It’s always fun to take a trip down memory lane when it comes to our sports teams.
As a Cowboys fan, social media loves to remind us that memories are all we have.
In reality that’s not the case.
Every team has ups and downs, and good memories can be had without a championship in the fold.
The Dallas Cowboys play in the NFC East.
Their division rivals are the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, and Washington Commanders.
I want to take a little trip down memory lane, remembering the top three best wins versus these rivals over the years.
Let’s kick off this series with the Washington Commanders, formerly known as the Redskins.
You will see me refer to them as such when appropriate throughout this series of articles.
3. Danny White leads 2nd half comeback
When: September 5th, 1983
Where: RFK Stadium, Washington, DC
Final Score: DAL 31, WAS 30
Back Story
In addition to the excitement of the rivalry between these two division foes, this game was on opening day of the season.
The Washington Redskins were coming off of a Super Bowl XVII victory over the Miami Dolphins at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA.
Led by superstars Joe Theismann and John Riggins on offense, the Redskins were poised to continue their NFC dominance.
Dallas had revenge on their mind the entire offseason, and were chomping at the bit for Week 1 of the 1983 season.
The 1982 season was a strike-shortened season in which Dallas made it to the NFC Championship game.
They would lose that game to none other than these same Washington Redskins.
It’s safe to say there was no love lost leading up to the season opener.
Game Summary
The Redskins looked every bit like Super Bowl champions right out of the gate.
Theismann, Riggins, and wide receiver Alvin Garrett led Washington to a 23-3 halftime lead.
Already down 16-3, the touchdown pass from Theismann to Charlie Brown with just 31 seconds left in the first half seemed to be a knockout blow.
As it turns out, Dallas rose up from the RFK Stadium grass with a standing eight count, and were ready to play in the second half.
Cowboys QB Danny White went on to lead four unanswered touchdown drives in the second half to give Dallas a 31-23 lead with less than two minutes left in regulation.
The scoring streak started with a pair of long touchdown passes to WR Tony Hill.
Touchdown passes of 75 and 51 yards plus a long run of 77 yards from Hall of Fame RB Tony Dorsett sparked the second half comeback.
White played a masterful second half of football, but he could not have done it without the defense stepping up.
Legendary head coach and defensive mastermind Tom Landry made the adjustments needed to almost completely stymie the Redskins’ offensive attack.
His defense led by Ed “Too Tall” Jones, Harvey Martin, Randy White, and Everson Walls tightened up.
They didn’t allow Washington a second half score until a meaningless touchdown pass from Theismann to Don Warren with 10 seconds left in the game.
Washington kicked the extra point to bring the final score to 31-30.
It might seem like low IQ football, but remember this game was played in 1983.
The two point conversion was not implemented until 1994.
Season Results
This game would prove to be a preview of just how good both of these teams would be in 1983.
The Cowboys and Redskins would meet again at Texas Stadium for the NFC East crown later in the season with matching 12-2 records.
A young Dallas defense would prove to be too inexperienced for such a big game, and the Cowboys would lose 31-10.
Washington would make a repeat appearance in the Super Bowl, eventually losing to the Los Angeles Raiders 38-9.
This Cowboys team made the postseason, but would be ousted by a tough Los Angeles Rams team 24-17 in the Wildcard round.