Classic NFC East rivalry goes a long way, and this year’s Christmas match is just another opportunity for the two teams to square off against each other.  The match between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Commanders was once again filled with tension, dramatic moments, and shifting fortunes.

However, unlike in previous seasons, the teams aren’t in the same position in the playoffs.  There are uncomfortable questions hanging over Dallas, as it seems the postseason options are no longer available to them.  In this article, we’ll dive into the playoff hopes for the Cowboys.

Dallas Cowboys’ 2025 Season: Expectations vs. Reality

 The Cowboys started the season with great confidence.  It was based on a great roster, quarterback continuity, and the recent playoff successes.  The team even had ambitions of going for the NFC East crown.  Flashes of these qualities were evident early in the season, but as the season progressed, it became clear the team was in trouble.

This was seen in a few close losses that had a psychological effect on the team.  Soon after, red zone efficiency dipped, and a few injuries weakened the team.  A lot of the games this season were lost in the last quarter, and inconsistency became the biggest issue.

After a while, the pressure became too much, and it seemed we were watching one of the worst seasons for the Cowboys.  By the time the holiday matchup arrived, Dallas’ playoff chances had almost disappeared.  There was a chance the team could reach the playoffs, but it wasn’t in its hands and depended on the rest of the East, and that didn’t work out.

Washington Commanders’ Season: Rebuilding through Turbulence

For Washington, the season has been less about contention and more about survival and evaluation.  From the very start of the season, the team struggled to find stability, especially on offense.  They’ve changed quarterbacks, and injuries have troubled the roster.

This doesn’t mean that the whole season was bad.  Young players had a huge opportunity, and the coaching staff figured out who fit where in the broader puzzle, usually through trial and error.  There was no chance the Commanders would make the playoffs, so the focus was on divisional games.

The Christmas game was therefore an opportunity for the team to provide its fan base with a great rivalry matchup, energize its fan base, and boost the confidence of the roster.  It also helps to have a game without high stakes, where a win is the only goal a team could have.

 The Playoff Picture: Where Dallas Stands

The playoff picture became clear for both teams before the Christmas match.  If Dallas had any hopes of getting into the playoffs, it depended on several other matchups going the unexpected way and opening the path for them.  This was very unlikely, and it’s now certain that neither team will be going into the playoffs.

This was mostly because of Philadelphia’s dominance in the East.  Once the Eagles locked up the division, it was clear that the Cowboys stood no chance.  This also means that the Cowboys are no longer playing for January, but that every match is important in its own right.  It can change the team’s strategy and perspective by enabling more experimentation.

Wild card spots are always interesting to follow, because a lot of matches need to unfold just right in order for those to work out.  The Los Angeles Rams have one spot, and the Panthers could get the other in the NFC South.

 Injuries, Lineups, and Late-Season Decisions

The injury concerns that have troubled the team throughout the season will continue in January.  Dak Prescott played throughout the late season, but still remains the most significant variable.  Tyron Smith’s availability has been a week-to-week concern, forcing Dallas to change its protection strategy.

Defensively, the team had a lot of trouble as well.  DeMarvion Overshown was injured, and Dallas had to test its ability to stop the run and cover underneath routes.  The results were mixed, and against some opponents, the defense completely fell apart.

Washington also finishes the season with a lot of injuries and limited options.  Sam Howell was supposed to be a long-term solution to many of the team’s problems, but injuries limited his time on the field and, later, his abilities.  Each start now serves as an audition for his future with the team.

Looking Ahead: Odds and Expectations for Future Games

 According to the best sports betting sites, the upcoming game against the Commanders should be an easy one for the Cowboys.  These sites allow players to place wagers before or during the game, using crypto.

Dallas is favored by 6.5–7 points, with a moneyline that suggests strong confidence in a Cowboys win over Washington.  In the last game against the Giants, Dallas is also a favorite, but the odds suggest the game will be tight.  Consensus closing lines showed Dallas as a small favorite (around 1.5) against the Giants to finish the season.

Earlier projections had the Cowboys’ season win total at 8.5, slightly below preseason expectations.

The Washington Commanders’ last game of the season will be the January 4th matchup against the Eagles.  There are no available odds for this match yet, but the Eagles are almost certain to win.

Rivalry Matters: Why Cowboys vs. Commanders Is Never “Meaningless”

The Cowboys and Commanders remain rivals, despite both teams having a bad season and their Christmas match not affecting the overall season ranking.  The game also didn’t shape the narrative for this season, since both teams had already charted their paths much earlier.

However, rivalries are never meaningless.  Their importance to the team and the players lies in the competitions themselves, and we’ve seen that every time the two teams square off, regardless of the result or its impact on the standings.

What the Pattern Says

There’s a pattern in the Dallas Cowboys’ performance this season and a few seasons before.  It can be summarized as the “late season collapse”.  This happened in several matches and was always due to a combination of turnovers, defensive lapses, and inconsistent quarterback play.  Many feel that the responsibility lies with the coaching team’s inability to change strategy during the game quickly.

Even without the chance to play in January, the last games of the season will still impact how the team’s mistakes are assessed, as well as a few performance abilities that stood out to the Commanders and others.

To Sum Up

 The Cowboys had playoff aspirations, but after the game against the Commanders and many would argue before that match, even those aspirations were crushed.  It was a long shot because it depended on the Eagles fumbling in a lot of important matchups.  The Cowboys can now focus on the last two games of the season, in which they have a slight advantage.

The team has shown a pattern of starting the season strong and with an incredible roster, but losing momentum later on, and that will be addressed in the years to come.