Week 17 of the 2025 NFL season started on Christmas Day with an NFC East showdown between the Cowboys and Commanders. Dallas jumped throughout Washington early however needed to maintain on after permitting a number of large performs.
Our NFL Nation reporters reacted to all of the motion, answering lingering questions popping out of every sport and detailing the whole lot you want to know for each staff. Let’s get to it.
Atone for the motion: Field rating | Recap
Cowboys
Does ending with a non-losing document matter? It does to Brian Schottenheimer, who has continuously referred to this being the primary yr of this system. The Cowboys are 7-8-1 with their Week 18 finale in opposition to the New York Giants looming, and Schottenheimer has given no indication that the Cowboys plan to take a seat regulars equivalent to Dak Prescott to keep away from harm. The quarterback has stated he desires to play and can battle to stay within the lineup. If the Cowboys lose to the Giants — whether or not they play their predominant guys or not — will probably be the primary time Dallas has had consecutive seasons with a shedding document since three straight 5-11 finishes from 2000 to 2002.
Key stat to know: The Cowboys transformed 4 of 9 third downs within the first half and all 4 probabilities on fourth down. They completed with six — essentially the most fourth-down conversions the Cowboys have had in any sport over the previous 45 seasons. The final staff to have 4 first-half fourth-down conversions was the 2006 New Orleans Saints, who additionally had 4 in opposition to the Giants. The Cowboys had 17 first downs within the first half, whereas the Commanders ran simply 18 performs. Dallas added two extra fourth-down conversions within the fourth quarter. — Todd Archer
Subsequent sport: at Giants
Commanders
Will Dan Quinn finish the season on the new seat? There was no indication that Quinn’s job is in jeopardy, however even when he would not finish the season on the new seat, his future job safety might be a subject coming into subsequent season. Washington has misplaced 12 of its previous 13 video games — one yr after profitable 12 within the common season. However a lineup depleted due to accidents has been the primary wrongdoer to Washington’s season, giving Quinn and his employees a reprieve. Nevertheless, Quinn may have a choice to make at defensive coordinator. He took over playcalling duties from Joe Whitt Jr. in Week 11. A number of gamers have stated Quinn hasn’t misplaced the locker room, and regardless of being undermanned in opposition to Dallas — beginning their No. 3 QB in Josh Johnson — the Commanders made it a sport thanks partially to robust performances from operating again Jacory Croskey-Merritt (105 yards dashing) and defensive sort out Jer’Zhan Newton (three sacks).
Largest gap within the sport plan: Third- and fourth-down protection. Dallas transformed 8 of 19 third downs, which wasn’t horrible. There was one 14-yard achieve on third-and-18 that arrange a fourth-and-short. That is the place the Commanders faltered, as Dallas transformed all of its fourth-down makes an attempt, resulting in 17 factors. Dallas was capable of run 87 performs — 19 greater than every other staff has had in opposition to the Commanders this season. — John Keim
Subsequent sport: at Eagles
