Throwback Game of the Week - DAL @ WAS
Week 16: Dallas at Washington
The rivalry of the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins is arguably as heated as it can get in the National Football League. The two NFC East teams have battled year in and year out since Dallas joined the NFL as an expansion team in 1960. This Sunday’s matchup is the 98th game between the Cowboys and Redskins. Dallas holds the series lead 58-37-2. Dallas and Washington have also faced each other twice in the playoffs with the Redskins winning both times.
First Time:
Oct. 9, 1960 – The expansion Cowboys fell to the Redskins, 26-14, in this Week 3 game played in Washington. Kicker Bob Khayat booted four field goals for Washington. Dallas’s attack was led by QB Eddie LeBaron who threw for 296 yards and 2 TDs.
Last Time:
Nov. 22, 2009 – The Redskins pressured Cowboys QB Tony Romo for much of the day. But, Romo stepped up when the game was on the line and completed 7 of 8 passes on the game-winning drive. He found Patrick Crayton for a 10-yard TD with 2:41 remaining to give Dallas a 7-6 win. NFL.com’s GameCenter>>>
Hall of Fame Members
There are 11 long-time members of the Dallas Cowboys inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame including wide receiver Bob Hayes who was enshrined posthumously last August. Six other enshrinees spent a minor portion of their careers with the Cowboys.
Washington is represented by 17 Hall of Famers. Darrell Green and Art Monk were the most recent long-time Redskins enshrined in Canton when they were inducted in 2008. Six other inductees including Class of 2009 enshrinee Bruce Smith spent a minor part of their Hall of Fame careers with the Redskins.
Records found in the NFL Record Book
The Dallas “Doomsday Defense” set the NFL record for consecutive seasons leading the league in fewest rushing yards allowed. The Cowboys were atop the NFL in that category four straight years from 1966 to 1969.
Washington holds the NFL record for most points scored in a regular season game. The Redskins racked up 72 points in a win over the New York Giants on Nov. 27, 1966.
Throwback Game
Dec. 16, 1979
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| Fittingly, Roger Staubach had one more comeback win left in him as he guided the Cowboys to a thrilling win over the Redskins in his final regular season game. |
The schedule makers could not be more pleased with how the ’79 season turned out. Dallas and Washington met in their season finale in Irving, Texas with the division title on the line. The game proved to be one of most thrilling games in this long rivalry.
Roger Staubach, playing in his final regular season game of his Hall of Famer career, capped the dramatic comeback finish by finding wide receiver Tony Hill on an 8-yard touchdown pass with 39 second left in the game. It not only gave the Cowboys a 35-34 win but also the NFC Eastern Division title. Furthermore, the loss knocked the Redskins out of the playoffs.
Washington seemed well on their way to capturing the division crown after jumping out to an early 17-0 lead. Dallas fought their way back but Washington put 17 points on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter to again take control of the game. The team was all but ready to celebrate victory after running back John Riggins raced 66 yards for a touchdown to give the Redskins a comfortable 34-21 lead with just under seven minutes to play in the game.
But that all changed as Roger “The Dodger” capitalized on a turnover by Washington and drove the Dallas offense 59 yards for a touchdown. After the defense held the Redskins, Staubach guided the Cowboys 75 yards in seven plays capped by his game-winning throw.
Staubach finished with 336 yards passing and 3 TDs while the Cowboys had a pair of 100-yard receivers in Hill (8-113) and Preston Pearson (5-108). Washington was led by Riggins’ 151 yards rushing.
| Washington | 10 | 7 | 0 | 17 | - | 34 |
| Dallas | 0 | 14 | 7 | 14 | - | 35 |
| A– 62,867 | ||||||
| WAS – FG Moseley 24 | ||||||
| WAS – Theismann 1 run (Moseley kick) | ||||||
| WAS – Malone 55 pass from Theismann (Moseley kick) | ||||||
| DAL – Springs 1 run (Septien kick) | ||||||
| DAL – P. Pearson 26 pass from Staubach (Septien kick) | ||||||
| DAL – Newhouse 2 run (Septien kick) | ||||||
| WAS – FG Moseley 24 | ||||||
| WAS – Riggins 1 run (Moseley kick) | ||||||
| WAS – Riggins 66 run (Moseley kick) | ||||||
| DAL – Springs 26 pass from Staubach (Septien kick) | ||||||
| DAL – Hill 8 pass from Staubach (Septien kick) | ||||||
Game Program Cover | Official Gamebook (PDF)
More Cowboys & Redskins on Profootballhof.com
Team histories
Dallas | Washington
Photos
Cowboys Hall of Famers
Redskins Hall of Famers
Cowboys defensive backs
Redskins through the years
Artifacts
Sculpture of Slingin Sammy's hand
Tony Dorsett’s shoes from 99-yard run
Troy Aikman's helmet
Doug Williams helmet from Super Bowl
Some other stories on Cowboys & Redskins
Redskins set record with 72 points versus Giants
Game of inches – Redskins bizarre play in ’45 championship
Cowboys and Packers in “The Ice Bowl”
Emmitt is game’s all-time rushing leader