Final2024 Week 18

AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX

Washington Commanders vs Dallas Cowboys, Week 18 2024

Washington Commanders

AwayWon

23

Dallas Cowboys

Home

19

Scoring by quarter
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Commanders0371323
Cowboys3331019

WAS 23DAL 19 Final

  • Passing leader

    Trey Lance

    DAL · QB

    12.4PPR pts

    20/34, 244 YDS

  • Top fantasy scorer

    Terry McLaurin

    WAS · WR

    20.2PPR pts

    8 REC, 62 YDS, 1 TD

  • Cowboys leader

    Rico Dowdle

    DAL · RB

    16.4PPR pts

    22 ATT, 72 YDS, 1 TD, 2 REC, 12 REC YDS

  • Defensive playmaker

    Micah Parsons

    DAL

    2.5 SACK, 4 TKL

Commanders 23, Cowboys 19: Washington rallies from 3 down at halftime

Washington erased a 6–3 halftime deficit, outscoring Dallas 20–13 after the break to win 23–19. Dallas outgained the Commanders 378–269.

The Cowboys went 7-for-17 on third down.

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

  • +5% third-down rate WAS 46% · DAL 41%

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

Got a Commander or Cowboy on your fantasy team?

Check their next matchup with the Start/Sit Tool, compare their value in the Fantasy Trade Calculator, or connect your league for personalized advice in Redraft Command.

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Why the Commanders Won

Washington won the third-down battle.

Team stats comparison, Commanders vs Cowboys
CommandersStatCowboys
46%Third-down conversion41%
Other team stats
269Total yards378
4.9Yards per play5.0
55Plays75
1Turnovers0
22:57Time of possession37:03

Scoring Summary

The Commanders scored three touchdowns and one field goal; the Cowboys scored one touchdown and four field goals.

Scoring plays, Commanders vs Cowboys
TimeTeamPlayWASDAL
1st quarter
8:20DALBrandon Aubrey 34-yard FG Takes lead03
2nd quarter
12:41DALBrandon Aubrey 41-yard FG Extends lead06
4:40WASZane Gonzalez 47-yard FG36
3rd quarter
8:52DALBrandon Aubrey 36-yard FG Extends lead39
5:07WASMarcus Mariota → Zach Ertz, 5-yard TD Takes leadZane Gonzalez XP109
4th quarter
13:53DALBrandon Aubrey 22-yard FG Takes lead1012
11:18WASMarcus Mariota 5-yard TD run Takes lead2-pt try failed1612
7:02DALRico Dowdle 2-yard TD run Takes leadBrandon Aubrey XP1619
0:03WASMarcus Mariota → Terry McLaurin, 5-yard TD Game winnerZane Gonzalez XP2319

Fantasy Points: Commanders vs Cowboys, Week 18 2024

Fantasy leaders

  1. Marcus MariotaWASQB26.0 PTSQB6
  2. Terry McLaurinWASWR20.2 PTSWR11
  3. Rico DowdleDALRB16.4 PTSRB9
  4. Zach ErtzWASTE15.4 PTSTE7

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
PlayerFPTSFINCMP/ATTPass YDSTDINTRush ATTRush YDSRush TDRateStart/Sit
Trey LanceDALQB12.4QB2020/3424400626081.0Start/Sit →
Marcus MariotaWASQB26.0QB615/18161205561141.0Start/Sit →
Jayden DanielsWASQB4.2QB326/123800427056.9Start/Sit →

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
PlayerFPTSFINPOSRush ATTRush YDSRush TDTGTRECRec YDSRec TDStart/Sit
Terry McLaurinWASWR20.2WR11WR———128621Start/Sit →
Rico DowdleDALRB16.4RB9RB2272132120Start/Sit →
Zach ErtzWASTE15.4TE7TE———55441
Jalen TolbertDALWR13.8WR29WR———64980Start/Sit →
KaVontae TurpinDALWR8.8WR52WR15053530Start/Sit →
Olamide ZaccheausWASWR7.1WR63WR———52510Start/Sit →
Dyami BrownWASWR5.4WR72WR18043160Start/Sit →
Austin EkelerWASRB5.2RB41RB312022200Start/Sit →
Jonathan MingoDALWR4.4WR83WR———22240Start/Sit →
Brandin CooksDALWR4.0WR84WR1-5093150Start/Sit →
Deuce VaughnDALRB3.7RB55RB6370————
Luke SchoonmakerDALTE3.6TE39TE———22160Start/Sit →
Ryan FlournoyDALWR3.4WR91WR———22140Start/Sit →
Jake FergusonDALTE3.2TE41TE———42120Start/Sit →
Brian RobinsonWASRB2.6RB61RB51001160
John BatesWASTE0.0—TE———1000Start/Sit →

