By Darin Hayes The rivalry between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Football Team (formerly Redskins) stands as one of the most intense and enduring in NFL history. On a recent episode of the Pigskin Daily History Dispatch, Darin Hayes and guest Ed Kleese dove into this legendary feud, ranking the Top 10 regular-season games to expand the rivalry’s rich lore. The criteria for the list excluded playoff matchups, ensuring only games that “mattered”—featuring at least one relevant team—were considered. Here is a summary of the most impactful clashes, counted down to number one.
The Rivalry’s Sweet Spot
The hosts noted that the prime era for classic matchups was from the late 1960s to the early 1990s, a period when both franchises were frequently in contention. While the rivalry has provided over 120 regular-season games, finding meaningful contests has been difficult in the last 30 years as the teams rarely peak simultaneously. The intensity of this rivalry, fueled by coaches like Tom Landry and George Allen, created an environment where every snap was a battle.
Top 10 Washington-Dallas Moments (Ranked 10-1)
10. October 1972: Redskins Arrive (Washington 24, Dallas 20)
This early-season game at RFK Stadium saw the Redskins, under George Allen, stage a significant comeback, rallying from a 13-0 and 20-7 deficit. Running back Larry Brown was a force, tallying 95 rushing yards and 100 receiving yards, scoring a late touchdown to seal the win. This victory was an important arrival moment for Washington’s first Super Bowl team and prevented the NFC Championship Game from later being played in Dallas.
9. September 2005: The Monday Night Miracle (Washington 14, Dallas 13)
One of the most stunning endings ever, this game was abysmal for the first 57 minutes, with Dallas leading 13-0. In the final four minutes, quarterback Mark Brunell connected with Santana Moss for two improbable, long touchdowns (one for 39 yards, one for 70+ yards) against the same defenders, giving the Redskins an unbelievable 14-13 victory at Texas Stadium.
8. November 2006: The Blocked Kick Chaos (Washington 22, Dallas 19)
A wild finish at FedEx Field saw the Cowboys line up for a game-winning field goal with three seconds left. Troy Vincent blocked the kick, which was recovered by Sean Taylor. The play continued, and Dallas committed a face mask penalty as Taylor was tackled, advancing the ball into Washington’s field goal range. The penalty allowed Washington kicker Nick Novak to hit a winning field goal on an untimed down.
7. September 1983: White Leads the Comeback (Dallas 31, Washington 30)
In a season opener at RFK, Washington—coming off a Super Bowl win—led 23-3 at halftime. However, Danny White engineered a massive comeback, throwing for 373 yards, as the Cowboys stormed back to steal a 31-30 win. This game featured Daryl Green’s famous, incredible chase-down tackle of Tony Dorsett.
6. December 2012: Win-and-In (Washington 28, Dallas 18)
Flexed to Sunday Night Football, this season finale was a winner-take-all for the NFC East title. With both teams at 9-6, it was essentially a playoff game. Quarterback Tony Romo threw a critical late interception that was converted into a touchdown, sealing the division for Washington in the emotional climax of the RGIII season.
5. November 1973: The Ken Houston Goal-line Stand (Washington 14, Dallas 7)
A classic Monday Night Football defensive battle, this game is remembered for one iconic play. Trailing 14-7 late, Cowboys running back Walt Garrison caught a pass near the goal line, only to be stopped by Hall of Fame safety Ken Houston in a famous, dramatic goal-line standoff that preserved the win for Washington.
4. November 1974: The Clint Longley Game (Dallas 24, Washington 23)
The legendary Thanksgiving upset. After an injury knocked out Roger Staubach, journeyman backup quarterback Clint Longley entered the game with the Cowboys trailing 16-3. Longley miraculously led a comeback, hitting Drew Pearson for a 50-yard game-winning touchdown in a contest considered one of the most iconic Thanksgiving games ever.
3. September 1999: Aikman’s Overtime Bomb (Dallas 41, Washington 35)
An incredible shootout at the end of the Cowboys’ “Triplets” era. Washington led 35-14 in the third quarter before Troy Aikman threw two late touchdowns to Michael Irvin to tie the game. After Washington missed a potential game-winning field goal on a muffed snap by holder Matt Turk, Aikman hit Rocket Ismail for a 75-yard touchdown on the first play of overtime.
2. December 1992: The Fumble Recovery Miracle (Washington 20, Dallas 17)
The defining moment came late in a brutal, hard-hitting game at RFK. Trailing 17-13, Washington pressured Aikman in the end zone. The play resulted in a scramble and the referees ruling an Aikman fumble that was recovered by safety Danny Copeland for a touchdown, giving Washington a dramatic 20-17 lead that they held onto to win.
1. December 1979: Final Second Heartbreak (Dallas 35, Washington 34)
A winner-take-all regular-season finale for the division title. The game was an absolute classic featuring epic plays like John Riggins‘ 66-yard touchdown run. In the final moments, Roger Staubach threw a clutch touchdown pass to Tony Hill to take a 35-34 lead. The controversy lingered as a final Washington completion that would have set up a field goal attempt was called short of out-of-bounds, denying Mark Moseley a game-winning shot as time expired. This game is widely regarded as one of the best in NFL history.