The Cowboys made the key plays to beat the Washington Commanders in Week 17, going 6-of-6 on fourth down tries.
Dallas was six-of-six on 4th down in the win at Washington, becoming the first NFL team since 1991 to convert 100% of its 4th downs in a game on six-or-more attempts.
— Dallas Cowboys Public Relations (@DallasCowboysPR) December 25, 2025
The Dallas Cowboys gave their fans a wonderful Christmas gift with a 30-23 win over the Washington Commanders. Even fans who were hoping for the team to lose out for a better draft pick can’t be too upset with a victory over the rival franchise.
Despite dominating statistically and controlling the game the entire way, the Cowboys didn’t play great in the win. Quarterback Dak Prescott threw for 307 yards, yet he wasn’t sharp. The offense was able to put up 30 points because the Cowboys made all the plays in the biggest moments as Brian Schottenheimer finally found his aggressive gene.
The first-time head coach had been one of the more conservative coaches in the NFL leading up to the game, but his Christmas gift to Cowboys fans was to go for it more on fourth downs. And it worked. Prescott and the offense answered the bell going an incredible 6-6 on fourth down tries, guiding the team to the win.
Even bolder was Schottenheimer going for it twice where the Cowboys were in their own territory, and another from midfield. The gambles paid off, especially in the first half, where the Cowboys used the fourth downs to keep drives alive and gave themselves a lead they would never relinquish.
On their first possession, the offense converted a 4th-and-1 from their own 44-yard line that led to an eventual to a six-yard pass score from Prescott to tight end Jake Ferguson. That gave the Cowboys a 7-0 lead and set the tone for how Schottenheimer was going to approach the game.
The next drive, the Cowboys went 3-for-3 on fourth downs, which included a passing conversion from Prescott to wide receiver Jalen Tolbert, who hadn’t played since Thanksgiving, and a tough, grinding 4th-and-1 run from running back Javonte Williams to set up the offense with a first and goal. Three plays later, Williams finished the possession off with a four-yard rushing touchdown.
Converting fourth downs is big, but turning those tries into touchdowns is even bigger. On the Cowboys’ first two drives, they were 4-4 on fourth down and scored 14 points. It forced the Commanders to play catch-up all game, something the Cowboys didn’t feel their opponent was capable of with a backup QB.
That’s why going for it on fourth down matters, it can pay off in a big way. This is how many teams play now on offense, with an aggressive mindset. Being scared to attempt these was a big part of what has been missing from Schottenheimer’s coaching bag, until Week 17.
The Cowboys’ last fourth-down conversion came at another key moment in the game. They were up 27-20 in the fourth quarter and were facing a fourth-and-two at their own 45-yard line with 6:31 left to play. Prescott found Tolbert once again to move the chains, which eventually set up kicker Brandon Aubrey for a 51-yard field goal to give the Cowboys a 10-point lead with just under four minutes remaining.
That was the sixth conversion on fourth down, and it essentially sealed the win for the Cowboys. It took Schottenheimer far too long to remember that he has a great QB and elite offensive weapons offense, coupled with a horrendous defense that can’t stop anyone, so going for it more would be advantageous.
In all the big moments against the Commanders, Schottenheimer got it right. It was a Christmas miracle that hopefully carries over into the 2026 season for Schottenheimer and the Cowboys.
Who says nothing can be learned in a lost season?
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