Dallas Cowboys to host Washington Commanders in resumption of historic NFC East feud
The upcoming fixture marks the latest chapter in a rivalry rooted in 1950s expansion disputes and 1970s on-field dominance.
The Dallas Cowboys will host the Washington Commanders on Sunday afternoon at 4:25 p.m. ET on the FOX network, continuing one of the most intense rivalries in the National Football League. The fixture is framed as the latest episode in a long-standing contest that has defined the NFC East division for decades.
The origins of the feud extend beyond the playing field, tracing back to a 1958 expansion vote. At the time, Washington owner George Preston Marshall opposed the addition of a Texas team, viewing the southeastern United States as a more valuable market for the franchise. Marshall’s opposition was the primary obstacle to expansion, as NFL owners were required to approve new teams unanimously.
Dallas owner Clint Murchison Jr. eventually secured the franchise through a strategic manoeuvre involving the rights to the Washington team’s rallying cry song. Murchison purchased these rights from band director Barnee Breeskin and pledged to transfer them to Marshall only if he voted in favour of expansion. Marshall obliged, leading to the creation of the Cowboys in 1960.
Following their induction into the league, the Cowboys established significant dominance under head coach Tom Landry. The team’s 4-3 defence, which produced Hall of Famers such as Bob Lilly, Randy White, and Chuck Howley, combined with a strong offensive core to create a formidable force. From 1968 to 1970, Dallas swept the season series against Washington, and they won eight of 10 games against their rivals through the 1972 regular season.
The Cowboys’ success culminated in a Super Bowl VI victory over the Miami Dolphins, a title won before the team whose owner had initially tried to deny Dallas entry into the league. However, the rivalry saw a significant shift in the 1972 NFC Championship Game, where Washington defeated Dallas 26-3 to advance to Super Bowl VII.
George Allen served as Washington’s head coach from 1971 to 1977, a period characterised by the Cowboys’ physical dominance. Although the Commanders secured a memorable win in the 1972 championship game, the broader narrative of the 1970s remains defined by the Cowboys’ sustained success and the deep-seated animosity between the two franchises.
