Final2021 Week 16

AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX

Washington Commanders vs Dallas Cowboys, Week 16 2021

Washington Commanders

Away

14

Dallas Cowboys

HomeWon

56

Scoring by quarter
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Commanders070714
Cowboys21217756

WAS 14DAL 56 Final

  • Passing leader

    Dak Prescott

    DAL · QB

    31.3PPR pts

    28/39, 330 YDS, 4 TD

  • Top fantasy scorer

    Dalton Schultz

    DAL · TE

    22.2PPR pts

    8 REC, 82 YDS, 1 TD

  • Commanders leader

    Antonio Gibson

    WAS · RB

    13.8PPR pts

    6 ATT, 29 YDS, 2 REC, 29 REC YDS, 1 REC TD

  • Defensive playmaker

    DeMarcus Lawrence

    DAL

    1 INT, 1 TD, 1 SACK, 2 TKL

Cowboys 56, Commanders 14: Dallas leads from start to finish

Dallas led 42–7 at halftime and outscored Washington 14–7 after the break to win 56–14. The Cowboys finished with a 497–257 edge in total offense and averaged 6.8 yards per play.

The gap showed up everywhere. The Commanders went 3-for-13 on third down and committed two turnovers, while the Cowboys finished without a giveaway.

The two teams meet again in Week 18 of 2026. If you roster anyone from either side, run the start/sit call in Redraft Command and it will weigh your lineup, your opponent and your league scoring, not only the player rankings.

Key advantages

  • +2.3 yards/play DAL 6.8 · WAS 4.5
  • +2 turnover margin DAL 0 turnovers
  • +240 total yards DAL 497 · WAS 257

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

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Why the Cowboys Won

Dallas won the efficiency, turnover, third-down, and time of possession battles.

Team stats comparison, Commanders vs Cowboys
CommandersStatCowboys
4.5Yards per play6.8
2Turnovers0
257Total yards497
Other team stats
57Plays73
23%Third-down conversion67%
28:29Time of possession31:31

Scoring Summary

The Cowboys scored eight touchdowns; the Commanders scored two touchdowns.

Scoring plays, Commanders vs Cowboys
TimeTeamPlayWASDAL
1st quarter
7:42DALDak Prescott → Ezekiel Elliott, 5-yard TD Takes leadGreg Zuerlein XP07
3:08DALDak Prescott → Dalton Schultz, 9-yard TD Extends leadGreg Zuerlein XP014
2:17DALDeMarcus Lawrence 40-yard interception return TD Extends leadGreg Zuerlein XP021
2nd quarter
14:45WASTaylor Heinicke → Antonio Gibson, 8-yard TDJoey Slye XP721
10:34DALEzekiel Elliott 11-yard TD run Extends leadGreg Zuerlein XP728
2:31DALDak Prescott → Terence Steele, 1-yard TD Extends leadGreg Zuerlein XP735
0:05DALDak Prescott → Amari Cooper, 13-yard TD Extends leadGreg Zuerlein XP742
3rd quarter
6:06DALCowboys TD Extends leadGreg Zuerlein XP749
4th quarter
14:16DALCooper Rush → Malik Turner, 9-yard TD Extends leadGreg Zuerlein XP756
2:46WASKyle Allen → John Bates, 13-yard TDJoey Slye XP1456

Fantasy Points: Commanders vs Cowboys, Week 16 2021

Fantasy leaders

  1. Dak PrescottDALQB30.3 PTSQB3
  2. Dalton SchultzDALTE22.2 PTSTE2
  3. Amari CooperDALWR21.5 PTSWR9
  4. Ezekiel ElliottDALRB17.2 PTSRB11

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
PlayerFPTSFINCMP/ATTPass YDSTDINTRush ATTRush YDSRush TDRateStart/Sit
Dak PrescottDALQB30.3QB328/39330404210131.4Start/Sit →
Taylor HeinickeWASQB6.7QB307/22121121-1028.8
Cooper RushDALQB6.8QB292/37010200149.3
Kyle AllenWASQB6.7QB318/106710———127.9Start/Sit →

