Five key facts about the Cowboys-Commanders rivalry
The Cowboys and Commanders have one of the NFL's most storied rivalries, dating back to Dallas's entry into the league in 1960. The rivalry began with a courtroom dispute over expansion, and has featured memorable moments and championships. This Sunday's matchup adds another chapter to their long history.
The rivalry's origin was uniquely transactional: Washington's owner George Preston Marshall blocked Dallas's entry into the NFL in 1958, fearing a Texas team would cut into his southern fan base. Oilman Clint Murchison Jr. circumvented the veto by purchasing the rights to Washington's fight song from a disgruntled band director, then bartered those rights for Marshall's expansion vote.
On the field, Dallas dominated early, sweeping Washington from 1968 through 1970 and winning eight of ten meetings into 1972. Washington's lone bright spot came in the 1972 NFC Championship, a 26-3 blowout where Billy Kilmer posted a 148.6 passer rating while Roger Staubach completed just nine passes. Washington's Super Bowl VII loss to Miami's perfect team tempered that triumph.
This rivalry's longevity may continue shaping regional identity and fan engagement across the mid-Atlantic and Southwest, as generations of supporters inherit partisan loyalties tied to family tradition. Sunday's matchup could reinforce broadcast ratings and local economic activity around game-day gatherings, while the courtroom-origin story may resonate as a reminder that sports rivalries often carry business and political dimensions beyond athletic competition.