The Dallas Cowboys defeated the Washington Commanders 30-23 on Christmas Day, marking the Cowboys’ third victory in six all-time games played on December 25th. The game, a Week 17 matchup, kicked off a triple-header of NFL games streamed on Netflix and Prime Video.
Dallas quickly established a commanding lead, scoring touchdowns on their first three possessions to build a 21-3 advantage. Quarterback Dak Prescott contributed two touchdown passes in the first half, and the Cowboys converted four fourth-down attempts before halftime, keeping the Commanders’ defense on the field for extended periods. The Cowboys finished the first half with a 24-10 lead.
Yet, the Commanders mounted a comeback effort in the second half, fueled by increased pressure on Prescott. Washington’s defense recorded six sacks and eleven quarterback hits, with second-year pro Jer’Zhan Newton delivering a standout performance with three sacks and five quarterback hits. The Commanders narrowed the gap to 27-20 with a 17-6 run in the fourth quarter.
Despite the Commanders’ rally, the Cowboys managed to hold on for the win. They secured their sixth fourth-down conversion of the game on their sixth attempt, effectively running out the clock and sealing a 30-23 victory. The Cowboys were without starting running back Javonte Williams in the second half due to a shoulder injury.
The win improved the Cowboys’ record to 7-8-1 for the 2025 season, while the Commanders fell to 4-12. Both teams had already been eliminated from playoff contention prior to the Christmas Day game. The Commanders started third-string quarterback Josh Johnson in the game.
The Cowboys’ all-time record on Christmas Day now stands at 3-3, with a 3-2 record on the road and an 0-1 record at home. Their previous Christmas Day games included a 26-27 loss to the Arizona Cardinals in 2010, a 7-23 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2006, a 0-31 loss to the Tennessee Titans in 2000, a 37-13 win over the Arizona Cardinals in 1995, and a 20-12 win over the Minnesota Vikings in 1971.