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
PlayerFPTSFINPOSRush ATTRush YDSRush TDTGTRECRec YDSRec TDStart/Sit
Dalton SchultzDALTE22.2TE2TE———98821Start/Sit →
Amari CooperDALWR21.5WR9WR———117851
Ezekiel ElliottDALRB17.2RB11RB93711151
Malik TurnerDALWR17.2WR18WR———33821
Antonio GibsonWASRB13.8RB18RB629042291
John BatesWASTE11.5TE7TE———32451Start/Sit →
CeeDee LambDALWR10.4WR46WR1-2054660Start/Sit →
Michael GallupDALWR7.3WR61WR———52530
Dyami BrownWASWR7.3WR64WR———22530Start/Sit →
Tony PollardDALRB7.0RB42RB834032160Start/Sit →
Terry McLaurinWASWR7.0WR66WR———63400Start/Sit →
Corey ClementDALRB3.8RB50RB4180————
Jaret PattersonWASRB3.3RB59RB9330————
DeAndre CarterWASWR3.0WR94WR11502150
Dax MilneWASWR2.4WR97WR———11140
Adam HumphriesWASWR2.4WR96WR———6240
Jonathan WilliamsWASRB2.1RB67RB3902120
Cedrick WilsonDALWR2.0WR100WR———32100
Ricky Seals-JonesWASTE0.6TE52TE———11-40
Cam SimsWASWR0.0—WR———3000

Fantasy Usage

Washington Commanders

Snap Share

  1. Terry McLaurinWR55 snaps92%
  2. John BatesTE45 snaps75%
  3. Adam HumphriesWR40 snaps67%
  4. Cam SimsWR37 snaps62%
  5. Ricky Seals-JonesTE27 snaps45%

Target Share30 targets

  1. Adam Humphries20%, 6 targets
  2. Terry McLaurin20%, 6 targets
  3. Antonio Gibson13%, 4 targets
  4. Cam Sims10%, 3 targets
  5. John Bates10%, 3 targets
  6. Other27%, 8 targets

Carry Share20 carries

  1. Jaret Patterson45%, 9 carries
  2. Antonio Gibson30%, 6 carries
  3. Jonathan Williams15%, 3 carries
  4. Taylor Heinicke5%, 1 carries
  5. DeAndre Carter5%, 1 carries

Dallas Cowboys

Snap Share

  1. Dalton SchultzTE55 snaps75%
  2. CeeDee LambWR54 snaps74%
  3. Amari CooperWR52 snaps71%
  4. Michael GallupWR48 snaps66%
  5. Ezekiel ElliottRB42 snaps58%

Target Share40 targets

  1. Amari Cooper28%, 11 targets
  2. Dalton Schultz23%, 9 targets
  3. Michael Gallup13%, 5 targets
  4. CeeDee Lamb13%, 5 targets
  5. Cedrick Wilson8%, 3 targets
  6. Other18%, 7 targets

Carry Share28 carries

  1. Ezekiel Elliott32%, 9 carries
  2. Tony Pollard29%, 8 carries
  3. Dak Prescott14%, 4 carries
  4. Corey Clement14%, 4 carries
  5. Cooper Rush7%, 2 carries
  6. Other4%, 1 carries
View full usage tableHide full usage table
Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
PlayerSNAPSSNAP %TGTTGT %CAR
Terry McLaurinWASWR5592%620%0
Dalton SchultzDALTE5575%923%0
John BatesWASTE4575%310%0
CeeDee LambDALWR5474%513%1
Amari CooperDALWR5271%1128%0
Adam HumphriesWASWR4067%620%0
Michael GallupDALWR4866%513%0
Cam SimsWASWR3762%310%0
Ezekiel ElliottDALRB4258%13%9
Ricky Seals-JonesWASTE2745%13%0
Jonathan WilliamsWASRB2440%27%3
Antonio GibsonWASRB2237%413%6
Cedrick WilsonDALWR2636%38%0
Tony PollardDALRB2534%38%8
Jaret PattersonWASRB1525%00%9
Jeremy SprinkleDALTE1723%00%0
Sean McKeonDALTE1723%00%0
DeAndre CarterWASWR1322%27%1
Dyami BrownWASWR1322%27%0
Malik TurnerDALWR1318%38%0
Dax MilneWASWR712%13%0
Corey ClementDALRB710%00%4
Sammis ReyesWASTE23%00%0

Fantasy Points vs Expected

Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.

