The Washington Commanders (4-7) meet the Dallas Cowboys (7-3) on Thanksgiving Day. It’s the first time the two NFC East rivals have met on Thanksgiving Day since 2020, which was embattled head coach Ron Rivera’s first season on the sideline in Washington.
This meeting is between two teams going in opposite directions. The Cowboys are undefeated at AT&T Stadium, while the Commanders have lost two straight and seven of their last nine.
The Cowboys and Lions are the two teams who traditionally play every Thanksgiving. Who has Dallas played the most on Thanksgiving? That would be Washington. While the Cowboys have dominated the Thanksgiving matchups, things have been better lately.
Washington is 4-8 all-time on Thanksgiving Day. Let’s take a look back at Washington’s history on Turkey Day.
Nov. 28, 1968
Dallas Cowboys 29, Washington Redskins 20
In Washington’s first Thanksgiving game, tight end Jerry Smith caught six passes for 116 yards and a touchdown. Charley Taylor also scored on that day.
Nov. 22, 1973
Washington Redskins 20, Detroit Lions 0
In Washington’s only Thanksgiving game vs. the Lions, Billy Kilmer passed for two touchdowns to give Washington the shutout win.
Nov. 28, 1974
Dallas Cowboys 24, Washington Redskins 23
Mark Moseley kicked three field goals, and Duane Thomas scored two touchdowns, but it wasn’t enough as Drew Pearson caught a 50-yard game-winner from Clint Longley to give the Cowboys the win.
Nov. 23, 1978
Dallas Cowboys 37, Washington Redskins 10
This was a rough day for Washington, as Joe Theismann completed only 10 of 24 passes, and the defense had no answers for the Cowboys.
Nov. 22, 1990
Dallas Cowboys 27, Washington Redskins 17
Emmitt Smith rushed for two touchdowns for the Cowboys, while Troy Aikman found Michael Irvin for another. Ricky Sanders and Earnest Byner scored for Washington.
Nov. 28, 1996
Dallas Cowboys 21, Washington Redskins 10
Another big day for Emmitt Smith, who rushed for three touchdowns in the Dallas win.
Nov. 28, 2002
Dallas Cowboys 27, Washington Redskins 20
This game is best remembered for Washington punter Bryan Barker’s broken nose. It was Steve Spurrier’s only Thanksgiving game as Washington’s head coach. Danny Wuerffel was under center for the Redskins on this day, passing for three touchdowns and three interceptions.
Nov. 22, 2012
Washington Redskins 38, Dallas Cowboys 31
Washington’s first Thanksgiving Day win over the Cowboys. What a day this was. It felt like the beginning of a new era with sensational rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III, who threw four touchdown passes. This was the most exciting season in Washington’s franchise history over the last 23 years.
Nov. 24, 2016
Dallas Cowboys 31, Washington Redskins 26
This was an exciting game in which Kirk Cousins passed for 449 yards and three touchdowns. Cousins was flawless in this game, but Washington’s defense couldn’t stop the Cowboys.
Nov. 23, 2017
Washington Redskins 20, New York Giants 10
This is the only time the Giants and Washington have played on Thanksgiving. Cousins led the Redskins to a win to end Thanksgiving night. Cousins passed for 242 yards and two touchdowns, while Jamison Crowder had 141 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Nov. 22, 2018
Dallas Cowboys 31, Washington Redskins 23
Colt McCoy passed for 268 yards and two touchdowns, but he also threw three interceptions. Dak Prescott passed for 289 yards and two touchdowns and also rushed for one.
Nov. 26, 2020
Washington Football Team 41, Dallas Cowboys 16
What a day this was for Washington. Under its new moniker, Washington blew open the game in the second half, led by rookie running back Antonio Gibson, who rushed for 115 yards and three touchdowns.
