What happened the last time the Washington Commanders played the Dallas Cowboys?

“When they last met” is an ongoing series during the NFL season, recalling the preceding game between Washington and the next opponent on the Commanders’ schedule.

Washington 23, Dallas 19 Week 18, Jan. 5, 2024

Marcus Mariota connected with Terry McLaurin from five yards with three seconds remaining in the game, giving Washington a come-from-behind victory over the Cowboys in the season finale at AT&T Stadium in Dallas.

Trailing 19-16, Washington took over at its own 9-yard line with 3:18 remaining in the contest. Brian Robinson ran for six yards, and Mariota completed passes of 6, 6, and 13 yards to McLaurin. The Commanders found themselves facing a 4th-and-1 at the Dallas 49. Mariota faked a handoff and took off running behind left tackle and was not brought down until he had reached the Dallas 16 for a 33-yard gain. Mariota then found Zach Ertz for 11 yards to the Dallas 5, setting the stage for the game-winner to McLaurin.

SCARY TERRY TD WITH 3 SECONDS TO GO! pic.twitter.com/10Z6DZWBUQ— NFL (@NFL) January 5, 2025

Starter Jayden Daniels struggled in the first half, completing six of 12 for only 38 yards, and was pulled in favor of Mariota, allowing Daniels to rest for the playoffs, which had been clinched the previous week in an overtime home victory over the Atlanta Falcons.

Mariota entered the game and produced one of his best games in some time, completing 15 of 18 passes for 161 yards, two touchdowns, and an outstanding passer rating of 141.0. Mariota's huge 33-yard run brought his running totals to 5 carries for 56 yards.

McLaurin led Washington with eight receptions for 62 yards, while Ertz collected five passes for 44 yards, and Olamide Zaccheaus had 51 receiving yards on two receptions.

Terry McLaurin's game-winning catch was his 13th TD reception, setting a franchise single-season record.The win in the season finale completed Washington's miraculous rebound season, in which head coach Dan Quinn and his staff took over a team that was 4-13 in 2023 and finished 12-5 in 2024.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: What happened last time they played the Cowboys