Cowboys looking for a successful finale

When the schedule makers put together the 2024 schedule, they no doubt hoped the Cowboys-Commanders game would have meaning.

For Dallas today’s game means absolutely nothing. At best, they are playing to avoid the franchise’s 13th double-digit losing season in 65 years.

Nine of the previous 12 have come during Jerry Jones’ 36-year ownership of the team.

Washington needs a win, or a loss by Green Bay today, to secure the sixth seed and avoid playing the Eagles next week in the wild card round.

Other than that, and any pride the players on the roster have left, there isn’t much left to play for.

Even with a win, the Cowboys would finish 3-6 at home this year. They were 5-3 when playing outside of Texas this year.

It will be the 130th meeting between the two teams, dating back to a 26–14 Redskins win over the Cowboys on Oct. 9, 1960.

How Dallas Wins

Honestly, they probably won’t.

Washington has something to play for. We saw how the Cowboys play when they have nothing on the line and the other team did as recently as last week.

However, if Dallas does want to avoid a 10-loss season, they need Cooper Rush to take better care of the football.

They also need the defense to do a much better job too.

Last Sunday’s loss to the Eagles was a complete failure by every player on the team. Everyone that suits up today needs to step up and play like they care.

When these two teams last met just six weeks ago, a 10-9 after three quarters snooze-fest turned into one of the most amazing fourth quarters of the year, if not the century.

The two teams combined for 41 points in the final 15 minutes, 13 of those points coming in the final 21 seconds. The Cowboys had two kickoff returns in that quarter.

They won 34-26 in D.C. It would be nice to close out the season with a home win and a sweep over the Commanders.

It would also have the Cowboys finish 4-2 in division play.

The Prediction

To start the year, I had Dallas beating the Commanders to finish 8-9 for the season. A win today would end the Cowboys’ campaign at 8-9.

Whenever these two teams play, no matter the record, they almost always manage to step up and make it a game.

I’ll let my heart pick this time.

Dallas 37, Washington 35 on a Brandon Aubrey 68-yard field as time expires.

Against Washington All-Time

The Cowboys are 79-48-2 all-time against Washington. They are 43-17-2 at home in those contests and have won the last three meetings at AT&T Stadium.

Dallas has won the last three meetings overall as well.

Of course, the greatest game of the entire series took place 50 years ago on Thanksgiving Day in 1974.

With Roger Staubach knocked out of the game with a concussion, the Cowboys trailed 16-3 in the second half.

Clint Longley etched his name in Cowboys lore with two touchdown passes, including a game-winning 50-yarder to Drew Pearson for a 24-23 victory.

The Mad Bomber would not remain with the team much longer. But he’ll never be forgotten in Dallas.

Week 18 All-Time

There isn’t much of a history involved in Week 18 games.

The 2021 season was the first year the NFL regularly scheduled 18 weeks – 17 games and one bye week – for its teams.

There was an 18th week scheduled in 1993. However, the NFL also had two bye weeks baked into its 16-game slate for each team.

Dallas has only faced NFC East foes in Week 18, as the league will only schedule divisional matchup across the league in the season finale.

The Cowboys are 3-1 all-time in these contests.

Dallas faced the Giants, and won, in New York back in 1993. Emmitt Smith willed the Cowboys to a 16-13 win in overtime, and the NFC East title and No. 1 seed, with a 168-yard rushing effort.

Back in 2021, Dallas traveled to Philadelphia and clobbered the Eagles 51-26.

In 2022, also on the road, Dallas lost to the Commanders, 26-6. Last year, again in D.C., the Cowboys prevailed, 38-10.

Today’s game will be the first Week 18 game played at home for Dallas.

Week 18 Record Vs. Opponents

New York Giants (1-0)

Philadelphia Eagles (1-0)

Washington Commanders (1-1)