Nothing much has gone the Dallas Cowboys' way this season. It was another campaign that promised much but delivered very little, and it's clear that massive changes are coming this offseason.
Until then, Cowboys fans are latching onto anything positive. Getting a season sweep over the Washington Commanders represents precisely that.
It looked as if the Commanders were about to swing the pendulum in this storied rivalry after reaching the NFC Championship game in 2024. Dan Quinn, who left Dallas for Washington, was expecting his squad to deliver once again this season. They haven't come close to meeting expectations. Although injuries have been a legitimate excuse for their demise, the former Cowboys defensive coordinator was shown no mercy by his former employers.
Cowboys piled more misery on Dan Quinn with Christmas Day win
The Cowboys' offense exposed Quinn's inept defense time and again. They took advantage of Washington's depleted spine to get whatever they wanted on the ground. When quarterback Dak Prescott needed to make a play through the air, he delivered the goods. The Commanders put up a spirited fight, but Dallas always had them at arm's length.
Piling more misery on Quinn was a bonus for Cowboys fans. There doesn't appear to be much pressure on his job despite the Commanders languishing at 4-12 with one game remaining. However, it won't take long for his seat to get warm next season if the desired progress doesn't arrive.
Quinn is in danger of outstaying his welcome, which is a familiar feeling for Dallas' long-suffering support. They held him directly responsible for a pathetic playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers in 2023, and Jerry Jones did nothing to stop him from joining the Commanders. That spoke volumes, and after a strong start, things seem to be unraveling again.
That's of no concern to the Cowboys. They have their own defensive problems to figure out, which starts with deciding what to do with coordinator Matt Eberflus. Quinn isn't faring much better in Washington, either, so it'll be interesting to see what the future holds for these bitter rivals after Dallas regained the upper hand this season.
Washington's locker room is still fighting for Quinn. That's arguably their biggest positive from a dismal campaign, something evident during severe turbulence in Dallas. But make no mistake; that will count for nothing in 2026 if results do not improve.
And if the Cowboys have any say in the matter, they will hope their recent success over Quinn and the Commanders continues for a long time.