The air changes when these two teams meet. It’s not just about a game on a Sunday afternoon in November. Honestly, if you grew up watching football in the 70s, 80s, or 90s, the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins game wasn't just a matchup; it was a cultural event that divided households from the Potomac to the Trinity River. Even though the Washington franchise has moved through name changes—from the Redskins to the Football Team and now the Commanders—the DNA of this rivalry remains rooted in those legendary "Burgundy and Gold" versus "Silver and Blue" battles.
It’s personal.
George Allen, the legendary Washington coach, used to say that "every time you beat Dallas, it’s like living a year longer." That’s the kind of petty, beautiful energy that makes NFL rivalries great. It wasn't about the playoffs every time. Sometimes it was just about making sure the other guy didn't get to smile on the flight home.
The Petty Origins of the NFL’s Funniest Feud
Most people think this rivalry started on the field. It didn't. It started in a boardroom with a song.
Back in the late 1950s, Clint Murchison Jr. wanted to bring an NFL team to Dallas. George Preston Marshall, the owner of the Washington Redskins at the time, was the only owner who blocked him. Marshall had a monopoly on the South. He didn't want to share the market.
So, what did Murchison do? He found out that Marshall had a falling out with the composer of the Redskins' fight song, "Hail to the Redskins." Murchison secretly bought the rights to the song. When the next league meeting rolled around, Murchison basically told Marshall: "You vote for my Dallas franchise, or I’ll stop you from playing your own fight song at your games."
Marshall blinked. Dallas got the Cowboys. A rivalry was born out of pure, unadulterated spite.
That Time the Field Turned Into a Boxing Ring
You can't talk about the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins game history without mentioning 1983. This was the "No-Name" defense era versus the "Hogs." The Redskins were the defending Super Bowl champs. Before the game, Cowboys defensive end Harvey Martin reportedly sent a funeral wreath to the Washington locker room.
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It backfired.
Washington came back from a double-digit deficit to win 31-27. But the score isn't what people remember. They remember the physicality. They remember Joe Theismann getting hit so hard his helmet nearly spun around. They remember the dirt, the grass stains, and the absolute refusal of both teams to shake hands afterward. It was a different era of football. Nowadays, guys swap jerseys at midfield. Back then? They barely wanted to share the same oxygen.
Why the "Redskins" Era Remains the Focal Point for Fans
While the name has changed to the Commanders, many fans—especially the older generation—still view the peak of this rivalry through the lens of the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins game era. This was when Joe Gibbs and Tom Landry were playing chess against each other.
Landry was the stoic man in the fedora. Gibbs was the workaholic who slept on a cot in his office.
Their styles couldn't have been more different. Dallas was "America's Team," flashy and polished. Washington was the "Over-the-Hill Gang," a gritty group of veterans and massive offensive linemen known as the Hogs. This contrast in identity is what fueled the TV ratings. You were either a Dallas fan or you hated Dallas. There was no middle ground.
The 1972 NFC Championship
If you want to know why Washington fans of a certain age get misty-eyed, it's this game. Washington beat Dallas 26-3 to go to their first Super Bowl. It validated everything George Allen had built. It proved that the Cowboys weren't invincible. For a generation of fans in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) area, that win felt like a liberation.
The Modern Shift: Can the Spark Return?
Let’s be real for a second. The rivalry has lacked some punch lately. With Dallas often hovering near the top of the division and Washington struggling through ownership turmoil and rebuilding phases, the stakes haven't always felt "life or death."
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But things are shifting.
With new ownership in Washington and a fresh crop of talent, the energy is coming back. The NFL is better when the NFC East is a dogfight. When the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins game (or Commanders game, if we're being modern) matters for the standings, the whole league feels more intense.
It’s about the tropes.
- The "Cowboys fans who have never been to Texas" vs. the "Die-hard D.C. locals."
- The glitz of AT&T Stadium vs. the storied (and sometimes crumbling) history of RFK and FedEx Field.
- The Thanksgiving Day tradition that often sees these two beating each other up while the rest of the country eats turkey.
Breaking Down the Numbers (The Real Ones)
If you look at the all-time series, Dallas leads. It’s a fact that Cowboys fans will remind you of every five minutes. But the "all-time lead" hides the nuance of the streaks.
There were stretches in the 80s where Washington dominated. There were stretches in the 90s where the Cowboys' "Tripleplets" (Aikman, Smith, Irvin) made it look easy. But even in the "down" years, the underdog almost always plays up.
Take 1989. The Cowboys were abysmal. They went 1-15. Guess who that one win was against?
Yep. Washington.
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That’s the essence of this matchup. You could be the worst team in the league, but if you ruin the season for your rival, it’s a successful year. Honestly, that’s the most "football" thing ever.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Rivalry
A common misconception is that the rivalry is dead because the names changed. That’s nonsense. Rivalries aren't built on logos; they’re built on geography and history.
The proximity between D.C. and Dallas isn't the point. It’s the "America’s Team" moniker. When the Cowboys claimed that title, every other fan base—but especially Washington’s—took it as a personal insult. Washington fans felt they were the team of the nation's capital, so how could Dallas be "America's Team"?
This psychological tug-of-war is what keeps the stadium seats filled. It’s why you’ll still see throwback jerseys in the stands. It’s why the trash talk on social media remains so incredibly toxic (and entertaining).
Actionable Takeaways for the Next Gameday
If you’re planning on watching the next iteration of this historic matchup, or if you're a newer fan trying to understand the hype, here is how to actually enjoy the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins game legacy:
- Watch the Trenches: This rivalry was built on offensive line play. Don't just follow the ball. Watch the left tackle and the defensive end. The spirit of the "Hogs" lives on in the physicality of the NFC East.
- Ignore the Records: Never bet the spread based on season performance alone. The underdog in this game covers the spread more often than you’d think because the emotional stakes level the playing field.
- Learn the "Hail to the Redskins" History: Even if you prefer the new name, understanding the "song ransom" story gives you the ultimate bar trivia weapon.
- Check the Injury Report for "NFC East Weather": If the game is in D.C. late in the season, the turf is notorious. It changes how Dallas (a dome team) plays.
- Respect the Thanksgiving Legacy: If these two are playing on a Thursday in November, cancel your plans. It is historically one of the most-watched regular-season games for a reason.
The names on the jerseys might evolve, and the stadiums might get shinier, but the fundamental dislike between these two franchises is a permanent fixture of American sports. It’s a feud started by a song, fueled by Hall of Fame coaches, and kept alive by two of the most vocal fan bases in the world. Whether you call it the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins game or the Cowboys vs. Commanders, the intensity remains exactly the same.
To get the most out of the next matchup, look into the specific history of the "Bounty Bowl" or the 1991 Redskins championship run to see how Dallas eventually broke that dominance in the early 90s. Understanding those cycles makes every first down feel a lot more significant.