The Washington Commanders were defeated by the Dallas Cowboys 34-26 in a Week 12 matchup at Northwest Stadium. Despite a strong offensive performance, Washington’s defense struggled to contain Dallas’ ground game, which recorded its highest rushing total in seven weeks. The Cowboys’ rushing attack was led by Rico Dowdle, who carried the ball 19 times for 86 yards and contributed with three receptions for 12 yards. Dowdle’s ability to extend drives proved crucial, as it helped maintain possession and set up scoring opportunities for quarterback Cooper Rush.
Cooper Rush had an efficient game, completing 24 of 32 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns. One of his key throws was a 22-yard touchdown pass to tight end Luke Schoonmaker in the fourth quarter, which extended Dallas’ lead. While Dallas struggled on third downs, going just 2-for-11, their ability to control the clock and create scoring chances through the running game allowed them to dictate the tempo of the game. Washington’s defense allowed a total of 332 yards and could not make critical stops when needed.
On the offensive side, Washington was led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who threw for 274 yards and two touchdowns. Daniels also added 74 rushing yards and another score, as he helped his team rack up 411 yards of total offense. Despite Daniels’ strong performance, the Commanders’ defense could not make stops on key possessions, which ultimately allowed Dallas to hold on to their lead.
The game’s defining moment came late in the third quarter, when Dallas’ KaVontae Turpin returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown, extending their lead to 27-17. Washington quickly responded with an 86-yard touchdown pass from Daniels to Terry McLaurin, narrowing the gap to 27-24. However, Dallas put the game away with an onside kick return touchdown by Juanyeh Thomas, which sealed the victory for the Cowboys and eliminated any chance for a Washington comeback.
Looking ahead, the Commanders now face the 3-8 Tennessee Titans in Week 13. With their playoff hopes still alive but fading, Washington needs to address their defensive struggles while continuing their strong offensive play under Daniels. The Titans, who have had a disappointing season, offer Washington a chance to regroup and regain momentum. The Commanders will need to tighten up their defense and maintain their offensive output to stay in the playoff race in the competitive NFC.