  • Biggest overperformer+12.1Malik Turner17.2 PTS vs 5.1 xFP
  • Biggest underperformer−7.7Adam Humphries2.4 PTS vs 10.1 xFP
  • Highest expected volume19.7 xFPDak Prescott31.3 PTS scored
Usage and expected fantasy points
PlayerPTSxFPvs xFPSnap%UsageRte%Pass attCarCar%TgtTgt%
Dak PrescottDAL · QB31.319.7+11.684%39 att—39414%00%
Amari CooperDAL · WR21.518.5+3.071%27% tgt—000%1127%
Dalton SchultzDAL · TE22.215.2+7.075%22% tgt—000%922%
Antonio GibsonWAS · RB13.810.6+3.237%30% car—0630%413%
Taylor HeinickeWAS · QB6.710.3−3.672%22 att—2215%00%
Tony PollardDAL · RB7.010.2−3.234%29% car—0829%37%
Adam HumphriesWAS · WR2.410.1−7.767%20% tgt—000%620%
Terry McLaurinWAS · WR7.010.1−3.192%20% tgt—000%620%
CeeDee LambDAL · WR10.49.1+1.374%12% tgt—014%512%
Michael GallupDAL · WR7.38.4−1.166%12% tgt—000%512%
Ezekiel ElliottDAL · RB17.27.5+9.758%32% car—0932%12%
Jaret PattersonWAS · RB3.35.8−2.525%45% car—0945%00%
Jonathan WilliamsWAS · RB2.15.3−3.240%15% car—0315%27%
Cam SimsWAS · WR0.05.1−5.162%10% tgt—000%310%
Cedrick Wilson Jr.DAL · WR3.05.1−2.136%7% tgt—000%37%
John BatesWAS · TE12.55.1+7.475%10% tgt—000%310%
Malik TurnerDAL · WR17.25.1+12.118%7% tgt—000%37%
Kyle AllenWAS · QB6.74.4+2.328%10 att—1000%00%
DeAndre CarterWAS · WR3.04.0−1.022%7% tgt—015%27%
Dyami BrownWAS · WR7.33.4+3.922%7% tgt—000%27%
Cooper RushDAL · QB6.82.6+4.216%3 att—327%00%
Corey ClementDAL · RB1.82.6−0.810%14% car—0414%00%
Dax MilneWAS · WR2.41.7+0.712%3% tgt—000%13%
Ricky Seals-JonesWAS · TE0.61.7−1.145%3% tgt—000%13%
Terence SteeleDAL · —7.11.7+5.4—2% tgt—000%12%

Team totals: Commanders 30 targets and 20 carries; Cowboys 41 targets and 28 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts are from the weekly player logs (Sleeper), and include plays wiped out by penalties. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2021 season: 1.68 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.64 per carry and 0.44 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Taylor Heinicke

WAS · QB · 6.7 pts on 10.3 expected

7 of 22 passing for 121 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions; 1 carry for -1 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 10.3 expected.

Dak Prescott Ran hot

DAL · QB · 31.3 pts on 19.7 expected

28 of 39 passing for 330 yards, 4 touchdowns; 4 carries for 21 yards.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 19.7 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Dak Prescott →

Antonio Gibson

WAS · RB · 13.8 pts on 10.6 expected

4 targets (13% of the team's), 2 catches for 29 yards and 1 touchdown; 6 carries (30% of the team's) for 29 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 10.6 expected.

Adam Humphries Unlucky

WAS · WR · 2.4 pts on 10.1 expected

6 targets (20% of the team's), 2 catches for 4 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 10.1 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Amari Cooper

DAL · WR · 21.5 pts on 18.5 expected

11 targets (27% of the team's), 7 catches for 85 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 18.5 expected.

Dalton Schultz Ran hot

DAL · TE · 22.2 pts on 15.2 expected

9 targets (22% of the team's), 8 catches for 82 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 15.2 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Dalton Schultz →

Ezekiel Elliott Ran hot

DAL · RB · 17.2 pts on 7.5 expected

1 target (2% of the team's), 1 catch for 5 yards and 1 touchdown; 9 carries (32% of the team's) for 37 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 7.5 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Cam Sims Unlucky

WAS · WR · 0.0 pts on 5.1 expected

3 targets (10% of the team's), 0 catches for 0 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 5.1 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Stock Up, Stock Down

Washington Commanders

  • Stock up: Jonathan Williams led the backfield with 40% of the snaps after trailing Antonio Gibson before this game.
  • Stock up: Cam Sims played 62% of the snaps, up from a 23% season average.
  • Stock up: John Bates played 75% of the snaps, up from a 37% season average.

Dallas Cowboys

  • Stock down: Michael Gallup played 66% of the snaps, down from a 81% season average.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2021 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Commanders defense and Cowboys defense
Points allowed toCommanders DCowboys D
QBs22.115.6
RBs21.919.6
WRs36.033.3
TEs12.914.2

Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.

