Rank'Em
Rank’Em: ’Tis the season for Cowboys football
Here's a chronological recap of the 22 times when Dallas has played before, after and actually on Christmas Day.
Dec. 24, 1967 • Cowboys vs. Browns (Eastern Championship Game) • W, 52-14
The very first playoff victory for the Cowboys came on Christmas Eve in a game that saw Dallas set a record that still stands for most points and largest margin of victory in a postseason game. Running back Craig Baynham also set a team mark with 18 points scored while Hall of Famer Bob Hayes racked up 144 receiving yards and another 141 punt return yards.
Dec. 26, 1970 • Cowboys vs. Lions (NFC Divisional Playoff) • W, 5-0
From one extreme to the other, the Cowboys' win over Detroit in 1970 is still the second-lowest scoring playoff game in NFL history. The first postseason tilt played on artificial turf took place in 30-degree weather, which led to just 22 passing yards for Dallas, although Duane Thomas provided 135 rushing yards. That was good enough as the Cowboys rode their Doomsday Defense to victory.
Dec. 25, 1971 • Cowboys at Vikings (NFC Divisional Playoff) • W, 20-12
The Cowboys were underdogs in their first-ever game played on Christmas. Despite a wind-chill of minus-12 and being outgained 311 yards to 183, the Dallas defense got five takeaways (four interceptions and a fumble recovery) to frustrate the Vikings. The victory would jumpstart head coach Tom Landry (shown here during practice the day before the game) and his troop's run to Super Bowl VI, where they would defeat the Dolphins for the franchise's first Lombardi Trophy.
Dec. 26, 1977 • Cowboys vs. Bears (NFC Divisional Playoff) • W, 37-7
There was simply no slowing down the Cowboys in this Monday afternoon affair. The Bears never had a chance as Dallas outgained the visitors 365 yards to 143 while forcing Chicago to turn the ball over seven times, which included three interceptions from safety Charlie Waters. Only a fourth-quarter touchdown after the Cowboys had called off the dogs broke the shutout. Dallas would go on to win its second title with a victory in Super Bowl XII over the Broncos.
Dec. 26, 1982 • Cowboys vs. Eagles • L, 20-24
With the schedule pushed back because of a players strike, this marked the latest the Cowboys had played a regular-season game to this point in their history. Dallas welcomed an Eagles squad that would finish just 3-6 in the shortened year, but Philadelphia got the upper hand in this one. Although leading 20-14 early in the fourth quarter, the Cowboys allowed 10 points over the final few minutes of the game to suffer the loss.
Dec. 26, 1983 • Cowboys vs. Rams (NFC Wild Card) • L, 24-17
This would mark the last time Dallas played a postseason game around the Christmas holiday. With a wind-chill dropping into single digits, the 12-5 Cowboys were heavily favored at home over the 10-7 Rams. But a 17-point run by Los Angeles in the second half was too much to overcome. Quarterback Danny White threw for 330 yards and two touchdowns but also had three interceptions in the loss.
Dec. 24, 1989 • Cowboys vs. Packers • L, 20-10
There were high hopes when Jerry Jones bought the team in 1989, hired Jimmy Johnson as head coach and then drafted quarterback Troy Aikman. But by the time the final game of that first season came around, there was nothing left to do but hope for a Christmas miracle. That didn't happen as Dallas completed its schedule with just one win. The Cowboys kept it close for a while, the score being tied 10-10 in the third quarter, but helped by five turnovers in the game, including four interceptions from Aikman, the Packers went on to score the final 10 points to take the victory.
Dec. 26, 1993 • Cowboys vs. Redskins • W, 38-3
Perhaps at the peak of their power, the Cowboys were simply no match for Washington. This one saw Dallas reel off what would be the fourth of eight straight victories, a streak that eventually ended with a win over Buffalo in Super Bowl XXVIII. Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith did the damage in this one, rushing for 153 yards and a touchdown, although fellow Canton resident Michael Irvin also reached the end zone with an 8-yard touchdown catch.
Dec. 24, 1994 • Cowboys at Giants • L, 15-10
There wasn't much to play for in this outing as Dallas already had the second seed in the conference locked up while the Giants had been limited from playoff contention. Which perhaps explains the score in this Saturday afternoon meeting. With running back Emmitt smith on the sideline and quarterback Troy Aikman taken out early, the Cowboys managed only 183 yards of total offense. Tied 10-10 in the third quarter, New York posted a sack and a field goal to take the game.
Dec. 25, 1995 • Cowboys at Cardinals • W, 37-13
Played on Monday night, this was the final game of the 1995 regular season. It was also the first time Dallas had ever played on Christmas before the playoffs. On a mission to earn home-field advantage during the postseason, the Cowboys overwhelmed the Cardinals, posting 17 unanswered points in the first quarter alone, including a 32-yard pick-6 from safety Brock Marion. Wideout Kevin Williams led the offensive effort with 203 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Dec. 24, 1999 • Cowboys at Saints • L, 31-24
Normally, a Christmas Eve night in New Orleans is probably a pretty good time. Not for the Cowboys in 1999. Dallas still had slim hopes of making the playoffs but couldn't take care of business against the lowly Saints, spoiling any chances. Tied 24-24 early in the fourth quarter, a 58-yard fumble return by New Orleans proved to be the difference.
