washington commanders vs dallas cowboys match player stats

Washington Commanders vs Dallas Cowboys Match Player Stats (Jan 5, 2025)

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The Washington Commanders vs Dallas Cowboys match player stats on January 5, 2025, was more than just a divisional rivalry; it was a playoff-defining moment. The Commanders managed to pull off a 23–19 victory at AT&T Stadium, a win that secured them the No. 6 seed in the NFC playoffs. This matchup was the final regular season game for both teams and delivered unexpected intensity and late-game drama.

The Commanders, trailing early, relied on veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota—who stepped in during the second half after rookie Jayden Daniels had a shaky start. Mariota’s dual-threat performance changed the game, giving Washington a much-needed spark and leading a final-minute touchdown drive. On the other side, Dallas rested key starters, including Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, giving quarterback Trey Lance the chance to start. Despite putting up solid yardage, Lance and the offense couldn’t close the game.

This contest was part of the long-running and intense Commanders–Cowboys rivalry, one of the oldest in the NFL. Historically, the Cowboys have dominated the series, but Washington’s win in this game marked a significant shift—especially considering how the team executed under pressure and claimed a playoff spot. This game will be remembered not just for the stats, but for how it reshaped the NFC playoff picture in 2025.

Team Statistical Comparison

The Washington Commanders vs Dallas Cowboys match player stats reveal a fascinating contrast between both teams in terms of offensive execution, possession control, and efficiency. While the Cowboys outgained the Commanders in total yards, Washington’s situational performance proved more decisive in the final score.

Here is a direct comparison of key team stats:

Stat Category Washington Commanders Dallas Cowboys
Total Yards 269 378
Passing Yards 199 244
Rushing Yards 70 134
First Downs 15 23
Time of Possession 22:57 37:03
Third Down Efficiency 4/11 8/17
Sacks (Yards Lost) 6 (43) 2 (16)
Turnovers 0 1

Despite losing the yardage battle, the Commanders were opportunistic on both sides of the ball. They sacked Lance six times and managed a clean game with zero turnovers. Meanwhile, the Cowboys controlled the ball longer but failed to convert that control into touchdowns, settling for field goals instead. This statistical contrast highlights how game management and red zone performance often outweigh raw yardage.

Washington Commanders Player Stats

Quarterbacks – Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota

The Commanders began the game with rookie Jayden Daniels, but after a slow offensive start, veteran Marcus Mariota took over in the second half. The change was immediate and effective.

  • Jayden Daniels:
    • 6 completions on 12 attempts
    • 38 passing yards
    • 4 carries for 27 rushing yards
  • Marcus Mariota:
    • 15 completions on 18 attempts
    • 161 passing yards
    • 2 passing touchdowns
    • 5 carries for 56 rushing yards
    • 1 rushing touchdown

Mariota was the clear MVP for Washington. He delivered accurate throws, used his legs on key downs, and capped off a late 2-minute drill with a 5-yard game-winning touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin.

Offensive Skill Players

  • Terry McLaurin:
    • 8 receptions
    • 62 yards
    • 1 touchdown (game-winning TD in final seconds)
  • Zach Ertz:
    • 5 receptions
    • 44 yards
    • 1 touchdown (early in second half)

McLaurin proved once again that he’s Washington’s go-to weapon in crunch time. His route-running and timing with Mariota stood out. Tight end Zach Ertz, acquired mid-season, showed his veteran reliability and soft hands in the red zone.

Defensive Standouts

  • Mike Sainristil (rookie DB):
    • 5 solo tackles
    • 2 pass breakups
    • 1 tackle for loss
  • Montez Sweat and Daron Payne:
    • Combined for 3.5 sacks and multiple QB pressures

The defense was aggressive, frequently collapsing the pocket. Rookie Sainristil displayed veteran-like awareness in coverage, contributing on crucial downs.

Dallas Cowboys Player Stats

Quarterback – Trey Lance

In place of resting starters like Dak Prescott, Trey Lance was given a full-game opportunity. He delivered a mixed performance:

  • Trey Lance:
    • 20 completions on 34 attempts
    • 244 passing yards
    • 0 touchdowns
    • 0 interceptions
    • Sacked 6 times

Lance showed moments of promise, especially on intermediate throws, but struggled under pressure. His inability to punch the ball into the end zone limited the Cowboys’ scoring output.

