In a game with nothing at stake but pride, the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders put on a better-than-expected show on Thursday to kick off the NFL's Christmas Day slate.
With both teams eliminated from the playoffs and the Commanders starting third-string quarterback Josh Johnson, the Cowboys threatened to make it a laugher with three touchdowns on their first three drives for a 21-3 lead.
The Commanders rallied to get within one possession in the fourth quarter with a 17-6 run that cut the Dallas lead to 27-20. But despite a breakdown in the passing game and failing to score a touchdown in the second half,the Cowboys held on for a 30-23 win. They iced the game with their sixth fourth-down conversion on their sixth try to run out the clock on the win.
Commanders couldn't keep Cowboys off the field early
The Cowboys started the game aggressive and went into halftime with a 24-10 lead sparked by 174 yards and two touchdown passes from quarterback Dak Prescott. They went for it on fourth down four times before halftime and converted each time to seize control of the game and keep Washington's defense on the field.
Dallas converted 17 first downs in the first half while limiting Washington to 18 plays on offense.
Washington's defense stepped up after halftime and repeatedly put pressure on Prescott. They sacked him six times and added 11 quarterback hits. Second-year pro Jer'Zhan Newton had a breakout game with three sacks and five quarterback hits.
Pressure on Prescott sparks Commanders' comeback effort
The pressure staggered a Dallas offensive attack that played the second half without starting running back Javonte Williams, who left the game with a shoulder injury. After scoring three touchdowns and a field goal in four first-half-possessions, the Cowboys failed to score a touchdown after halftime. They instead punted once and settled for three field-goal attempts.
But the first-half onslaught gave them enough cushion to secure the win and send their reeling rivals to 4-12. The Cowboys improved to 7-8-1, but their season fate is sealed. Theywere eliminated from the playoffs last week.
Prescott finished the day completing 19-of-37 passes for 307 yards with 2 touchdowns and no turnovers. An 86-yard strike to KaVontae Turpin broke things open for the Cowboys at 21-3 as they threatened to run away with the game.
86 YARD HOUSE CALL 🏎️📺:#DALvsWASon Netflix📲: Stream on NFL+https://t.co/RmDxAeCG4Mpic.twitter.com/jxU1p0M283
But the Commanders were effective with the ball when they managed to get the Cowboys off the field. A 29-yard run by Deebo Samuel set up a Jacory Croskey-Merritt touchdown before halftime to cut the Cowboys' lead to 21-10.
Then Croskey-Merritt did it again with a 72-yard house call in the third quarter that cut the Dallas advantage to one possession at 24-17.
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders)December 25, 2025
From there, the Commanders kept pressure on as their pass rush flustered the Dallas passing game. But the Cowboys never allowed the Commanders to get within a touchdown. Two Brandon Aubrey field goals in the second half were enough to secure the Dallas win.
Running back Malik Davis paced the Dallas attack in the second half following Williams' exit. He finished with 103 yards on 20 carries. George Pickens added four catches for 78 yards, while CeeDee Lamb was relatively quiet with five catches for 46 yards.
Johnson performed admirably in his first start since the 2021 season. He completed 15-of-23 passes for 198 yards. He didn't score a touchdown or turn the ball over. Croskey-Merritt tallied 105 yards and 2 touchdowns on 11 carries. Samuel added 93 yards from scrimmage as a dual threat on the ground and in the passing game.
The Commanders will close the season against the NFC East champion Philadelphia Eagles and look to send their rivals into the postseason with a loss. The Cowboys will visit the New York Giants in Week 18.
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Yahoo Sports Staff
Final: Cowboys 30, Commanders 23
Dak Prescott plunged for the needed first down to convert yet ANOTHER 4th down, and Dallas runs out the clock. The Cowboys get the win to kick off the Christmas slate.
Yahoo Sports Staff
A Christmas feast for the victors
The Cowboys enjoy a giant hunk of meat after their win:
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Dak Prescott finished 19 of 37 for 307 yards and 2 TDs passing. And he was clutch on several big 4th downs.
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Jake Moody hits a 51-yard field goal to get Washington back within a score just before the 2-minute warning.
Cowboys 30, Commanders 23 | 2:09 to play
Yahoo Sports Staff
Cowboys FG GOOD
This time, Brandon Aubrey's field goal is through the uprights from 51 yards out. Big 3 points for Dallas.
Cowboys 30, Commanders 20 | 3:59 to play
Yahoo Sports Staff
Cowboys money on 4th down
Dallas once again went for it on 4th down (4th-and-2 at their own 45) and once again converts on Dak Prescott's pass to Jalen Tolbert. The Cowboys are 5 for 5 on 4th down tries today, and it's a big reason they're winning.
Yahoo Sports Staff
Washington punts it away
The Commanders were lining up to go for it on 4th-and-3 near midfield but a false start pushed them back 5 yards and they changed their mind. The Cowboys get the ball back with 11:32 to play.
