ARLINGTON, Texas — The rivalry lived up to the hype. In a game that featured over 900 yards of offense, six lead changes, and a frantic fourth quarter, the Dallas Cowboys came up just short in a 43–41 shootout loss to Washington on Sunday.
Dak Prescott and Joe Milton III combined for over 400 yards passing and four touchdowns, while George Pickens delivered a career performance. But in a game where every possession mattered, Dallas’ mistakes proved just enough to swing momentum in favor of Washington, handing the Cowboys their second loss of the season.
Quarterback Carousel: Milton Steady, Prescott Risky
Dallas split time between rookie Joe Milton III and veteran Dak Prescott — and both left fingerprints on the outcome.
- Milton: 17 of 21, 201 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs (138.2 rating) — efficient, mistake-free, and sharp in rhythm.
- Prescott: 13 of 21, 210 yards, 2 TDs, 3 INTs — big-play flashes but three costly turnovers tilted the balance.
Milton’s poise kept the Cowboys in it early, but Prescott’s rollercoaster outing set the tone for a wild finish.
Pickens’ Breakout Performance
Wide receiver George Pickens turned the rivalry game into his personal stage. He torched Washington’s secondary with 10 catches for 101 yards and two touchdowns, including a contested grab in traffic that pulled Dallas within one score late.
CeeDee Lamb added 100 yards on 4 receptions, while tight end Jake Ferguson chipped in 78 yards. Rookie Jalen Tolbert (52 yards, 1 TD) and speedster KaVontae Turpin (49 yards, 1 TD) rounded out a passing attack that kept Washington’s defense on its heels.
Defense Bends, Breaks
Dallas’ defense forced three interceptions, but it wasn’t enough to slow down Washington’s aerial attack.
- Malik Hooker: 8 tackles, 2 INTs, 38 return yards
- Damone Clark: 4 tackles, 1 INT
- Donovan Wilson: 9 tackles (team-high)
Despite the takeaways, Washington piled up 403 passing yards and made critical plays in the fourth quarter to keep Dallas chasing.
Fourth-Quarter Fireworks
The final frame delivered the drama fans expect in this rivalry. Dallas trailed by two entering the fourth, but Washington struck quickly with a field goal and touchdown to stretch the lead to 10. Prescott responded with a touchdown strike to Pickens, keeping hope alive, but the defense couldn’t get the final stop it needed.
As time ran out, Washington escaped AT&T Stadium with a narrow 43–41 win, leaving fans buzzing about one of the season’s most entertaining games.
By the Numbers
- Total Yards: Washington 464, Dallas 458
- Turnovers: 3 each
- Red Zone: Dallas 6/6, Washington 2/2
- Lead Changes: 6
What It Means
At 4 – 3, Dallas remains a contender, but this game raises questions about quarterback strategy and defensive consistency. The Cowboys proved they can trade blows in a shootout — but against NFC East rivals, one mistake too many can flip the outcome.
For Washington, it’s a statement win in hostile territory. For Dallas, it’s a bitter reminder that in the NFC East, nothing comes easy.
An instant classic in every sense.
