The Washington Commanders concluded their Christmas Day matchup with a 30-23 defeat against the Dallas Cowboys, a game that highlighted both promising individual performances and significant team shortcomings. The loss at Northwest Stadium on December 25, 2025, provided a clear look at the roster's potential and its persistent issues as the regular season winds down.
Rookie Standouts and Defensive Lapses
One of the brightest spots for Washington was the continued emergence of rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt. The seventh-round draft pick delivered a career-defining performance, rushing 11 times for 105 yards and two touchdowns. His most electrifying moment came in the third quarter with a 72-yard touchdown sprint, the longest run of his young career, which narrowed the Cowboys' lead to 24-17.
"I saw daylight," Croskey-Merritt said post-game. "I was like, 'This is my chance to show when there's open field, I can take it the distance.'" This marked his third consecutive game with a touchdown, bringing his season total to eight rushing scores.
However, the Commanders' defence had no answer for the Cowboys on critical downs. Dallas struggled on third down early but was flawless on fourth down, converting their first six attempts. On their second scoring drive alone, quarterback Dak Prescott completed a 19-yard pass on fourth and one and a four-yard pass on fourth and two, consistently extending drives that resulted in points.
Pass Rush Shines, Run Defence Falters
The Washington pass rush delivered one of its best performances of the season, sacking Prescott six times. Second-year defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton led the charge with three sacks, becoming the first Commander since 2015 to achieve that feat. Veteran Von Miller also made history, tying for tenth on the all-time sack list with 137.5.
This pressure was undermined by a porous run defence. Even after Cowboys running back Javonte Williams left in the first half with a shoulder injury, Washington could not contain the ground game. Backup Malik Davis stepped in and racked up 103 yards on 20 carries, consistently allowing Dallas to control the clock and the game's tempo.
Penalties and Broadcast Distractions
Discipline was a major issue for the Commanders, as the teams combined for 21 penalties totalling 160 yards. A critical false start by Brandon Coleman in the fourth quarter forced a punt on what would have been a fourth-and-three attempt at the Dallas 45-yard line. The subsequent Cowboys drive consumed over seven minutes and ended with a field goal, effectively sealing the game.
The NFL's broadcast experiment with Netflix also drew criticism. In-game interviews with former players like Clinton Portis and Emmitt Smith were deemed lengthy and distracting. While a promotional segment for "Stranger Things" helped fill seats, it added to a broadcast feel that many fans found disjointed from the on-field action.
Despite the loss, the Commanders' "Super Bowl Era" alternate uniforms received praise for their aesthetic, as did the Cowboys' new combination of white helmets with navy jerseys. The final score, however, underscored a familiar story for Washington: flashes of individual brilliance were not enough to overcome systemic failures in key phases of the game.
