Christmas Day Rivalry Renewed as Cowboys and Commanders Play for Pride
Christmas Day in the NFL is usually associated with playoff implications and high-stakes drama, but this year’s opener between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Commanders carries a different kind of weight. With both teams already eliminated from postseason contention, this matchup is less about standings and more about pride, evaluation, and the future. Still, when these two rivals meet, intrigue is always guaranteed.
Dallas comes into this game with a 6-8-1 record, and while that may look disappointing on paper, the story has been far more complicated. The Cowboys’ offense has been one of the league’s most explosive units all season. It has been powered by Dak Prescott, who has quietly put together another outstanding year, leading the NFL in passing yards and guiding an attack that ranks near the top in total offense. With George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb both surpassing the 1,000-yard mark, and tight end Jake Ferguson continuing to be a reliable option, the firepower is clearly there.
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However, that offensive success has often been overshadowed by defensive struggles. Yardage and points have been surrendered at an alarming rate, and that imbalance is a big reason Dallas finds itself watching the playoffs from home for a second straight season. Even so, a sweep of Washington would be seen as a small but meaningful bright spot in an otherwise cloudy year.
On the other side, the Commanders’ season has been defined by injuries and missed opportunities. Expectations were high after last year’s deep playoff run, but everything seemed to unravel quickly. Quarterback Jayden Daniels has been shut down for the remainder of the season, and Marcus Mariota is sidelined with injuries of his own. That has left veteran Josh Johnson, at 39 years old, to step in as the starting quarterback on Christmas Day. It is not an ideal situation, but it does open the door for younger players to show what they can offer.
Washington’s offense is expected to lean on developing talent. Rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt has flashed again after hitting a midseason wall, and tight end Ben Sinnott has been seeing more snaps since Zach Ertz went down. Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel remain the anchors at receiver, while other players are being given chances to prove they belong in the long-term plan.
For Dallas, this matchup represents an opportunity to bounce back after a frustrating loss and take advantage of a banged-up Washington defense. For Washington, it is a chance to spoil a rival’s holiday and restore some optimism heading into the offseason. The playoffs may be out of reach, but on Christmas Day, this rivalry still matters.
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