Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Commanders Recap
The Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Commanders rivalry is one of the NFL’s oldest and most recognized NFC East rivalries. The rivalry began on October 9, 1960, when the Washington Redskins defeated the Cowboys 26-14. Since Dallas joined Washington’s division in 1961, the teams have met twice almost every regular season, creating decades of memorable matchups. The Cowboys lead the all-time series, and the rivalry continues with the next game scheduled for September 20, 2026, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Commanders Rivalry FAQ
When did the Cowboys vs Commanders rivalry start?
- The rivalry started on October 9, 1960, when the Washington Redskins defeated the Dallas Cowboys 26-14.
How many times have the Cowboys and Commanders played?
- The Cowboys and Commanders have met 132 times in the NFL.
Who leads the all-time series?
- The Dallas Cowboys lead the all-time series 81-49-2.
What is the regular season record?
- Dallas leads the regular season series 81-47-2.
What is the postseason record?
- Washington (then the Redskins) leads the postseason series 2-0.
When was the latest Cowboys vs Commanders game?
- The latest meeting was on December 25, 2025, when the Cowboys defeated the Commanders 30-23.
When is the next Cowboys vs Commanders game?
- The next meeting is on September 20, 2026, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Kickoff is set for 4:25 p.m. ET, and the game will air on FOX.
What is the largest Cowboys victory in the rivalry?
- The Cowboys’ biggest win was 56-14 in 2021.
What is Washington’s largest victory over Dallas?
- Washington’s largest win was 35-7 in 2005.
What is the most points scored by the Cowboys against Washington?
- The Cowboys scored 56 points in 2021, their highest total in the rivalry.
What is the most points scored by Washington against Dallas?
- Washington’s highest point total is 41 points, achieved in 1986 and again in 2020.
What is the longest winning streak in the rivalry?
- The Cowboys won 10 consecutive games from 1997 to 2002, while Washington’s longest streak is four games from 1986 to 1988.
What is the current winning streak?
- The Cowboys currently hold a two-game winning streak, dating from 2025 to the present.
Where do the Cowboys and Commanders play their home games?
- The Dallas Cowboys play at AT&T Stadium, while the Washington Commanders play at Northwest Stadium.
Who is better, the Cowboys or the Commanders?
- Historically, the Dallas Cowboys have been more successful in this rivalry. They lead the all-time series 81-49-2 and have won 15 of the last 20 meetings.
Are the Washington Commanders a successful NFL team?
- Yes. The franchise has won NFL championships in 1937 and 1942 and Super Bowls XVII (1982), XXII (1987), and XXVI (1991). Washington has also finished as league runner-up six times.
Why are the Cowboys and Commanders rivals?
- The rivalry grew from a combination of NFC East divisional competition, an ownership feud over market control, a dispute involving a fight song copyright, and decades of competitive games. Since 1961, the teams have faced each other twice each regular season, making it one of the NFL’s longest-running rivalries.
The rivalry has featured dominant victories, long winning streaks, championship-caliber teams, and memorable holiday games, making every Cowboys-Commanders matchup one of the NFL season’s most anticipated divisional contests.