Washington Commanders vs Dallas Cowboys Match Player Stats (Jan 05, 2025)
The Washington Commanders vs Dallas Cowboys match player stats tell a tale of two halves at AT&T Stadium, where veteran backup Marcus Mariota engineered a second-half comeback to secure a 23-19 victory and clinch the NFC’s sixth playoff seed.
After rookie Jayden Daniels struggled through a scoreless first half, Washington head coach Dan Quinn turned to Mariota, who delivered two touchdown passes and added a rushing score to complete the comeback against his former team.
Table of Contents
Cowboys Defense Dominates Early Behind Parsons
Dallas controlled the first half thanks to their suffocating defense, with Micah Parsons recording two sacks in the opening quarter alone.
Washington’s offense looked completely overmatched before halftime, generating just 64 total yards. Daniels completed only 6 of 12 passes for 38 yards while taking four sacks. The Cowboys built a 12-0 lead on four Brandon Aubrey field goals, though their inability to find the end zone would later cost them.
A special teams error by Washington returner Jamison Crowder, who muffed a punt recovered by Dallas’s C.J. Goodwin, gave the Cowboys excellent field position and directly led to one of Aubrey’s kicks.
Mariota Transforms Commanders’ Offense After Halftime
Everything changed when Mariota took over at quarterback to begin the third quarter.
The veteran backup immediately brought Washington’s offense to life, completing 15 of 18 passes for 161 yards and two touchdowns while adding a rushing score. Under Mariota’s direction, the Commanders found the end zone on three of their four second-half possessions.
Trey Lance, making his first start since Week 2 of the 2022 season, posted decent numbers (20-of-34 for 244 yards) but couldn’t convert in key situations as Dallas repeatedly stalled in the red zone.
Complete Player Stats Breakdown
Quarterback Performance
| Player | Team | Comp/Att | Yards | TD | INT | Sacks | Rating | Rush | Rush TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marcus Mariota | WAS | 15/18 | 161 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 132.9 | 33 yds | 1 |
| Jayden Daniels | WAS | 6/12 | 38 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 68.1 | 0 yds | 0 |
| Trey Lance | DAL | 20/34 | 244 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 82.7 | 26 yds | 0 |
Receiving Performance
| Player | Team | Targets | Receptions | Yards | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terry McLaurin | WAS | 12 | 8 | 62 | 1 | 16 |
| Jalen Tolbert | DAL | 6 | 4 | 98 | 0 | 32 |
| Zach Ertz | WAS | 5 | 5 | 44 | 1 | 14 |
| Olamide Zaccheaus | WAS | 5 | 2 | 51 | 0 | 29 |
| Jake Ferguson | DAL | 5 | 3 | 35 | 0 | 17 |
| Dyami Brown | WAS | 4 | 3 | 16 | 0 | 9 |
| Austin Ekeler | WAS | 2 | 2 | 20 | 0 | 12 |
| Brian Robinson Jr. | WAS | 1 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
Rushing Performance
| Player | Team | Attempts | Yards | TD | Long | YPC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rico Dowdle | DAL | 22 | 72 | 1 | 11 | 3.3 |
| Trey Lance | DAL | 3 | 26 | 0 | 14 | 8.7 |
| Austin Ekeler | WAS | 4 | 12 | 0 | 6 | 3.0 |
| Brian Robinson Jr. | WAS | 4 | 10 | 0 | 4 | 2.5 |
| Marcus Mariota | WAS | 1 | 33 | 1 | 33 | 33.0 |
Defensive Standouts
| Player | Team | Tackles | Sacks | TFL | PD | INT | FF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Micah Parsons | DAL | 5 | 2.5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
★ With this performance, Micah Parsons became just the fourth player in NFL history to record 10+ sacks in each of his first four seasons since sacks became an official statistic in 1982.
Special Teams Performance
| Player | Team | FG | XP | Punts | Returns | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Aubrey | DAL | 4/4 | 1/1 | – | – | Long: 41 yards |
| Jamison Crowder | WAS | – | – | – | N/A | Muffed punt (recovered by DAL) |
| C.J. Goodwin | DAL | – | – | – | – | Recovered muffed punt |
Brandon Aubrey set an NFL record in 2024 with 14 field goals made from 50+ yards during the regular season.
Team Statistics Comparison
For complete player statistics from the Washington Commanders vs Dallas Cowboys January 5, 2025 matchup, visit the official NFL box score at CBSSports.com.
Mariota's Fourth-Down Scramble Saves Washington's Season
The game's turning point came with under two minutes remaining and Washington trailing 19-16. Facing fourth-and-3 from their own 47-yard line, Mariota kept the drive alive with a 33-yard scramble that moved the Commanders into scoring position.
