ClutchPoints
The Dallas Cowboys are traveling to Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, on Christmas Day to face the Washington Commanders in a Week 17 matchup that carries vastly different implications for both teams. While Dallas has been eliminated from playoff contention following their recent losses, Washington still holds playoff aspirations and will be hungry to secure a win in front of their home crowd. This matchup presents an interesting dynamic where the Cowboys serve as a playoff-bound opponent, while the Commanders fight for their postseason life against an “eliminated” squad that refuses to quit.
The Cowboys come into this game as 6.5-point favorites despite their elimination from the playoff picture. Dallas lost decisively to the Los Angeles Chargers 34-17 last Sunday and has dropped three of their last four games. The Commanders, meanwhile, suffered a devastating 29-18 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 16, which officially clinched the NFC East title for Philadelphia and extinguished Dallas’s playoff hopes.
This Christmas Day battle carries historical significance, as the Cowboys lead the all-time series against Washington 80-49-2, including victories in four of the last five matchups. Dallas dominated the Commanders 44-22 earlier this season in Week 7 at AT&T Stadium. However, context matters significantly in Week 17, and both teams will be fighting for different reasons on this holiday broadcast.
The forecast in Washington appears manageable, but this will mark Dallas’s first outdoor game since their Week 9 matchup in Denver. Quarterback Dak Prescott has demonstrated notable performance variations when playing in open-air stadiums, particularly during the December season. The cold weather and outdoor conditions will present a significant adjustment for a Cowboys offense that has struggled mightily over the past month.
Prescott will have difficulty maintaining consistency against a Washington defense that will be physically engaged and motivated to upset an “eliminated” Dallas squad. The Cowboys quarterback has thrown multiple interceptions in recent games, and the pressure of playing on Christmas Day in an outdoor venue could magnify those turnover issues. Expect Prescott’s completion percentage to dip below his season average, and look for the Commanders’ defensive line to create havoc in the backfield throughout the afternoon.
Additionally, the Cowboys’ offensive line continues to face injury concerns, leaving Prescott vulnerable to pressure in a hostile environment. This is the perfect storm for a subpar performance from Dallas’s quarterback, which will be the primary factor in an upset loss.
The Commanders enter this contest with renewed motivation after losing to Philadelphia in Week 16. Washington’s rushing attack will be the key to a Christmas Day victory, as they commit to establishing the run early and controlling clock management throughout the game. The Cowboys’ defense has struggled against quality rushing attacks this season, and the Commanders will exploit this weakness relentlessly.
Look for Washington to lean heavily on their running backs, Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Chris Rodriguez Jr., attacking downhill with authority and dictating tempo from the...
