Christmas Day football on Netflix delivered drama from the opening kickoff, as the Dallas Cowboys stormed into Northwest Stadium and held off a fierce late rally from the Washington Commanders for a hard-fought 30-23 victory. With playoffs long out of reach for both NFC East foes, pride was the prize—and Dak Prescott made sure America’s Team snapped a three-game skid, improving to 7-8-1 while dropping the depleted Commanders to 4-12.
Kay Adams interviews Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott after a win over the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadiu
The Cowboys came out swinging like they had something to prove. Dallas dominated early, scoring touchdowns on their first three possessions to build a commanding 21-3 lead by the second quarter. Prescott was surgical in the opening half, connecting on big plays including a 7-yard TD strike to Jake Ferguson on the game’s first drive and a jaw-dropping 86-yard bomb to KaVontae Turpin that had fans buzzing. The offense racked up 87 plays overall compared to Washington’s 41, going a perfect 6-for-6 on fourth-down conversions—clutch sneaks, passes, and runs that kept drives alive and the clock ticking.
Prescott finished with 307 yards on 19-of-37 passing and two touchdowns, shrugging off six sacks (a season high for both teams) and constant pressure from Washington’s pass rush, highlighted by Jer’Zhan Newton’s three takedowns. Kicker Brandon Aubrey was money, nailing field goals from 52, 42, and 51 yards to extend leads at key moments. Rookie sensation Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt kept Washington in it with explosive runs, including a 72-yard house call that cut the deficit to 24-17 in the third, but Dallas’ aggressive play-calling and clock management sealed the deal in the fourth.
Postgame, all eyes turned to No. 4’s health and future. After taking a beating—hurried 11 times on top of those sacks—reporters grilled Prescott on whether he’d sit out the season finale against the New York Giants, especially with no playoff implications and backup Joe Milton III waiting for reps. Dak didn’t mince words: “I love this game… If I get to go out there, I’m going to give it my best.” He acknowledged potential discussions but vowed to “push back” if rested, emphasizing pride in finishing strong and avoiding a sub-.500 record. “I’m going to enjoy Christmas, man. I’m going to have some eggnog,” he laughed, deferring deeper talks to film review.
Cowboys Nation loves that fire—Prescott’s been carrying this squad through a tough year, sitting near the top of league passing stats (over 4,400 yards projected) and chasing individual milestones like potentially leading the NFL in yards. Coach Brian Schottenheimer echoed the holiday vibe but hinted decisions are pending. With the finale slated for January 3 or 4 at MetLife Stadium (exact date TBD), the debate rages: Protect your franchise QB or let him chase history and end on a high note?
In a season of what-ifs for Dallas, this Christmas W was a reminder of Prescott’s resilience and leadership. Snapping the skid feels good, but the real gift might be seeing Dak suit up one more time. What’s your take, Cowboys fans—play him or rest him?