Fantasy Usage

Washington Commanders

Snap Share

  1. Zach ErtzTE53 snaps91%
  2. Terry McLaurinWR53 snaps91%
  3. Olamide ZaccheausWR40 snaps69%
  4. Austin EkelerRB35 snaps60%
  5. Dyami BrownWR25 snaps43%

Target Share30 targets

  1. Terry McLaurin40%, 12 targets
  2. Zach Ertz17%, 5 targets
  3. Olamide Zaccheaus17%, 5 targets
  4. Dyami Brown13%, 4 targets
  5. Austin Ekeler7%, 2 targets
  6. Other7%, 2 targets

Carry Share18 carries

  1. Marcus Mariota28%, 5 carries
  2. Brian Robinson28%, 5 carries
  3. Jayden Daniels22%, 4 carries
  4. Austin Ekeler17%, 3 carries
  5. Dyami Brown6%, 1 carries

Dallas Cowboys

Snap Share

  1. Jalen TolbertWR56 snaps72%
  2. Brandin CooksWR54 snaps69%
  3. Rico DowdleRB52 snaps67%
  4. Jake FergusonTE46 snaps59%
  5. KaVontae TurpinWR39 snaps50%

Target Share33 targets

  1. Brandin Cooks27%, 9 targets
  2. Jalen Tolbert18%, 6 targets
  3. KaVontae Turpin15%, 5 targets
  4. Jake Ferguson12%, 4 targets
  5. Rico Dowdle9%, 3 targets
  6. Other18%, 6 targets

Carry Share36 carries

  1. Rico Dowdle61%, 22 carries
  2. Trey Lance17%, 6 carries
  3. Deuce Vaughn17%, 6 carries
  4. Brandin Cooks3%, 1 carries
  5. KaVontae Turpin3%, 1 carries
View full usage tableHide full usage table
Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
PlayerSNAPSSNAP %TGTTGT %CAR
Zach ErtzWASTE5391%517%0
Terry McLaurinWASWR5391%1240%0
Jalen TolbertDALWR5672%618%0
Brandin CooksDALWR5469%927%1
Olamide ZaccheausWASWR4069%517%0
Rico DowdleDALRB5267%39%22
Austin EkelerWASRB3560%27%3
Jake FergusonDALTE4659%412%0
KaVontae TurpinDALWR3950%515%1
Luke SchoonmakerDALTE3646%26%0
Dyami BrownWASWR2543%413%1
Brian RobinsonWASRB2340%13%5
Jonathan MingoDALWR2735%26%0
Jamison CrowderWASWR2034%00%0
Luke McCaffreyWASWR2034%00%0
John BatesWASTE1526%13%0
Brevyn Spann-FordDALTE2026%00%0
Jalen BrooksDALWR1621%00%0
Deuce VaughnDALRB1519%00%6
Ryan FlournoyDALWR79%26%0
Ben SinnottWASTE47%00%0
Jeremy McNicholsWASRB12%00%0
Chris RodriguezWASRB12%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+14.7Marcus Mariota26.0 PTS vs 11.3 xFP
  • Biggest underperformer−12.1Brandin Cooks4.0 PTS vs 16.1 xFP
  • Highest expected volume20.6 xFPTerry McLaurin20.2 PTS scored
Usage and expected fantasy points
PlayerPTSxFPvs xFPSnap%UsageRte%Pass attCarCar%TgtTgt%
Terry McLaurinWAS · WR20.220.6−0.491%40% tgt—000%1240%
Rico DowdleDAL · RB16.419.5−3.167%56% car—02256%39%
Trey LanceDAL · QB12.419.0−6.6100%34 att—34615%00%
Brandin CooksDAL · WR4.016.1−12.169%27% tgt—013%927%
Marcus MariotaWAS · QB26.011.3+14.755%18 att—18528%00%
Jalen TolbertDAL · WR13.810.3+3.572%18% tgt—000%618%
KaVontae TurpinDAL · WR8.89.2−0.450%15% tgt—013%515%
Olamide ZaccheausWAS · WR7.18.6−1.569%17% tgt—000%517%
Zach ErtzWAS · TE15.48.6+6.891%17% tgt—000%517%
Dyami BrownWAS · WR5.48.0−2.643%13% tgt—116%413%
Jayden DanielsWAS · QB4.27.9−3.745%12 att—12422%00%
Jake FergusonDAL · TE3.26.9−3.759%12% tgt—000%412%
Austin EkelerWAS · RB5.25.4−0.260%17% car—0317%27%
Brian Robinson Jr.WAS · RB2.65.0−2.440%28% car—0528%13%
Deuce VaughnDAL · RB3.73.9−0.219%15% car—0615%00%
Jonathan MingoDAL · WR4.43.4+1.035%6% tgt—000%26%
Luke SchoonmakerDAL · TE3.63.4+0.246%6% tgt—000%26%
Ryan FlournoyDAL · WR3.43.40.09%6% tgt—000%26%
Hunter LuepkeDAL · RB1.52.0−0.5—8% car—038%00%
John BatesWAS · TE0.01.7−1.726%3% tgt—000%13%

