Lead: On Dec. 25, 2025 at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, the Dallas Cowboys opened Christmas Day against the Washington Commanders and led 24-10 at halftime before Washington trimmed the margin to 24-17 late in the third quarter. Dallas struck early with touchdowns on each of its first three drives, including an 86-yard scoring pass to KaVontae Turpin. Washington, starting veteran backup Josh Johnson after injuries to Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota, rallied with two rushing scores by Jacory Croskey-Merritt. The game remains live; this report tracks scoring, injuries, and coaching decisions that could shape the NFC East finish.
Key Takeaways
- Dallas led 24-10 at halftime and then 24-17 with 9:34 left in the third quarter after a 72-yard Jacory Croskey-Merritt TD.
- Dak Prescott was 11-of-20 for 174 yards and two touchdowns through the first half; he enters the game with 4,175 passing yards and 28 TDs on the season.
- The Cowboys converted all four early fourth-down attempts and were aggressive on offense, while Pro Bowl kicker Brandon Aubrey hit a 42-yard field goal on Dallas’ fourth drive.
- KaVontae Turpin scored on an 86-yard pass; Jake Ferguson and Javonte Williams each had early rushing/receiving TDs for Dallas.
- Washington started Josh Johnson (7-of-10, 115 yards at halftime); he is the No. 3 quarterback with long NFL experience and has been on 13 rosters in his career.
- Key inactives and injuries: Jayden Daniels (out), Laremy Tunsil (out), Daron Payne (out); Jake Ferguson ruled out with a calf issue and Javonte Williams listed questionable with a shoulder concern.
- Cowboys defense has allowed 30.3 points per game this season, the second-highest mark in franchise history; Dallas is 2-5 on the road and 4-3-1 at home in 2025.
- Betting line before kickoff: Cowboys -9.5; Over/Under 50.5 (per DraftKings Sportsbook).
Background
The Cowboys and Commanders meet in a storied NFC East rivalry; Dallas entered Week 17 with a powerful passing attack but a vulnerable defense. Dak Prescott has produced an elite passing year (second in the league in yards) even as Matt Eberflus’ defense has struggled to contain opponents, giving up 30.3 points per game in 2025. Washington has been hit hard by injuries: Jayden Daniels is unavailable for this game, plus Pro Bowl linemen such as Laremy Tunsil and defensive anchor Daron Payne are inactive, forcing coordinator Dan Quinn to adapt his game plan.
Washington turned to veteran journeyman Josh Johnson as the Week 17 starter; Johnson’s long experience (he has been on 13 NFL rosters) is valuable in a short preparation window, but his mobility and timing differ from Jayden Daniels’ profile. The Cowboys, meanwhile, have leaned into aggressive fourth-down strategy under offensive play-caller Brian Schottenheimer, which has paid early dividends in this matchup. Both teams have roster decisions and contract questions looming in the offseason that add context to the game’s importance beyond divisional standings.
Main Event
The game opened with Dallas receiving the kickoff and driving for a touchdown on its opening possession when Dak Prescott lofted a pass over the secondary to tight end Jake Ferguson for a scoring catch. On Dallas’ second possession, Javonte Williams punched in a four-yard rushing touchdown after a costly unnecessary-roughness penalty on the Commanders helped extend the drive.
Dallas continued its early barrage with an explosive third drive: Prescott connected deep to KaVontae Turpin for an 86-yard touchdown on third-and-11, stretching the lead to 21-3. The Cowboys’ fourth drive produced a 42-yard field goal by Brandon Aubrey, making it three touchdowns and a field goal in the first half for Dallas.
Washington manufactured a touchdown before halftime after consecutive Dallas penalties — including a horse-collar tackle and a pass interference call — moved the Commanders into scoring range. Jacory Croskey-Merritt broke tackles and finished a 10-yard rush to make it 21-10 with 4:35 left in the second quarter. In the third quarter, Croskey-Merritt broke free for a 72-yard touchdown, narrowing the margin to 24-17 and injecting life into the home crowd.
