The Washington Commanders vs Dallas Cowboys matchup delivered a high-scoring NFC East battle on September 20, 2026, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Dallas defeated Washington 37–20 to improve to 1–1, while the Commanders dropped to 0–2. The Cowboys built an early lead and maintained control through most of the game, although Washington continued producing offense after losing quarterback Jayden Daniels to an elbow injury late in the first half.
Dak Prescott led Dallas with 279 passing yards and four touchdowns on 26-of-31 passing. CeeDee Lamb added 153 receiving yards and two touchdowns, while Jake Ferguson scored twice. Washington finished with more total yards than Dallas, but the Cowboys converted their opportunities more effectively and avoided turnovers.
Final Score and Quarter Breakdown
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Commanders | 0 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 20 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 10 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 37 |
Dallas started quickly and finished the opening quarter with a 10–0 advantage. Prescott connected with Lamb for a three-yard touchdown before Brandon Aubrey added a 25-yard field goal. Washington responded in the second quarter with a field goal and a touchdown from Daniels to Stefon Diggs, but Dallas answered with Ferguson’s first touchdown of the afternoon.
The Cowboys led 17–10 at halftime and added 10 points in the third quarter. Washington managed a 47-yard field goal, but Dallas answered with a 44-yard kick and Ferguson’s second touchdown. Aubrey’s 60-yard field goal and Lamb’s fourth-quarter touchdown helped Dallas finish the game with 20 fourth-quarter points between the two teams.
Match Details
The game took place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with Dallas entering the contest looking for its first win of the season. The Cowboys responded with an efficient passing performance and controlled the scoreboard despite Washington producing 389 total yards, compared with Dallas’ 332.
The result moved Dallas to 1–1 and left Washington at 0–2. The Cowboys also held Washington to one turnover while committing none themselves. That difference helped Dallas turn its offensive efficiency into a comfortable 17-point victory.
| Match Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | September 20, 2026 |
| Week | NFL Week 2 |
| Venue | AT&T Stadium |
| Location | Arlington, Texas |
| Final Score | Cowboys 37, Commanders 20 |
| Dallas Record | 1–1 |
| Washington Record | 0–2 |
Dak Prescott Player Stats
Dak Prescott delivered one of the most notable quarterback performances of the game. He completed 26 of 31 passes for 279 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. His 143.8 passer rating reflected an efficient passing display, and he repeatedly found Dallas receivers in scoring situations.
Prescott also made Cowboys history during the victory. His four touchdown passes gave him 249 career touchdown throws for Dallas, moving him past Tony Romo for the most in franchise history. His scoring passes went to Lamb twice and Ferguson twice.
| Quarterback | C/ATT | Passing Yards | TD | INT | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dak Prescott | 26/31 | 279 | 4 | 0 | 143.8 |
| Jayden Daniels | 11/17 | 96 | 1 | 0 | 99.1 |
| Marcus Mariota | 11/16 | 111 | 1 | 0 | 109.1 |
Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota Stats
Jayden Daniels produced 96 passing yards and a touchdown before leaving the game at the end of the first half. He also led Washington with 69 rushing yards on seven carries. His touchdown pass went to Stefon Diggs for four yards during the second quarter.
Daniels suffered a dislocated left elbow on the final play of the first half while Washington attempted to score. Marcus Mariota replaced him and completed 11 of 16 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown. Mariota later connected with Diggs for a 20-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
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CeeDee Lamb and Jake Ferguson
CeeDee Lamb was Prescott’s leading target and one of the game’s biggest offensive contributors. He caught eight passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns. His first score came on a three-yard reception in the first quarter, while his second was a 24-yard touchdown catch late in the fourth quarter.
