Washington Redskins
The NFC East's oldest grudge match, forged in dynasty and defined by division dominance.
The rivalry between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Commanders (formerly known as the Washington Redskins) stands as one of the most storied and enduring feuds in NFL history. Both franchises are founding members of the NFC East, a division they have dominated for decades, creating a natural geographic and competitive friction that has defined the league's landscape since the 1960s.
This matchup is characterized by high-stakes playoff battles, contrasting eras of dynastic success, and a shared history of producing some of the game's most legendary figures. For fans on both sides, the annual meetings are not merely regular-season games but pivotal chapters in a long-running saga that has frequently determined conference supremacy.
- Division Affiliation
- NFC East
- First Meeting
- 1960
- Most Valuable Player Era
- 1970s-1990s
- Combined Super Bowl Titles
- 8
- Rivalry Status
- Ongoing
Lore & Background
The roots of this animosity stretch back to the early days of the Cowboys' franchise, but it truly ignited during the 1970s. As Dallas rose from an expansion team to a powerhouse under Tom Landry, Washington, led by George Allen's "Over the Hill Gang," became their primary obstacle in the NFC. The two teams met in the playoffs multiple times during this decade, with Washington often serving as the gatekeeper that prevented Dallas from reaching the Super Bowl until 1972.
The rivalry reached its zenith in the 1980s and early 1990s, a period defined by the clash of two distinct football philosophies. While Washington's Joe Theismann led a gritty, physical offense, Dallas countered with Roger Staubach's clutch playmaking. Later, the feud evolved into a battle for NFC East supremacy between the "Three Amigos" era of Dallas and the three-peat dynasty of Washington under Joe Gibbs. These decades produced iconic moments where the division title often hung in the balance, cementing the hatred between the fanbases.
In Their Own Story
The air inside the stadium hung heavy with humidity and the electric crackle of a late-season NFC East showdown. On one sideline, silver and blue jerseys stood rigid, helmets gleaming like armor under the floodlights; on the other, burgundy and gold clashed against them like opposing tides. There were no friendly nods here—only the sharp, venomous exchange of words that had been brewing since 1960. As the quarterback dropped back, the roar of the crowd didn't just drown out the noise; it became a singular, unified scream from two cities desperate to break their rival's spirit once and for all.
Reader's Guide
The origin of this fierce rivalry lies in the shared geography of the Mid-Atlantic region and the brutal formation of the NFC East. As both franchises fought to claim dominion over the conference, they became each other's most consistent roadblocks.
The biggest clashes occurred throughout the 1970s playoffs, where Washington repeatedly slammed the door on Dallas's march to glory until the Cowboys finally kicked it open for their first Super Bowl victory in 1972. The intensity peaked again in the early 1990s when both teams were NFC titans, trading blows as Washington secured three rings while Dallas claimed two during that same window.
What makes this rivalry so enduring is not just the wins and losses, but the alternating dynasties that kept the division title perpetually in question. For decades, a win against the other wasn't just a game; it was a statement of supremacy that defined an era.
Did You Know?
- The two teams have met in the playoffs seven times, with Washington holding a slight edge in those specific postseason matchups for much of history.
- Both franchises are among the most valuable sports teams in the world, often competing for the top spot in NFL valuation rankings.
- George Allen and Tom Landry developed a deep personal rivalry that mirrored the on-field battles between their respective teams in the 1970s.
- The rivalry has produced some of the highest-scoring games in division history, particularly during the high-octane offenses of the late 80s.