Dak Prescott connected with KaVontae Turpin for an 86-yard touchdown, the longest reception of Turpin’s career, as the Dallas Cowboys defeated the Washington Commanders 30-23 in an NFC East matchup on Christmas Day. The victory snapped a three-game losing streak for the Cowboys, improving their record to 7-8-1, while the Commanders fell to 4-12 in a season hampered by injuries.
Prescott’s deep pass to Turpin came midway through the second quarter with the Cowboys leading 14-3. On a free play due to a defensive offside penalty by Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu, Prescott recognized the opportunity and launched the ball to Turpin, who caught it in stride 42 yards downfield and outran the defense for the remaining 44 yards. The touchdown extended Dallas’s lead to 21-3 and showcased Prescott’s arm strength and Turpin’s speed, with Turpin reaching over 20 miles per hour during the play, according to NextGenStats.
The Cowboys dominated early offensively, scoring on each of their first three possessions and amassing 480 yards of total offense without any turnovers. Prescott finished the game with 307 passing yards and two touchdowns on 19-of-37 completions, demonstrating his commitment to playing through the end of the season despite the team being eliminated from playoff contention. His performance was a highlight in an otherwise inconsistent year for Dallas, which has faced challenges on both sides of the ball.
Washington, playing with backup quarterback Josh Johnson due to injuries to starters Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota, kept the game competitive despite being outgained. Johnson completed 15 of 23 passes for 198 yards, but the Commanders’ defense, led by defensive tackle Johnny Newton’s three sacks, couldn’t contain the Cowboys’ offense when it mattered most. Rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt, nicknamed ‘Bill,’ rushed for 105 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries in a standout performance.
Injuries continued to plague the Commanders, with center Tyler Biadasz suffering a knee injury during the game and being ruled out, adding to a list that has seen 30 players miss a combined 140 games this season. For the Cowboys, the win provided a measure of pride in a division rivalry, improving their NFC East record to 4-1, though questions remain about the team’s defensive consistency and future direction.
Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer emphasized the importance of finishing the season strong, and Prescott echoed that sentiment, vowing to play in the final game against the New York Giants to aim for a .500 record. However, analysts have debated whether Prescott should sit to avoid injury, given the team’s playoff elimination. The Cowboys’ defense, while recording six sacks, allowed Washington to stay in the game until a late field goal by Brandon Aubrey sealed the victory.
Looking ahead, the Cowboys will focus on ending the season positively against the Giants, while the Commanders turn their attention to evaluating young talent and preparing for the draft. Prescott’s touchdown to Turpin will be remembered as a key moment in a holiday game that underscored the resilience of both teams in a challenging NFL season.