Team totals: Commanders 30 targets and 18 carries; Cowboys 33 targets and 39 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 2024 season: 1.71 PPR points per target (68% catch rate), 0.65 per carry and 0.44 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Marcus Mariota Ran hot

WAS · QB · 26.0 pts on 11.3 expected

15 of 18 passing for 161 yards, 2 touchdowns; 5 carries for 56 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 11.3 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Marcus Mariota →

Trey Lance Unlucky

DAL · QB · 12.4 pts on 19.0 expected

20 of 34 passing for 244 yards; 6 carries for 26 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 19.0 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: Trey Lance →

Terry McLaurin Volume, no payoff

WAS · WR · 20.2 pts on 20.6 expected

12 targets (40% of the team's), 8 catches for 62 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 20.6 expected.

Start/Sit: Terry McLaurin →

Olamide Zaccheaus

WAS · WR · 7.1 pts on 8.6 expected

5 targets (17% of the team's), 2 catches for 51 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 8.6 expected.

Start/Sit: Olamide Zaccheaus →

Rico Dowdle

DAL · RB · 16.4 pts on 19.5 expected

3 targets (9% of the team's), 2 catches for 12 yards; 22 carries (56% of the team's) for 72 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 19.5 expected.

Start/Sit: Rico Dowdle →

Brandin Cooks Unlucky

DAL · WR · 4.0 pts on 16.1 expected

9 targets (27% of the team's), 3 catches for 15 yards; 1 carry (3% of the team's) for -5 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 16.1 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: Brandin Cooks →

Zach Ertz Ran hot

WAS · TE · 15.4 pts on 8.6 expected

5 targets (17% of the team's), 5 catches for 44 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 8.6 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Austin Ekeler

WAS · RB · 5.2 pts on 5.4 expected

2 targets (7% of the team's), 2 catches for 20 yards; 3 carries (17% of the team's) for 12 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 5.4 expected.

Start/Sit: Austin Ekeler →

Stock Up, Stock Down

Washington Commanders

  • Stock up: Austin Ekeler led the backfield with 60% of the snaps after trailing Brian Robinson Jr. before this game.
  • Stock up: Olamide Zaccheaus played 69% of the snaps, up from a 40% season average.
  • Stock up: Zach Ertz played 91% of the snaps, up from a 65% season average.

Dallas Cowboys

  • Stock up: KaVontae Turpin played 50% of the snaps, up from a 25% season average.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2024 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Commanders defense and Cowboys defense
Points allowed toCommanders DCowboys D
QBs15.821.5
RBs22.023.8
WRs30.935.8
TEs10.89.7

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

How the Game Swung

Dallas opened at 50% win probability, climbed as high as >99%, then lost.

Cowboys win probability

Cowboys win probability by game minuteCowboys started at 50%, stood at 62% at halftime and finished at 0%, across 9 scoring plays.Q1Q2Q3Q4100%50%0%

Key Swings

  1. −33Mariota → Ertz, 5-yd TD78% → 45%Q3 5:07
  2. +18Aubrey 22-yd FG44% → 62%Q4 13:53
  3. −39Mariota 5-yd TD run63% → 25%Q4 11:18
  4. +55Dowdle 2-yd TD run19% → 74%Q4 7:02
  5. −100Mariota → McLaurin, 5-yd TD>99% → <1%Q4 0:03

Swing in Cowboys win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Commanders vs Cowboys
Washington CommandersMeasureDallas Cowboys
55Plays75
67%Pass rate48%
4.2Yds / dropback6.3
6.3Yds / carry3.8
6/13Third downs7/17

Efficiency edge Washington ran 20 fewer plays but gained 2.5 more yards per carry.