Running Game and Receivers

  • Rico Dowdle:
    • 22 rushes
    • 72 yards
    • 1 touchdown
  • Jalen Tolbert:
    • 4 receptions
    • 98 yards
  • KaVontae Turpin:
    • 3 catches
    • 41 yards
    • Also contributed on special teams

Rico Dowdle carried the backfield with solid inside runs. Tolbert’s deep catches set up field goals but couldn’t find the end zone. Turpin helped stretch the field but lacked finishing plays.

Special Teams

  • Brandon Aubrey:
    • 4 field goals (34, 41, 36, 22 yards)
    • Accounted for 12 of Dallas’ 19 points

Aubrey was reliable as always, but his heavy usage reflected Dallas’ failure to finish offensive drives with touchdowns.

Key Plays & Game Momentum Shifts

Several moments defined this game’s dramatic flow, but two stood out the most:

  1. Mariota’s 33-yard scramble on 4th-and-1 in the fourth quarter flipped the momentum entirely. Instead of punting, the Commanders kept the drive alive, chewing clock and setting up the winning touchdown.
  2. Game-Winning TD: With 3 seconds left, Mariota hit McLaurin on a perfectly-timed 5-yard out route for the winning score. It capped off a 2-minute drill that was executed to perfection.

Other notable moments:

  • Sainristil’s third down deflection early in the fourth quarter stopped a Cowboys drive in Commanders territory.
  • Dowdle’s 1-yard TD in the second quarter gave Dallas a short-lived 13–7 lead.

Statistical Insights & Analysis

The Washington Commanders vs Dallas Cowboys match player stats show how performance in critical situations outweighs raw yardage totals.

  • Yards Per Play:
    • Commanders: 5.8
    • Cowboys: 5.6
  • Red Zone Efficiency:
    • Commanders: 2 TDs on 3 trips
    • Cowboys: 1 TD on 4 trips
  • Turnover Margin:
    • Commanders: +1 (no turnovers)
    • Cowboys: 1 fumble lost

Although the Cowboys controlled time of possession and ran more plays, they were inefficient in key areas. Washington executed in the red zone and committed zero turnovers. The difference showed up where it mattered: the scoreboard.

This win was the Commanders’ fifth road win of the season—marking their best away performance since 2012. It also reversed a three-game losing streak to Dallas and gave the team momentum heading into the playoffs.

The Cowboys, despite resting key players, showed depth with strong individual performances from backup players. However, this loss raised concerns about offensive depth and pressure handling in clutch moments—especially for quarterbacks behind Prescott.

Over the last ten meetings between these rivals, the Cowboys had won seven. This win not only shifted the rivalry slightly back toward Washington but did so in a way that suggests coaching and depth development are trending positively.

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FAQs

1. Who were the top performers in the Washington Commanders vs Dallas Cowboys game?
Marcus Mariota (Commanders) led with 161 passing yards and 3 total touchdowns. Terry McLaurin caught the game-winning touchdown. Rico Dowdle led the Cowboys in rushing, and Jalen Tolbert led in receiving yards.

2. How did Marcus Mariota perform after replacing Jayden Daniels?
Mariota completed 15 of 18 passes for 161 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also rushed for 56 yards and scored a rushing touchdown, leading the team to a come-from-behind win.

3. What were the most important plays of the game?
Mariota’s 33-yard run on 4th-and-1 and his 5-yard game-winning touchdown pass to McLaurin with 3 seconds left were the two most impactful moments of the match.

4. How did Trey Lance perform for the Cowboys?
Lance passed for 244 yards on 20 completions. Though efficient in yardage, he failed to score any touchdowns and was sacked six times under heavy pressure.

5. What does this win mean for the Washington Commanders?
This victory secured the No. 6 NFC seed for Washington and gave them strong momentum entering the playoffs. It also ended their losing streak against Dallas and showed their depth and resilience.

Conclusion & What This Means Going Forward

The Washington Commanders vs Dallas Cowboys match player stats illustrate more than just numbers—they reflect a team that responded to pressure, made critical plays when it mattered, and executed with discipline. The Commanders, with Marcus Mariota stepping in heroically, showed they have the depth and composure to compete in high-stakes games.

For Dallas, the game revealed areas needing improvement—particularly in red zone offense and quarterback pressure response. Still, the performance of younger players like Tolbert and Dowdle provides hope for future depth and development.

In the end, this game was a turning point for both teams. For Washington, it’s a statement win heading into the postseason. For Dallas, it’s a reminder that in football, execution always beats expectation.

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