Yahoo Sports Staff
Cowboys FG NO GOOD
Brandon Aubrey's 58-yard attempt sails wide right, and Washington remains within one score.
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Wide right and it's still a one-possession game in Washington
It's become a close game as these teams are trading blows. Can the Cowboys put this one away in the final quarter?
Yahoo Sports Staff
Commanders kick FG
Washington drove all the way to the Cowboys 5-yard line but settled for a short kick. It's back to a one-possession game.
Cowboys 27, Commanders 20
Yahoo Sports Staff
Cowboys add a FG
Brandon Aubrey hits from 52 yards to put the Cowboys back up by 10. The late hit penalty on Washington results in 3 points.
Cowboys 27, Commander 17
Yahoo Sports Staff
Penalty extends Cowboys drive
Washington had Dak Prescott sacked for a big loss in 3rd-and-9, but Frankie Luvu inexplicably hit Prescott after he was down and was flagged for a late hit. The Dallas drive continues.
Jason Owens
Jacory Croskey-Merritt house call
This is how you get back into the game. Jacory Croskey-Merritt just broke off a 72-yard touchdown run on the first play of the drive, and the Commanders have cut their deficit to one possession.
Croskey-Merritt's second touchdown of the game has cut the Cowboys' lead to 24-17.
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Javonte Williams still out for Cowboys; Dallas punts
Javonte Williams did not play at the end of the first half and is still out to start the third quarter. He's questionable to return with a shoulder injury.
Hunter Luepke carried the ball for the Cowboys to start the third quarter, and they punted for the first time on fourth-and-18 after gaining just 2 yards on the drive. Washington has a chance to cut its deficit to one possession.
Jason Owens
Josh Johnson overlooks open Deebo, misses deep shot to set up punt
Not a good start to the half for the Commanders.
Josh Johnson threw deep and incomplete into triple-coverage on third-and-8 and overlooked a wide-open Deebo Samuel beyond the line to gain, and the Commanders have punted to the Cowboys after running four plays.
Dallas gets the ball back with a 24-10 lead.
Jason Owens
Halftime stats: Cowboys 24, Commanders 10
Deebo Samuel has given the Washington offense life, but it's otherwise all Cowboys after a dominant first half of Dallas offense.
Javonte Williams barreled for 54 rushing yards to set up the Cowboys passing game for multiple explosive plays, including an 86-yard touchdown pass from Dak Prescott to KaVontae Turpin. The Cowboys have 17 first downs, and the Commanders have 18 total offensive plays as Washington's defense can't get off the field.
The good news for the Commanders is that they will start with the ball first.
Cowboys Dak Prescott: 11 of 20 for 174 yards, 2 TDs, 0 turnovers Javonte Williams: 13 carries for 54 yards, 1 TD KaVontae Turpin: 1 catch for 86 yards, 1 TD Jake Ferguson: 1 catch for 6 yards, 1 TD George Pickens: 2 catches for 38 yards CeeDee Lamb: 3 catches for 15 yards
Commanders Josh Johnson: 7 of 10 for 116 yards, 0 TDs, 0 turnovers Deebo Samuel: 2 catches for 68 yards, 2 carries for 25 yards Jacory Croskey-Merritt: 5 catches for 13 yards
Cowboys total offense: 290 yards on 6.3 yards per play, 17 first downs Commanders total offense: 146 yards on 8.1 yards per play, 8 first downs
Jason Owens
Commanders flub last possession of half
The Commanders tried to get into field-goal range with their final 19 seconds of the half. But they completed a pass inbounds without a timeout, then got flagged for a false start with 4 seconds remaining after failing to get set while trying to spike the ball near midfield.
The penalty resulted in a 10-second runoff, and the Cowboys go into halftime with a 24-10 lead after a dominant first half of offense.
Jason Owens
Commanders sack Dak Prescott, finally get a stop
The Cowboys scored for the fourth time on a fourth possessions. But for the Commanders, at least it wasn't a touchdown.
Preston Smith sacked Dak Prescott on third-and-4, and the Cowboys settled for a 42-yard field goal that Brandon Aubrey put through the uprights.
The Commanders will have the ball back with 19 seconds remaining before halftime. They took a timeout after Smith's sack, so they'll be looking to move the ball if they can get decent field position on the kickoff.
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Washington's offense so far has consisted largely of big plays by Deebo Samuel. He took a screen pass 41 yards on Washington's opening drive and broke off a 29-yard run on their third.
That play set up a 10-yard Jacory Croskey-Merritt touchdown run. The Commanders have signs of life and have cut their deficit to 21-10 in the second quarter.
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Washington loses starting center Tyler Biadasz to apparent leg injury
This is the last thing a struggling offense down to its third quarterback needs. Washington center Tyler Biadasz just left the game with an apparent leg injury.
The severity's not clear, but it took him a while to get up, and he was limping gingerly with the help of two trainers on the sideline once he got up. It doesn't look good.