  • Top targets
  • WAS McLaurin 40% · Zaccheaus 17% · Ertz 17%
  • DAL Cooks 27% · Tolbert 18% · Turpin 15%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Commanders vs Cowboys
ResultWASDAL
Touchdowns31
Field goals14
Punts54
Turnovers00
Turnovers on downs01
  • The Cowboys opened the scoring on their first possession, a 8-play, 75-yard drive that ended in a field goal.
All 21 possessions, drive by drive
Drive chart
TeamStartPlaysYardsTimeResult
WASQ1 15:003-22:12Punt
DALQ1 12:488754:28Field goal
WASQ1 8:20673:21Punt
DALQ1 4:59371:34Punt
WASQ1 3:25350:52Punt
DALQ1 2:336192:48Punt
DALQ2 14:454-12:04Field goal
WASQ2 12:414112:13Punt
DALQ2 10:28532:49Punt
WASQ2 7:399342:59Field goal
DALQ2 4:4015684:23Downs
WASQ2 0:171-10:17End of half
DALQ3 15:0012536:08Field goal
WASQ3 8:528703:45Touchdown
DALQ3 5:0715666:14Field goal
WASQ4 13:538702:35Touchdown
DALQ4 11:188704:16Touchdown
WASQ4 7:023-161:28Punt
DALQ4 5:34342:16Punt
WASQ4 3:1811913:15Touchdown
DALQ4 0:03000:03End of game
About these numbers

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 2024 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Commanders vs Cowboys
CommandersStatCowboys
12-5Record7-10
28.5Points per game20.6
369.6Yards per game327.5
5.7Yards per play5.0
23.0Points allowed per game27.5
326.9Yards allowed per game355.2

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

2024 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Commanders vs Cowboys Game FAQ

Who won the 2024 Commanders vs Cowboys Week 18 game?

The Washington Commanders beat the Dallas Cowboys 23–19 in Week 18 of the 2024 season. The game was played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX, on January 5, 2025. See the Commanders' 2024 schedule.

What was the final score of Commanders vs Cowboys?

The final score was Commanders 23, Cowboys 19. The Cowboys led 6–3 at halftime, and the second half went Commanders 20, Cowboys 13.

What happened in the Commanders vs Cowboys game?

Washington erased a 6–3 halftime deficit, outscoring Dallas 20–13 after the break to win 23–19. Dallas outgained the Commanders 378–269. Marcus Mariota led all players with 15 of 18 passing for 161 yards and 2 touchdowns, plus 5 carries for 56 rushing yards and a touchdown. The Commanders committed 1 turnover, the Cowboys none.

What was the game-winning score in Commanders vs Cowboys?

Marcus Mariota's 5-yard touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin with 0:03 left in the fourth quarter gave the Commanders a 23–19 lead they never gave up. It was the final score of the game.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Commanders vs Cowboys?

Marcus Mariota led the game with 26.0 PPR fantasy points, the QB6 of Week 18, on 15 of 18 passing for 161 yards and 2 touchdowns, plus 5 carries for 56 rushing yards and a touchdown. Terry McLaurin was next with 20.2 (WR11). See Marcus Mariota's 2024 game log.

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

Trey Lance (DAL) led all passers with 20 of 34 for 244 yards. Rico Dowdle (DAL) led in rushing with 22 carries for 72 yards and a touchdown. Jalen Tolbert (DAL) led in receiving with 4 catches for 98 yards.

How many fantasy points did Marcus Mariota score against the Cowboys?

Marcus Mariota scored 26.0 fantasy points against the Cowboys in Week 18 of the 2024 season, the same in PPR, half-PPR and standard scoring because he had no catches, on 15 of 18 passing for 161 yards and 2 touchdowns, plus 5 carries for 56 rushing yards and a touchdown.

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

Marcus Mariota outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 26.0 PPR points on 11.3 xFP (+14.7). Brandin Cooks fell furthest short, with 4.0 points on 16.1 xFP (−12.1). 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.

Who had the highest expected fantasy points in Commanders vs Cowboys?

Terry McLaurin had the most fantasy opportunity in the game, worth 20.6 expected PPR points (xFP) at league-average rates, and scored 20.2. Expected points measure the volume of a player's pass attempts, carries and targets, not how well he used them.

How did the Commanders come back to beat the Cowboys?

The Commanders' chances of winning fell as low as <1% in the fourth quarter. Marcus Mariota's 5-yard touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin in the fourth quarter was the biggest swing of the game. Marcus Mariota's 5-yard touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin then put them ahead for good.

Which team won the turnover battle in Commanders vs Cowboys?

The Cowboys won the turnover battle 1–0: the Commanders gave the ball away 1 time and the Cowboys not at all. The Commanders won the game anyway.

What was the turning point of Commanders vs Cowboys?

Marcus Mariota's 5-yard touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin with 0:03 left in the fourth quarter was the biggest swing of the game, moving the Cowboys' win probability from >99% to <1%.

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 18 of 2024, they last met in the 2024 season on November 24, 2024, when the Cowboys beat the Commanders 34–26.

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.