Dec. 25, 2000 • Cowboys at Titans • L, 31-0
The fact this game is associated with Christmas Day is unfortunate, given that this might be on the short-list of worst performances in franchise history. A Cowboys team that was just looking to finish up a dismal season was facing a Titans squad that was among the best in the NFL. The result was even worse than predicted as Dallas was held to just 95 yards of offense, including nine net passing yards. You read that right – nine.
Dec. 26, 2004 • Cowboys vs. Redskins • W, 13-10
While the Cowboys were limping to the finish, losing three of their last four games, the Redskins weren't any better, which made for a rather ugly matchup. That is, until the very end. Washington scored with 6:44 left in the fourth quarter to take a 10-6 lead (the game's first touchdown), but Dallas quarterback Vinny Testaverde, in a desperation attempt, connected with Patrick Crayton on a 39-yard touchdown pass with only 37 seconds left to give the Cowboys a win.
Dec. 24, 2005 • Cowboys at Panthers • W, 24-20
They were going to need some help, but the Cowboys were still in the playoff hunt when they headed out to Carolina. And they did their part in this game, taking down a Panthers squad that would finish 11-5 on the season. Running back Julius Jones literally carried Dallas to the win, rushing for 194 yards and two touchdowns on a career-high 34 attempts. Alas, the Cowboys would come up short in their quest to reach the postseason as Dallas lost and Washington won the next week.
Dec. 25, 2006 • Cowboys vs. Eagles • L, 23-7
Although rolling along just fine, having won five of their last six games, the Cowboys stumbled on Christmas Day, losing to the eventual NFC East-champion Eagles in a rather lopsided battle. Dallas pulled to within 10-7 with 36 seconds left in the first half, but Philadelphia managed to get close enough to kick a field goal as the clock hit zeroes. After that, it was all Eagles in the second half as the visitors dominated in yards (426 to 201) and time of possession (37:06 to 22:54).
Dec. 25, 2010 • Cowboys at Cardinals • L, 27-26
A topsy-turvy year that saw the only midseason coaching change in team history, the Cowboys were just trying to finish strong under new head man Jason Garrett. And when Miles Austin hauled in a 37-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Stephen McGee (remember him?) with 1:41 remaining, it looked as if good tidings of cheer would be brought back to Dallas. Instead, it was lumps of coal as the Cardinals kicked a 48-yard field goal with five seconds left to steal the win.
Dec. 24, 2011 • Cowboys vs. Eagles • L, 20-7
This was the beginning of what would be three mediocre 8-8 seasons, but the Cowboys still had eyes on the playoffs when they hosted an Eagles club that would also finish the year at 8-8. So much for that. Tony Romo injured his throwing hand on the Cowboys' first possession of the game, leaving Stephen McGee to handle the quarterbacking duties for the rest of the day. Dallas didn't put a point on the board until there were seven seconds left.
Dec. 26, 2016 • Cowboys vs. Lions • W, 42-21
Now we're talking. Behind the exciting rookie pair of quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott, the Cowboys were one of the hottest teams in football, having lost only twice on the season heading into this game. And they kept the good times rolling, outscoring the Lions 21-0 in the second half. Prescott threw for 212 yards and three touchdowns while Elliott notched 80 rushing yards and two more scores himself.
Dec. 24, 2017 • Cowboys vs. Seahawks • L, 21-12
Owning a 5-6 record after 11 games, the Cowboys had promptly reeled off three straight wins to keep their playoff hopes alive. Those hopes, though, were largely dashed in this one as Dallas just couldn't get into the end zone. The Cowboys held Seattle to only 136 total yards of offense and owned the time of possession, 32:50 to 27:10, but three turnovers proved costly. In the end, Dan Bailey's four field goals, two of which were from 51 yards, just weren't enough.
Dec. 26, 2021 • Cowboys vs. Washington Football Team • W, 56-14
When these two met, the Cowboys were headed back to the playoffs for the first time in three years, while the Washington Football Team was already out of contention. And it showed in the final score. Dallas jumped on the visitors early, scoring 21 unanswered points in the first quarter, which included a 40-yard pick-6 from defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence. Dak Prescott did his part as well, throwing for 330 yards and four touchdowns in a walk-in-the-park victory.
Dec. 24, 2022 • Cowboys vs. Eagles • W, 40-34
This was a showdown of the highest order as the 10-4 Cowboys hosted the 13-1 Eagles. And the game lived up to its billing. Down 34-27 with 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Dallas rallied, starting with a Dak Prescott to CeeDee Lamb 7-yard touchdown pass to even the score. Brett Maher then kicked field goals of 48 and 26 yards in the final two-plus minutes to seal the win. Lamb would actually have two scoring catches and a game-high 120 receiving yards on the day.
Dec. 24, 2023 • Cowboys at Dolphins • L, 22-20
Their second season in a row playing on Christmas Eve, the Cowboys' result this time was a lot more naughty than nice. Both Dallas and Miami were 10-4 heading into this one and would eventually reach the playoffs, but it would be the host Dolphins who came out on top. The Cowboys had rallied from a 19-10 deficit to take 20-19 lead with 3:33 left in the game, thanks to a Brandin Cooks touchdown catch. However, Miami would then work the clock to perfection, kicking a chip-shot 29-yard field goal as time expired for the win.