How the Game Swung

Dallas opened at 77% win probability and passed 98% before halftime on the way to the win.

Cowboys win probability

Cowboys win probability by game minuteCowboys started at 77%, stood at >99% at halftime and finished at 100%, across 10 scoring plays.Q1Q2Q3Q4100%50%0%

Key Swings

  1. +14Prescott → Elliott, 5-yd TD76% → 89%Q1 7:42
  2. +7Prescott → Schultz, 9-yd TD89% → 97%Q1 3:08
  3. +3Lawrence 40-yd pick-six97% → 99%Q1 2:17
  4. −3Heinicke → Gibson, 8-yd TD99% → 97%Q2 14:45
  5. +2Elliott 11-yd TD run97% → 99%Q2 10:34

Swing in Cowboys win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Commanders vs Cowboys
Washington CommandersMeasureDallas Cowboys
57Plays73
65%Pass rate62%
4.6Yds / dropback8.6
4.3Yds / carry3.9
3/13Third downs10/15

Efficiency edge Dallas ran 16 more plays and gained 4.0 more yards per dropback.

  • Top targets
  • WAS Humphries 20% · McLaurin 20% · Gibson 13%
  • DAL Cooper 27% · Schultz 22% · Lamb 12%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Commanders vs Cowboys
ResultWASDAL
Touchdowns26
Field goals00
Punts74
Turnovers20
Turnovers on downs10

DAL turnover edge: +2

  • The Cowboys opened the scoring on their second possession, a 9-play, 71-yard drive that ended in a touchdown.
  • The Cowboys scored touchdowns on two of their first three drives.
All 24 possessions, drive by drive
Drive chart
TeamStartPlaysYardsTimeResult
DALQ1 15:00673:27Punt
WASQ1 11:33100:06Interception
DALQ1 11:279713:45Touchdown
WASQ1 7:425201:34Punt
DALQ1 6:088743:00Touchdown
WASQ1 3:08330:51Interception
WASQ1 2:175752:32Touchdown
DALQ2 14:458754:11Touchdown
WASQ2 10:345194:05Punt
DALQ2 6:299803:58Touchdown
WASQ2 2:314220:49Punt
DALQ2 1:4212891:37Touchdown
WASQ2 0:051-10:05End of half
WASQ3 15:00301:09Punt
DALQ3 13:513-61:57Punt
WASQ3 11:54341:41Punt
DALQ3 10:136172:12Punt
WASQ3 8:013-51:55Punt
WASQ3 6:067543:51Downs
DALQ3 2:155792:59Touchdown
WASQ4 14:165202:49Punt
DALQ4 11:27391:39Punt
WASQ4 9:4812617:02Touchdown
DALQ4 2:46492:46End of game
About these numbers

The Cowboys' interception touchdown is counted as a Commanders interception, not as a Cowboys possession. The Cowboys' return touchdown is counted as a Commanders possession, not as a Cowboys possession. Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.

Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.

Commanders vs Cowboys Head-to-Head

The Commanders and Cowboys first met in 1960 and have played 133 times since. They have been NFC East rivals since 1970.

All-time series
82–49–2Cowboys lead, 133 meetings since 1960
Postseason
2–0Commanders won in 1972 and 1982
Largest Commanders win
35–72005
Largest Cowboys win
56–142021

Since 2021

9–2 Cowboys lead

11 meetings since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.

Oldest to newest. DAL = Cowboys win, WAS = Commanders win, outlined = this game.

2026 Meetings

  • Week 18 Cowboys at Commanders Upcoming

Recent Meetings

Season to Date (Through Week 18)

The 2021 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Commanders vs Cowboys
CommandersStatCowboys
7-10Record12-5
19.7Points per game31.2
323.6Yards per game407.0
5.1Yards per play6.0
25.5Points allowed per game21.1
359.3Yards allowed per game351.0

Commanders vs Cowboys Odds and Results

How this game finished against the betting lines.

Spread
DAL −10Cowboys covered by 32
Total
46Over: 70 points scored (by 24)

Expected vs Actual Scoring

Implied team totals against the actual score
TeamImpliedActualDifference
Cowboys28.056+28.0
Commanders18.014−4.0

The Cowboys beat their implied total and the Commanders fell short of theirs; the Fantasy tab has the player lines behind it.

Betting Trends

Last 2 meetings: Cowboys 2–0 ATS, overs and unders 1–1.

