LANDOVER, MD — The Dallas Cowboys didn’t just win on Christmas Day — they imposed their will, rewrote pieces of the record book, and reminded the NFC East that the division still runs through them.
In their sixth Christmas Day appearance in franchise history, the Cowboys evened their holiday record to 3–3 and improved to 4–1 against NFC East opponents this season. Over the last five years, that dominance has become a trend: Dallas is now 22–7 against divisional foes, the best mark in the league over that span.
This one was about nerve as much as execution.
Dallas went a perfect 6-for-6 on fourth down, becoming the first team since tracked records began in 1991 to convert every fourth down in a game with six or more attempts. Four of those conversions came in the first half — something no team had done since the 2006 New Orleans Saints — fueling long, clock-eating marches that dictated the afternoon.
The Cowboys ran 87 offensive plays, their most in a non-overtime game this century and second-most overall in that span. They controlled the ball for 38:44, their highest time of possession since 2023, and leaned on a punishing run game that piled up 211 rushing yards on 44 attempts, both season highs.
Two drives told the story of the day’s authority. A 17-play march ended with a Javonte Williams touchdown run, the team’s longest drive of the season. Later, a 97-yard possession produced the highlight of the afternoon — KaVontae Turpin’s 86-yard catch-and-run that broke the game open.
Dak Prescott again set the tone through the air, completing 19 of 37 passes for 307 yards and two touchdowns, logging his league-leading sixth 300-yard performance of the year. He also reached 30 touchdown passes on the season, tying Tony Romo for the most 30-TD seasons (four) in franchise history.
George Pickens continued his breakout campaign with four catches for 78 yards, pushing his season total to 1,420 receiving yards, the fourth-highest single-season mark in Cowboys history.
Dallas’ ground game delivered balance and bruising efficiency. Malik Davis posted career highs with 20 carries and 103 rushing yards, recording his first career 100-yard outing and averaging 5.2 yards per rush.
On defense, veteran pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney added 1.5 sacks — his second multi-sack performance of the year — and moved into a tie with James Houston for the team lead at 5.5.
It was the kind of win that checks boxes in December: physicality, poise in critical downs, and production from stars and role players alike.
Up next: The Cowboys travel to New York to face the Giants next Sunday in another key NFC East matchup.
