The Redskins Blog

Series History: Redskins-Cowboys

(Washington Redskins defensive lineman Darryl Grant picks off a tipped Dallas Cowboys pass in the 1982 NFC Championship game. Grant would return the interception for a touchdown, and the Redskins won the game, advancing to the Super Bowl. [AP photo])

The Redskins have played the Cowboys 104 times in the regular season and postseason combined. The two teams are not only NFC East rivals, but combine to create one of the best rivalries in the NFL. The squads have squared off twice a year since the Cowboys were moved to the Eastern Conference in 1961.

The Redskins, originating from the Boston Braves, have been in Washington for the duration of this rivalry. Cowboys Stadium is located in Arlington, Texas, and the team’s facilities are in Irving.

The Redskins won the first-ever matchup between the two teams, 26-14, on Oct. 9, 1960, at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C. In the first four games between the franchises, the Redskins would win two and tie two games with the Cowboys, not losing until the fifth game, in 1962.

The Redskins have beaten the Cowboys twice in the playoffs, and both times in the NFC Championship game to send them to the Super Bowl.

The first playoff battle between the Redskins and Cowboys occurred on New Year’s Eve, 1972, when Washington welcomed Dallas to RFK Stadium in downtown D.C. Rolling on all cylinders, Charley Taylor caught two Billy Kilmer passes for touchdowns, and the Redskins rolled to a 26-3 victory. The Redskins would fall to the undefeated Dolphins in Super Bowl VII.

The next playoff matchup occurred on Jan. 22, 1983, when the Redskins again played host to the Cowboys at RFK Stadium. Pitting the two top-seeded NFC teams against one another, the game was close until Washington defensive end Dexter Manley tipped a pass intended for Dallas running back Tony Dorsett. The ball landed in the hands of Redskins lineman Darryl Grant, who lumbered into the end zone for the game-sealing score.

The Cowboys swept the Redskins in their two matchups last season, winning 18-16 at Cowboys Stadium and then clinging to a 27-24 overtime win at FedExField later in the year. In the latter game, Dallas kicker Dan Bailey hit a game-winning, 39-yard field goal 9:21 into the overtime period to seal the victory. Quarterback Rex Grossman led the Washington offense by completing 25-of-38 passes for 289 yards, two touchdowns through the air and one rushing touchdown. Wide receiver Jabar Gaffney had seven receptions for 115 yards and a touchdown.

The Cowboys lead the all-time series against the Redskins 62-40-2.