Before the Dallas Cowboys faced the Washington Commanders on Christmas Day, owner Jerry Jones took a festive approach to energize his team. In a pregame interview with KRLD-FM in Dallas, Jones disclosed that he dressed as Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, surprising players with gifts at their hotel. “I know this team got so much out of it. I”ll never forget it,” he remarked with a chuckle, according to The Athletic”s Jon Machota. “A lot of fun.”
The Cowboys responded to Jones” holiday spirit by delivering a 30-23 victory over the Commanders. Although the performance at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, was not flawless, it was enough to boost the team”s morale. The Cowboys initially surged ahead with a 21-3 lead midway through the second quarter, highlighted by quarterback Dak Prescott connecting on an impressive 86-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver KaVontae Turpin.
Following this strong start, the Cowboys faced challenges, allowing Washington to outscore them 20-9 in the latter part of the game. Prescott, who secured his fourth Pro Bowl selection earlier in the week, had a mixed performance, completing 19 of 37 passes for 307 yards and two touchdowns, but he also suffered six sacks totaling a loss of 38 yards.
Despite the ups and downs, the Cowboys achieved a season-high 480 yards of offense and successfully converted all six of their fourth-down attempts. Their current record stands at 7-8-1, but playoff aspirations have already slipped away for the second consecutive year. Nonetheless, the victory over Washington allows Dallas to gain momentum as they prepare for an important offseason.
Having won four out of their last seven games, including a notable win against the Philadelphia Eagles at home, optimism is building within the organization. Former Dallas running back Emmitt Smith expressed confidence in the team”s direction during an in-game interview, stating, “For the first time in a long time, for me, I feel like we”re heading in the right direction,” as reported by Machota.
With much work ahead to ensure a successful rebound next season, Jones and his squad should relish the triumph over the Commanders, which adds extra joy to their holiday season.