With all receivers covered, Mariota spotted a gap in the defense and took off running, setting up the eventual game-winner. Three plays after this clutch run, Mariota connected with McLaurin on a 5-yard touchdown pass with just two seconds left on the clock.
Red Zone Success Rate Decides the Game
The difference in finishing drives told the story:
- Washington: 3 touchdowns on 3 red zone trips (100%)
- Dallas: 1 touchdown on 6 red zone opportunities (16.7%)
This 12-point swing proved decisive in a game determined by just 4 points. Dallas moved the ball well between the 20-yard lines but repeatedly failed to punch it in. Their only touchdown came on Dowdle's 2-yard run midway through the fourth quarter, which briefly gave Dallas a 19-16 lead.
Mariota, meanwhile, showed pinpoint accuracy inside the 20, finding Zach Ertz for one score and McLaurin for the game-winner.
First Half vs Second Half: Numbers Tell All
The game stats show a complete reversal after halftime:
First Half vs Second Half Comparison
| Metric | First Half | Second Half | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WAS | DAL | WAS | DAL | |
| Points | 0 | 12 | 23 | 7 |
| Total Yards | 64 | 167 | 205 | 211 |
| Pass Yards | 38 | 116 | 161 | 128 |
| Sacks Allowed | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| TD Drives | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| FG Drives | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
First Half
Points
WAS 0 - DAL 12
Total Yards
WAS 64 - DAL 167
Pass Yards
WAS 38 - DAL 116
Sacks Allowed
WAS 4 - DAL 0
TD Drives
WAS 0 - DAL 0
FG Drives
WAS 0 - DAL 4
Second Half
Points
WAS 23 - DAL 7
Total Yards
WAS 205 - DAL 211
Pass Yards
WAS 161 - DAL 128
Sacks Allowed
WAS 0 - DAL 0
TD Drives
WAS 3 - DAL 1
FG Drives
WAS 1 - DAL 0
Quarterback change from Daniels to Mariota at halftime completely transformed Washington's offensive performance.
Washington's offense went from completely stagnant to unstoppable after the quarterback change.
Quarterback Impact: Efficiency vs Volume
| Performance Metric | Mariota | Lance | Daniels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Completion % | 83.3% | 58.8% | 50.0% |
| Yards per Attempt | 8.9 | 7.2 | 3.2 |
| TD-to-INT Ratio | 2:0 | 0:0 | 0:0 |
| Points Generated | 23 | 19 | 0 |
| Red Zone Comp % | 80.0% | 33.3% | 0.0% |
Lance accumulated more passing yards but couldn't finish drives with touchdowns. A notable missed opportunity came when he underthrew an open Rico Dowdle near the goal line before halftime. Mariota, despite playing just one half, generated more points and showed exceptional efficiency.
Protection Schemes: A Tale of Adjustments
Washington's offensive line looked like two different units. In the first half with Daniels, they surrendered four sacks, with Parsons repeatedly breaking through. After halftime, adjustments in protection kept Mariota clean, allowing him to operate effectively.
Lance wasn't sacked during the game, but faced increasing pressure in the red zone, where his completion percentage dropped considerably.
Defense: From Domination to Disappointment
First Half: Cowboys Defense Takes Control
Micah Parsons wreaked havoc early, collecting two sacks in the first quarter alone. His constant pressure disrupted Washington's entire offensive gameplan with Daniels at quarterback.
The Cowboys defense limited Washington to just 64 total yards in the first half, winning consistently at the line of scrimmage and preventing any sustained drives.
Second Half: Washington Makes Adjustments
Washington completely revamped their protection schemes at halftime, nullifying Dallas's pass rush. Mariota faced minimal pressure, allowing him to go through his progressions and find open receivers.
The transformation was remarkable:
- First half: 64 total yards, 0 points, 4 sacks allowed
- Second half: 205 total yards, 23 points, 0 sacks allowed
NFC East Playoff Picture
With this victory, Washington secured the sixth seed in the NFC playoffs, completing a late-season surge. The win marked Washington's return to the postseason for the first time since 2020.
For Dallas, the defeat continued a trend of late-season disappointments and raised questions about the team's execution in critical moments despite their talented roster.