Jake Ferguson also played a major role in Dallas’ passing attack. He caught four passes for 43 yards, with both of his receptions for touchdowns coming from Prescott. Ferguson’s first touchdown covered 10 yards in the second quarter, while his second covered 12 yards in the third.
| Player | Team | Receptions | Yards | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CeeDee Lamb | Cowboys | 8 | 153 | 2 | 38 |
| Jake Ferguson | Cowboys | 4 | 43 | 2 | 14 |
| Stefon Diggs | Commanders | 5 | 47 | 2 | 20 |
| Terry McLaurin | Commanders | 2 | 50 | 0 | 26 |
| Rachaad White | Commanders | 6 | 40 | 0 | 13 |
| George Pickens | Cowboys | 6 | 40 | 0 | 12 |
Rushing Player Stats
Washington’s rushing attack produced more yardage than Dallas’ ground game. Daniels led the Commanders with 69 rushing yards, while Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Rachaad White each finished with 43 yards. The Commanders recorded 182 rushing yards as a team.
Dallas struggled to generate consistent rushing production. Javonte Williams carried 12 times for 30 yards, while Prescott added 26 yards on four carries. The Cowboys finished with 66 rushing yards, making their passing efficiency especially important in the victory.
| Player | Team | Carries | Rush Yards | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jayden Daniels | Commanders | 7 | 69 | 0 |
| Jacory Croskey-Merritt | Commanders | 12 | 43 | 0 |
| Rachaad White | Commanders | 7 | 43 | 0 |
| Javonte Williams | Cowboys | 12 | 30 | 0 |
| Dak Prescott | Cowboys | 4 | 26 | 0 |
Team Statistics
Washington actually finished the game with more total offense, recording 389 yards compared with Dallas’ 332. The Commanders also held the ball for 31:29, while Dallas had possession for 28:31. Washington ran 67 offensive plays, compared with 54 for Dallas.
The Cowboys, however, were more productive when they reached scoring opportunities. Dallas committed no turnovers, while Washington lost one. The Cowboys also converted seven of 11 third-down attempts and went three-for-four in the red zone, helping explain why Dallas won despite being outgained.
| Team Stat | Commanders | Cowboys |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 389 | 332 |
| First Downs | 24 | 20 |
| Plays | 67 | 54 |
| Possession | 31:29 | 28:31 |
| Third Down | 8/14 | 7/11 |
| Red Zone | 1/3 | 3/4 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Penalties | 5–38 | 5–32 |
Key Game Highlights
Dallas opened the scoring with a 10-play, 66-yard drive that ended with Prescott finding Lamb for a three-yard touchdown. Aubrey then added a 25-yard field goal to make it 10–0. Washington responded with a 27-yard field goal before Dallas extended its advantage when Prescott connected with Ferguson for a 10-yard touchdown.
Washington answered with Daniels’ four-yard touchdown pass to Diggs, cutting the deficit to 17–10. The Commanders then reached the Dallas one-yard line just before halftime, but the Cowboys defense stopped them. Daniels suffered his elbow injury on the final play of that sequence, changing Washington’s quarterback situation for the second half.
Second-Half Turning Point
Mariota opened the second half for Washington and helped the Commanders add a 47-yard field goal. Dallas answered with Aubrey’s 44-yard field goal before Prescott found Ferguson for a 12-yard touchdown. The Cowboys then gained another possession after Jaishawn Barham forced a fumble by Washington receiver Dyami Brown, with Dallas recovering at the Commanders’ 13-yard line.
Dallas continued to extend its lead in the fourth quarter. Aubrey converted a 60-yard field goal, giving the Cowboys a 30–13 advantage. Washington responded with Mariota’s 20-yard touchdown pass to Diggs, but Prescott then delivered two big throws to Lamb, including a 24-yard touchdown that completed Dallas’ scoring.
Match Summary
The Dallas Cowboys defeated the Washington Commanders 37–20 behind Prescott’s four touchdown passes and Lamb’s 153 receiving yards. Ferguson added two touchdowns, while Aubrey contributed three field goals, including a 60-yarder. Washington generated 389 total yards and 182 rushing yards, but Dallas made more of its scoring opportunities and protected the football throughout the game.
The matchup also became notable because Prescott moved past Romo for Dallas’ franchise record with 249 career touchdown passes. For Washington, the major development was Daniels’ left elbow dislocation, which forced Mariota into the second half. The Commanders eventually scored 10 fourth-quarter points, but Dallas’ early lead and efficient passing attack proved decisive.
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