The Dallas Cowboys improved to 7-8-1 by defeating the Washington Commanders on Christmas Day. They opened up a 21-3 lead in the first half and never looked back, though things got a little sweaty in the second half as the offense struggled to finish off drives with touchdowns.
It was a very hollow win in the bigger picture, but it's another win on Brian Schottenheimer's resume. The first-year head coach wants nothing to do with "tanking" to secure a high draft pick. Similarly, Dak Prescott didn't mince words about wanting to play in next week's finale against the Giants.
While there is something to be said about not folding after being eliminated from playoff contention, the Cowboys harmed their position in the 2026 NFL Draft in the process. With the win, Dallas moved down to the No. 15 overall pick, per Tankathon. They owned the No. 13 overall pick before kickoff.
Updated 2026 NFL Draft order after the Cowboys' Week 17 win
- New York Giants (2-13)
- Las Vegas Raiders (2-13)
- Cleveland Browns (3-12)
- New York Jets (3-12)
- Tennessee Titans (3-12)
- Arizona Cardinals (3-12)
- Washington Commanders (4-12)
- New Orleans Saints (5-10)
- Cincinnati Bengals (5-10)
- Kansas City Chiefs (6-10)
- Miami Dolphins (6-9)
- Los Angeles Rams - via the Atlanta Falcons (6-9)
- Baltimore Ravens (7-8)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8)
- Dallas Cowboys (7-8-1)
- Detroit Lions (8-8)
- Minnesota Vikings (8-8)
- New York Jets - via Indianapolis Colts (8-7)
- Carolina Panthers (8-7)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6)
- Dallas Cowboys - via Green Bay Packers (9-5-1)
- Philadelphia Eagles (10-5)*
- Houston Texans (10-5)
- Buffalo Bills (11-4)*
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-4)*
- San Francisco 49ers (11-4)*
- Cleveland Browns - via Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4)*
- Los Angeles Rams (11-4)*
- Chicago Bears (11-4)*
- New England Patriots (12-3)*
- Seattle Seahawks (12-3)*
- Denver Broncos (13-3)
It's not the end of the world that the Cowboys moved down two spots. However, that could be the difference between landing the highest (hopefully defensive) player on their board.
Three picks were the difference this past April between Dallas landing Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan. It worked out in the end as the team drafted Alabama guard Tyler Booker, who looks like a future Pro Bowler, and the front office traded for George Pickens in May.
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However, Thursday's win might cost the Cowboys a shot at Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey, who could be cemented in the top 10 by April, or Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles, a projected top-20 pick and the exact LB profile Dallas needs in the middle of its defense.
The good news is that the Cowboys can't fall any further than pick 15. Nearly every team behind them has a record of .500 or better, including the Vikings and Lions, who've already played. Furthermore, the Buccaneers have a very winnable game Sunday against the Dolphins.
Unfortunately, the Ravens play the Packers in Green Bay, and quarterback Lamar Jackson is listed as doubtful. Wins by the Ravens and Buccaneers would allow Dallas to jump back up to No. 13. They can climb to No. 14 if one of Baltimore or Tampa Bay wins.
The sky isn't falling, but the Cowboys play the lowly Giants next, and Dak Prescott has left no doubt that he wants to suit up. There's a world where Dallas finishes with the No. 19 pick because they beat New York and didn't get any help elsewhere.
That would be far from ideal.