The Dallas Cowboys vs. the Washington Redskins isn't just a football game. It’s a decades-long grudge match that started with a fight over a fight song and somehow morphed into a cultural phenomenon that defines the NFC East.
Honestly, the hatred is real.
If you grew up in the 70s or 80s, you didn't just "watch" this game. You felt it in your gut. It was George Allen refusing to say the word "Dallas." It was Tom Landry's stoic fedora against the chaotic energy of the Hogs. It was a clash of identities: "America’s Team" against the gritty, working-class heart of the nation's capital. While the Washington franchise has since rebranded to the Commanders, for the purposes of historical accuracy regarding this specific rivalry's peak years, we’re looking at the era when the Cowboys vs. Redskins name was the biggest ticket in sports.
How a Fight Song Started a War
Most people think rivalries are born on the field. This one started in a boardroom. In the late 1950s, oil tycoon Clint Murchison Jr. wanted to bring an NFL team to Dallas. There was one problem: George Preston Marshall, the owner of the Washington Redskins. Marshall had a monopoly on the South. He didn't want a team in Texas. He blocked Murchison at every turn.
Then, Murchison got sneaky.
He found out that Marshall had a falling out with the composer of Washington's fight song, "Hail to the Redskins." In a move that sounds like something out of a movie, Murchison bought the rights to the song. When the next league meeting rolled around, Murchison basically told Marshall, "You can have your song back if I get my team."
Marshall caved. The Cowboys were born in 1960. The rivalry was personal before the first kickoff even happened.
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The George Allen Era: Pure Psychosis
If there is one person who turned this into a blood feud, it was George Allen. When he took over Washington in 1971, he made hating Dallas a full-time job. He used to tell his players that the Cowboys were "plastic." He hated the shiny star on the helmet. He hated the "America's Team" label, which, by the way, was actually coined by NFL Films, not the Cowboys themselves.
Allen’s obsession was legendary. He famously said, "Every time you beat Dallas, you live a little longer." He wasn't kidding. The locker room energy before these games was reportedly terrifying. It wasn't about points; it was about physical erasure.
On the other side, Tom Landry was the polar opposite. He was a tactician. While Allen was screaming and spit-flying, Landry was staring at a clipboard. This contrast made the Cowboys vs. Redskins matchups fascinating. It was fire versus ice. One side wanted to punch you in the mouth; the other wanted to outthink you until you gave up.
The Bounty Games and the 1989 Blowout
Things got truly nasty in the late 80s. You can't talk about Cowboys vs. Redskins history without mentioning the 1989 "Bounty Bowl." Buddy Ryan was involved, sure, but the animosity between Jimmy Johnson and the Washington staff was palpable.
1989 was a weird year. The Cowboys were terrible. They went 1-15. Their only win? You guessed it. They beat Washington 13-3 on a Monday night. For a team that was historically bad, that single win felt like a Super Bowl. It proved that in this rivalry, the standings don't matter. You could have a roster of practice squad players, and they would still play like their lives depended on it against Washington.
The Hogs and the Smurfs
Washington’s identity in the 80s was defined by "The Hogs"—one of the most dominant offensive lines in history. Joe Bugel, the line coach, created a culture of massive men who just wanted to pave over defenders. Seeing Russ Grimm and Joe Jacoby go up against Randy White and the "Doomsday Defense" was peak NFL.
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It was heavy. It was loud. It was often bloody.
Why This Rivalry Still Matters Today
Even though the names on the jerseys change and the Washington team has a new identity, the DNA of the Cowboys vs. Redskins rivalry remains. It’s rooted in a geographical and cultural divide. Dallas is flashy, sprawling, and loves the spotlight. D.C. (at least the football side of it) is traditionally about grit, mud, and a chip on the shoulder.
When these teams meet, the ratings still spike. Why? Because the fans are raised to hate the other side. It’s passed down through generations. You’ll see grandfathers in Virginia explaining to their grandsons why they never wear silver and blue. You’ll see Dallas fans who refuse to even acknowledge that Washington has a stadium.
Key Statistical Trends
Looking back at the head-to-head records, the Cowboys have historically held the lead in the win-loss column. But that's a surface-level stat. If you look at the games decided by a touchdown or less, it’s remarkably even.
- The "Home Field" Myth: Interestingly, Washington has historically played some of their best games in Irving or Arlington.
- December Importance: A huge chunk of these games have had direct playoff implications, making the "must-win" intensity a standard feature.
- The Turnovers: In the 90s, the team that won the turnover battle in this matchup won the game over 80% of the time.
Modern Perception vs. Historical Reality
A lot of younger fans think the rivalry is "dead" because both teams have had droughts of success. They're wrong. The rivalry isn't about being good; it's about the interaction between the fanbases. When the Cowboys lost to Washington in the early 2010s during the RGIII era, the city of D.C. practically threw a parade. When Tony Romo would lead a fourth-quarter comeback against the Burgundy and Gold, it felt like a personal insult to the entire Mid-Atlantic region.
The media often tries to manufacture rivalries. They try to make "Cowboys vs. Eagles" the big one. And sure, that’s a bitter game. But it lacks the deep, weird history of the Dallas-Washington connection. The Eagles rivalry is about aggression; the Washington rivalry is about heritage.
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Actionable Steps for the Modern Fan
If you want to truly appreciate the depth of this history, you shouldn't just look at box scores. You need to see the games in context.
First, go find the footage of the 1974 Thanksgiving Day game. It’s the "Clint Longley" game. Roger Staubach got knocked out, and an unknown rookie came in to throw a 50-yard bomb to win it. It’s the quintessential Cowboys vs. Redskins moment—heartbreak for one, a miracle for the other.
Second, read "The Last Headbangers" by Kevin Cook. It captures the 1970s NFL perfectly and devotes significant time to why these two teams specifically hated each other's guts. It wasn't "marketing." It was a genuine clash of personalities.
Lastly, check out the 1982 NFC Championship game. It’s arguably the highest stakes these two ever faced. Washington won 31-17, and the RFK Stadium stands were literally shaking. The "We Want Dallas" chant from that day is still considered one of the most iconic moments in sports history.
To understand the NFL, you have to understand this rivalry. It’s the foundation of the league’s modern era. It’s petty, it’s historical, and it’s never going away.