Notable Statistical Achievements
Several milestones emerged from this January 5, 2025 contest:
- Micah Parsons joined elite company as just the fourth player since sacks became official in 1982 to record double-digit sacks in each of his first four NFL seasons
- Brandon Aubrey wrapped up his remarkable 2024 campaign, during which he set an NFL record with 14 successful field goals from 50+ yards
- Trey Lance made his first start since Week 2 of the 2022 season, with his touchdown pass drought now extending beyond three years
- Mariota posted an 83.3% completion rate, highlighting his exceptional accuracy in a relief role
Related NFC East Matchups
For more insight into this season's divisional battles, check out our other NFC East statistical breakdowns:
- Dallas Cowboys vs Philadelphia Eagles player stats from their earlier divisional clash
- Pittsburgh Steelers vs Washington Commanders match player stats for context on Washington's playoff push
Five Key Takeaways
What flipped the game's momentum?
Mariota's entry jumpstarted Washington's offense immediately. He completed 15 of 18 passes for 161 yards and two touchdowns while adding a rushing score. Washington found the end zone on three of four second-half possessions after getting shut out in the first half.
Which statistical category determined the outcome?
Red zone execution proved decisive. Dallas reached the red zone six times but scored just one touchdown. Washington converted all three red zone trips into touchdowns in the second half.
What was the game's pivotal play?
Mariota's 33-yard scramble on fourth-and-3 with under two minutes remaining kept Washington's final drive going. Three plays later, he connected with McLaurin for the game-winning touchdown with just two seconds left.
Who put up the most impactful stats?
For Washington, Mariota's three-touchdown half was the difference-maker. McLaurin led Commanders receivers with 8 catches for 62 yards and the game-winner. For Dallas, Tolbert posted 98 receiving yards, while Rico Dowdle contributed 72 rushing yards and a touchdown. Parsons' 2.5 sacks highlighted the defensive effort.
What historical mark did Parsons achieve?
Parsons became just the fourth player in NFL history to record 10+ sacks in each of his first four seasons since sacks became an official statistic in 1982.
Washington Commanders vs Dallas Cowboys
January 5, 2025 • AT&T Stadium • Final Score: 23-19
COMMANDERS
23 PTS
VS
COWBOYS
19 PTS
Total Yards
First Downs
Time of Possession
Total Plays
Yards Per Play
3rd Down Efficiency
100%
Commanders
Red Zone
Red Zone
16.7%
Cowboys
Red Zone
Red Zone
Marcus Mariota
Comp/Att:
15/18 (83.3%)
Passing Yards:
161
TD-INT:
2-0
Passer Rating:
132.9
Rush:
1 att, 33 yds, 1 TD
Sacks:
0
Red Zone Comp%:
80.0%
Trey Lance
Comp/Att:
20/34 (58.8%)
Passing Yards:
244
TD-INT:
0-0
Passer Rating:
82.7
Rush:
3 att, 26 yds, 0 TD
Sacks:
0
Red Zone Comp%:
33.3%
Jayden Daniels
Comp/Att:
6/12 (50.0%)
Passing Yards:
38
TD-INT:
0-0
Passer Rating:
68.1
Rush:
0 att, 0 yds, 0 TD
Sacks:
4
Red Zone Comp%:
0.0%
First Half
Points:
WAS 0 - DAL 12
Total Yards:
WAS 64 - DAL 167
Pass Yards:
WAS 38 - DAL 116
Sacks Allowed:
WAS 4 - DAL 0
TD Drives:
WAS 0 - DAL 0
FG Drives:
WAS 0 - DAL 4
Second Half
Points:
WAS 23 - DAL 7
Total Yards:
WAS 205 - DAL 211
Pass Yards:
WAS 161 - DAL 128
Sacks Allowed:
WAS 0 - DAL 0
TD Drives:
WAS 3 - DAL 1
FG Drives:
WAS 1 - DAL 0
Key Second Half Performers
Marcus Mariota (WAS):
15/18, 161 yds, 2 TD, 1 rush TD
Terry McLaurin (WAS):
7 rec, 57 yds, 1 TD
Rico Dowdle (DAL):
1 rush TD
Red Zone Efficiency
Yards per Point
TD per Red Zone Trip
Points per Drive
3rd Down Conversion
Key Efficiency Metrics
Teams with 100% Red Zone Efficiency in 2024:
3 teams (min. 3 attempts)
Teams with <20% Red Zone Efficiency in 2024:
2 teams (min. 5 attempts)
Avg. NFL Red Zone Efficiency 2024:
59.8%
The Washington Commanders vs Dallas Cowboys match player stats showcase how precision beats volume, with Mariota's efficiency in just 30 minutes of play outweighing Lance's full-game yardage. This regular-season finale proved once again that execution in critical moments matters more than raw statistical totals.
Statistical data sourced from official NFL game reports. Complete player statistics available at CBSSports.com and FOXSports.com.
