The Cowboys win a hard-fought NFC East duel. Highlights include two long touchdowns. Neither team had any playoff chances before the game.

The Dallas Cowboys won a hard-fought NFC East duel at the Washington Commanders 30-23 on Thursday.

In the NFL’s first Christmas game, the strong Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott racked up 307 passing yards and two touchdowns. Commanders QB Josh Johnson threw for 198 yards but failed to score a touchdown.

Cowboys receiver KaVontae Turpin provided a highlight, turning his only reception of the game into an 86-yard touchdown.

For the Commanders, rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt stood out with 105 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Neither team had any playoff chances before the game. The Cowboys are now 7-8-1, while the Commanders are 5-11.

Prescott and Ferguson score right away

Right on the opening drive, spectators at the Commanders’ Northwest Stadium saw a touchdown. Prescott found his tight end Jake Ferguson, who injured his calf during the second half, with a six-yard pass. The Commanders responded quickly, but a long run by Deebo Samuel was stopped before the end zone. Kicker Jake Moody narrowed the gap for the team from the US capital with a field goal.

The Cowboys’ running game continued to dominate in the second quarter. Running back Javonte Williams, who was also forced to leave the game shortly afterwards due to injury, gave the Texas team a 14-3 lead with his eleventh touchdown of the season.

KaVontae Turpin with an 86-yard touchdown

Washington had little impact at this stage, and the Cowboys extended their lead with an 86-yard touchdown by wide receiver Turpin.

Prescott threw the ball just short of his own end zone, Turpin caught it in the middle of the field and was unstoppable.

Just before halftime, the Commanders scored their first touchdown of the game, with running back Croskey-Merritt carrying the ball into the end zone from close range.

Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey scored a field goal at the other end of the field to make it 24-10 at halftime.

Croskey-Merritt runs into the end zone again

In the second half, it was Croskey-Merritt who provided another highlight. The Commanders’ seventh-round pick ran 72 yards for a touchdown.

Washington was now within seven points, but Cowboys kicker Aubrey restored the score to 27-17 with a 52-yard field goal.

On the other side, kicker Moody put the ball between the posts and kept the Commanders’ hopes alive.

The kickers were also in the spotlight in the final stages. Aubrey and Moody each scored field goals from 51 yards. The Commanders now needed a touchdown to force overtime, but the Cowboys ran out the clock. Above all, their strong performance on fourth downs (6/6) throughout the game ultimately proved decisive.