Defensively, Jadeveon Clowney produced a critical sack on Josh Johnson earlier in the game, forcing Washington into a 29-yard field goal on that drive. Key injuries arose during play: Jake Ferguson was later ruled out with a calf issue, and Javonte Williams was listed questionable with a shoulder concern after taking a hit.
Analysis & Implications
Dallas’ opening strategy—aggressive fourth-down calls and early shot plays—has maximized its offensive talent, particularly Prescott’s timing with receivers and Turpin’s field-stretching speed. Converting four fourth-down attempts early dramatically improved drive success rate and put the Commanders on their heels. If the Cowboys can sustain that efficiency without overexposing an inconsistent defense, they will be positioned to control the rest of the game.
Conversely, Washington’s ability to cut into the lead with explosive runs by Croskey-Merritt shows the game plan pivoted to ground-play and quick scoring after losing starting personnel. Josh Johnson’s veteran decision-making has steadied the offense, but his limitations in mobility and ceiling compared with Jayden Daniels mean Washington will need to rely on short completions, yards-after-contact by backs and special-teams flips to sustain possessions.
For Dallas’ longer-term outlook, the performance underscores a recurring theme: elite offensive output coupled with defensive fragility. The Cowboys have the NFL’s top passing offense but risk becoming the rare team that scores heavily yet fails to close out games without defensive improvement. Dak Prescott’s public push to have more input in front-office decision-making after a playoff-less 2025 season adds offseason significance to how Dallas addresses defensive personnel and coaching.
Comparison & Data
| Metric | Dallas (2025) | Washington (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Points per game (offense) | 28.3 | — |
| Points allowed per game (defense) | 30.3 | 26.9 |
| Dak Prescott passing yards | 4,175 (season) | — |
| Cowboys road record | 2-5 | — |
The table highlights the contrast: Dallas’ offense ranks among the NFL leaders while its defense ranks near the bottom historically for the franchise. Washington’s 26.9 points allowed per game places it in the league’s lower third but ahead of Dallas’ mark. These splits explain why the game has swung through big plays and quick-scoring drives; the team with the cleaner defensive performance in the second half will likely dictate the result.
Reactions & Quotes
The postgame and in-game comments reflect frustration and optimism on both sidelines. After a Week 16 loss that kept Dallas out of the playoffs this season, owner/general manager Jerry Jones acknowledged structural accountability within the organization and hinted at changes in decision-making roles.
“I’m tremendously disappointed.”
Jerry Jones, Dallas owner/GM (post-Week 16)
On the field, George Pickens praised the offense’s explosiveness and the connection with Prescott, noting the team’s big-play frequency as a positive heading into the offseason.
“Super explosive.”
George Pickens, Cowboys WR
Washington supporters have focused on the grind-it-out scoring by Croskey-Merritt and steadiness from Josh Johnson, while coaching staff emphasize adjustments to protect an injured roster and generate consistent third-down success.
Unconfirmed
- Specifics on Dak Prescott’s planned formal role in front-office conversations for 2026 remain unconfirmed; public statements indicate intent but not a defined structure.
- Timelines for Jake Ferguson’s calf recovery and Javonte Williams’ shoulder status are not finalized; official medical updates from team physicians are pending.
Bottom Line
The Christmas Day matchup has exposed the defining strengths and weaknesses of both clubs: Dallas’ explosive offense can dominate early, but Washington’s opportunistic plays and ability to exploit penalties can quickly shift momentum. With key Commanders starters out, Washington’s resilience on short fields and splash plays will determine whether they can overcome personnel disadvantages.
For playoff and offseason implications, the game is meaningful beyond a single result: Dallas must demonstrate it can pair elite offense with defensive stops to avoid another postseason miss, while Washington needs clarity at quarterback and protection for skill players to stabilize long-term prospects. Watch for how coaching adjustments, in-game injuries, and Dallas’ fourth-down strategy play out in the final two quarters.