallas’ defense prevented the Commanders from ever tying the game. Two Brandon Aubrey field goals in the second half sealed the Cowboys’ Christmas Day win.