Each team's 2021 season through this game. Over/under is overs first.

Washington Commanders

Against the spread
5–9–1
Over/under
7–8
ATS as favorite
1–2
ATS as underdog
4–7–1
ATS on the road
3–4–1

Dallas Cowboys

Against the spread
12–3
Over/under
7–8
ATS as favorite
9–2
ATS as underdog
3–1
ATS at home
5–2

Lines: ESPN's consensus, captured at kickoff. Individual sportsbooks varied.

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Betting availability depends on your state.

Commanders vs Cowboys Fantasy Outlook for 2026

One meeting is left on the 2026 schedule: Week 18 in Washington. Here's how to decide who to play in your league.

Keep Exploring

2021 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Commanders vs Cowboys Game FAQ

Who won the 2021 Commanders vs Cowboys Week 16 game?

The Dallas Cowboys beat the Washington Commanders 56–14 in Week 16 of the 2021 season. The game was played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX, on December 26, 2021. See the Cowboys' 2021 schedule.

What was the final score of Commanders vs Cowboys?

The final score was Cowboys 56, Commanders 14. The Cowboys led 42–7 at halftime, and the second half went Commanders 7, Cowboys 14.

What happened in the Commanders vs Cowboys game?

Dallas led 42–7 at halftime and outscored Washington 14–7 after the break to win 56–14. The Cowboys finished with a 497–257 edge in total offense and averaged 6.8 yards per play. Dak Prescott led all players with 28 of 39 passing for 330 yards and 4 touchdowns, plus 4 carries for 21 rushing yards. The Commanders committed 2 turnovers, the Cowboys none.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Commanders vs Cowboys?

Dak Prescott led the game with 30.3 PPR fantasy points, the QB3 of Week 16, on 28 of 39 passing for 330 yards and 4 touchdowns, plus 4 carries for 21 rushing yards. Dalton Schultz was next with 22.2 (TE2). See Dak Prescott's 2021 game log.

Who led Commanders vs Cowboys in passing, rushing and receiving?

Dak Prescott (DAL) led all passers with 28 of 39 for 330 yards and 4 touchdowns. Ezekiel Elliott (DAL) led in rushing with 9 carries for 37 yards and a touchdown. Amari Cooper (DAL) led in receiving with 7 catches for 85 yards and a touchdown.

How many fantasy points did Dak Prescott score against the Commanders?

Dak Prescott scored 30.3 fantasy points against the Commanders in Week 16 of the 2021 season, the same in PPR, half-PPR and standard scoring because he had no catches, on 28 of 39 passing for 330 yards and 4 touchdowns, plus 4 carries for 21 rushing yards.

Who outperformed and underperformed expected fantasy points in Commanders vs Cowboys?

Malik Turner outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 17.2 PPR points on 5.1 xFP (+12.1). Adam Humphries fell furthest short, with 2.4 points on 10.1 xFP (−7.7). A gap either way reflects efficiency and touchdowns in one game; it is not a forecast. For matchups ahead, see fantasy points allowed by position.

How did the Cowboys beat the Commanders?

The Cowboys beat the Commanders 56–14 because they averaged 6.8 yards per play to 4.5, won the turnover battle 2–0, and outgained them 497–257.

Which team won the turnover battle in Commanders vs Cowboys?

The Cowboys won the turnover battle 2–0: the Commanders gave the ball away 2 times and the Cowboys not at all. The Cowboys won the game.

What is the all-time Commanders vs Cowboys record?

The Cowboys lead the all-time series 82–49–2 across 133 meetings since 1960, including a 0–2 record in the postseason.

When did the Commanders and Cowboys last play before this game?

Before Week 16 of 2021, they last met in the 2021 season on December 12, 2021, when the Cowboys beat the Commanders 27–20.

Have the Commanders and Cowboys met in the playoffs?

Yes, 2 times, most recently in the 1982 playoffs. The Commanders are 2–0 against the Cowboys in the postseason.

What was the closing spread for Commanders vs Cowboys?

The consensus closing spread at kickoff was Cowboys −10, making the Dallas Cowboys 10-point favorites, with a closing total of 46. That implied about 28.0 points for the Cowboys and 18.0 for the Commanders.

Did Commanders vs Cowboys go over or under the total?

The game went over. The consensus closing total was 46, and the teams combined for 70 points, 24 over the number.

Who covered the spread in Commanders vs Cowboys?

The Cowboys covered by 32 against the closing line of Cowboys −10. The final margin was 42 points.