Lead: After a bye-week three-game surge that quickly evaporated into a three-game skid, the Dallas Cowboys arrived in Week 17 facing the Washington Commanders with two regular-season games left in 2025. The matchup—played on Christmas Day and carried on Netflix—featured Dak Prescott insisting he would play and lead despite the season’s recent turbulence. Washington opened the game without injured former No. 2 pick Jayden Daniels; veteran Josh Johnson started in his place. Several Cowboys stood out by combining determination with timely playmaking that helped Dallas mount a decisive early push.
Key Takeaways
- The Cowboys entered Week 17 having lost three straight games after a post-bye three-game winning run, with two regular-season games remaining in 2025.
- Dak Prescott played and delivered a dynamic performance, including a 12-yard third-down scramble and an 86-yard touchdown pass to KaVontae Turpin in the second quarter.
- KaVontae Turpin’s 86-yard score was the longest play by the Cowboys this season and the longest Dallas play since 2023.
- Javonte Williams scored a rushing touchdown despite managing a shoulder issue and playing his second game in four days; Malik Davis averaged 6.3 yards per carry on eight first-half attempts.
- Tight end Jake Ferguson ended a five-game touchdown drought with a contested score early in the game but exited later with a calf injury.
- Jadeveon Clowney impacted both run defense and the pass rush, recording a notable tackle for loss on Deebo Samuel.
- George Pickens was consistently involved in the passing game despite an offensive pass interference call that negated a play.
- Honorable mention went to Reddy Steward for situational contributions in the contest.
Background
The Cowboys entered this Week 17 meeting under pressure to regain momentum after a promising stretch following the bye week gave way to a three-game slide. Dallas’ playoff positioning and internal morale were at stake with only two regular-season games left, including a Christmas Day broadcast on Netflix that drew national attention. The matchup was further framed by Washington’s injury report: Jayden Daniels, the former No. 2 overall pick, was sidelined, handing the QB duties to veteran Josh Johnson.
The rivalry dimension added another layer. Dan Quinn’s Washington defense, which has faced Prescott and his top targets multiple times in recent seasons, prepared with game plans tailored to limit Dallas’ big-play generators. On offense, Dallas sought to balance its passing attack with a physical ground game built around Javonte Williams and backup Malik Davis. Roster availability and late-season fatigue were also factors; key players were managing nagging injuries while attempting to influence seeding and momentum heading into the final weeks.
Main Event
Dallas burst out of the gate early. Prescott set the tone with a pivotal 12-yard third-down run that sustained a drive and kept the Cowboys ahead in field position. The veteran quarterback then connected on a second-quarter 86-yard touchdown pass to KaVontae Turpin, a play that flipped field position instantly and represented Dallas’ longest offensive play this year.
KaVontae Turpin’s score was both a home-run play and a morale booster: Turpin had made periodic offensive contributions all season but had not previously produced a play of that magnitude for Dallas in 2025. The play showcased Prescott’s ability to create big gains through arm strength and timing, and Turpin’s speed after the catch.
On the ground, Javonte Williams continued to exhibit physical toughness despite a lingering shoulder problem. Williams punched in a rushing touchdown and converted a critical short-yardage situation with a second effort; when he needed relief, Malik Davis answered, averaging 6.3 yards on eight first-half carries and extending drives with consistent gains. Jake Ferguson provided an early spark with a contested touchdown catch that snapped a five-game scoring drought for the tight end, although he left later with a calf injury and did not return.
Defensively, Jadeveon Clowney made his presence felt as a playmaker against both the run and pass, including a four-yard tackle-for-loss on Deebo Samuel that halted a Washington attempt to sustain momentum. George Pickens, despite an offensive pass interference penalty on a key sequence, remained a reliable option in the passing game and repeatedly challenged opposing defensive backs. The combination of individual plays and situational execution defined the game’s narrative.
Analysis & Implications
Dak Prescott’s decision to play and his performance address multiple immediate needs for Dallas: leadership, explosive-play capability and the capacity to control critical third-down situations. His mobility and big-throw range remain central to Dallas’ offense, which benefits from a veteran starter willing to shoulder responsibility late in the season. That said, reliance on one or two game-changing plays does not eliminate broader concerns about consistency that contributed to the three-game skid.
Running back durability is an open question. Javonte Williams’ ability to score and convert short-yardage plays under shoulder duress is encouraging, but the team must weigh his long-term availability. Malik Davis’ efficiency as a complement is a positive sign for Dallas’ depth chart; averaging 6.3 yards per carry in the first half suggests the team can sustain drives when the starter is limited.
Jadeveon Clowney’s re-emergence as a disruptive edge presence has immediate on-field benefits and strategic consequences for opponents preparing for Dallas in the postseason stretch. Clowney’s capacity to produce tackles for loss and pressure quarterbacks forces game-plan adjustments and may free up teammates to make plays. Conversely, Washington’s use of Josh Johnson instead of Jayden Daniels reduced the opposing offense’s explosiveness, which favored Dallas’ ability to control tempo.
Looking ahead, Dallas must manage injuries (Ferguson’s calf, Williams’ shoulder), maintain red-zone efficiency, and limit drive-stalling penalties or calls—such as the offensive pass interference assessed to George Pickens—that erase momentum swings. How the coaching staff balances playmakers’ workloads over the final two games will affect both immediate results and postseason readiness.
Comparison & Data
| Key Play | Detail |
|---|---|
| Prescott 12-yard run | Crucial third-down conversion that sustained an early drive |
| Prescott–Turpin 86-yard TD | Longest Cowboys offensive play of the season; longest by Dallas since 2023 |
| Javonte Williams | Rushing TD despite shoulder issue; second game in four days |
| Malik Davis (1H) | 6.3 yards per carry on eight attempts at halftime |
| Jake Ferguson | Ended five-game TD drought; later left with calf injury |
The table highlights individual contributions that shaped the game’s key moments. In context, the 86-yard touchdown was a game-altering event that contrasted with otherwise conservative drives. The running-game numbers indicate Dallas has reliable short-term depth, while the receiving and blocking units must minimize penalties that negate productive plays.
Reactions & Quotes
“I wasn’t going to be away from my family,”
Dak Prescott / Dallas Cowboys (player comments)
Prescott’s comment—made in the lead-up to the game—was widely reported and framed his availability and mindset for the Christmas Day contest.
“The 86-yard connection was the longest play for Dallas this season and the longest since 2023,”
Dallas Cowboys (team game recap)
The team’s official recap emphasized Turpin’s splash play as a statistical highlight and momentum swing in the contest.
Unconfirmed
- Whether Clowney’s current form will be sustained across multiple postseason-quality opponents remains uncertain and requires more game samples.
- Reports about the long-term severity of Jake Ferguson’s calf issue were not finalized at the time of the team recap and require an official injury update.
Bottom Line
The Cowboys showcased individual flashes of high-level play in Week 17—most notably from Dak Prescott, KaVontae Turpin and a tough running corps—but lingering injuries and recent inconsistency temper the optimism. Big plays like an 86-yard touchdown can win weeks, yet sustainable success will depend on health management, penalty avoidance, and consistent execution over the final two games.
Dallas has actionable positives to build on: a veteran quarterback willing to lead, emerging contributions from depth players such as Malik Davis, and a pass rush that can impact opponent game plans. The coaching staff’s adjustments and medical reports ahead of the season’s close will be key indicators of whether the Cowboys can convert late-season sparks into a sustained December push.