Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Commanders Match Player Stats – In-Depth Breakdown

When the Dallas Cowboys clash with the Washington Commanders, fans expect fireworks and big numbers. This article dives deep into the Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Commanders Match Player Stats of their recent matchups so you get a clear, authoritative view of how each team and key players performed. We examine passing, rushing, defense and special-teams data, draw actionable insights, and finish with FAQs. The goal: clear language, strong analysis, and practical take-aways.
Key Overview: Match Context & Relevance
The Cowboys-Commanders rivalry carries weight in the NFC East and often features pivotal games. For example, in the Cowboys home match the Commanders edged them 23-19 to close the regular season.
In another matchup, the Cowboys beat the Commanders 34-26 in November.
By drilling into these games’ player stats we uncover patterns that tell you which players stepped up, which units struggled, and what that might mean for future meetings.
Passing Performance Highlights
In the 23-19 Commanders win:
- QB Jayden Daniels went 6-of-12 for 38 yards, no TDs and no INTs before being replaced.
- Backup Marcus Mariota came in strong: 15-of-18 for 161 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs.
- The Cowboys’ passing numbers were better overall but stalled in key moments.
In the 34-26 Cowboys win:
- Dallas completed 24-of-32 passes, gained 241 yards.
- Washington passed for 267 yards via 25-of-38 completions.
Key take-away: When the Commanders’ passing game clicked (via Mariota), they won. The Cowboys often moved the ball but failed to convert splits into enough touchdowns.
Rushing & Running Game Insights
Going back to the November matchup:
- Cowboys rushed for 91 yards on 28 attempts (~3.3 yards per carry).
- Commanders rushed for 145 yards on 25 attempts (~5.8 yards per carry).
- Time of possession heavily favoured Dallas (35:12 vs 24:48) even though Washington ran more efficiently.
Action point: Efficient rushing (higher yards per carry) gave Washington an edge despite less volume. For Dallas, volume was there but the output per carry lagged.
Defensive & Special Teams Snapshot
Important defensive / special-teams stats from the 34-26 game:
- The Commanders blocked a field goal and a punt — a rare special teams feat.
- In the same game, Washington forced 4 sacks; also had 8 penalties for 67 penalty yards.
- On the 23-19 game: Dallas out-gained Washington (378 yards vs 269) and had the lead in possession time (37:03 vs 22:57) but still lost.
Interpretation: Possession and yardage alone don’t win the game. Conversion in red zone, turnovers, and special-teams swing matter, and Washington managed the latter two better in the close win.
Key Players to Watch & Their Impact
- Mariota (Commanders) showed up when it mattered: clutch passing and no turnovers.
- The Cowboys’ receivers—particularly CeeDee Lamb—have big yards capability. Lamb caught five passes for 110 yards and one TD in one win vs Washington.
- The Cowboys’ rushing attack in the loss was inefficient (~3.3 yards per carry) which limited big-plays.
- Washington’s defence and special-teams made key plays: blocked kicks, fourth-quarter execution.
Summary: Success depended on clutch quarterback play (Commanders), efficient rushing (Commanders), receiving explosiveness (Cowboys), and special-teams/turnover margin (Commanders).
Why the Stats Matter for Future Matchups
When analysing “Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Commanders match player stats”, keep these patterns in mind:
- If Dallas can improve rushing efficiency and avoid settling for field goals, they tilt the field in their favour.
- If Washington can execute a clean passing game and win special-teams/turnover battles, they can upset even a yardage-heavy Dallas offense.
- Matching receiver vs defensive-back performance: Lamb’s yardage threats are real, so how Washington defends him will matter.
- Possession time is less meaningful if conversion fails — look deeper at first-downs, red-zone chances and actual TDs vs FGs.
Conclusion
In the matchup between the Cowboys and the Commanders, player stats tell an important story: efficient execution, not just volume, drives wins. If you follow these matchups, focusing on quarterback effectiveness, rushing yards per carry, and losses via special-teams or turnover margin gives strong insight into who will come out ahead.
Ready to dive deeper into specific players or upcoming matchups? Subscribe for full player-stat breakdowns, and make sure to revisit after each game for fresh-data updates.
FAQs
Q1: Which quarterback had the best performance in recent Cowboys vs Commanders games?
A1: Marcus Mariota delivered a standout performance—15-of-18, 161 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs in Washington’s 23-19 win.
Q2: Which team’s rushing attack was more efficient?
A2: In the 34-26 Cowboys win, the Commanders averaged 5.8 yards per rush attempt compared to Dallas’s ~3.3.
Q3: Do the Cowboys gain more yards but still lose?
A3: Yes. In the 23-19 loss, Dallas out-gained Washington (378 yards vs 269) and held possession longer, yet still lost.



