Maybe the NFL’s Christmas tripleheader didn’t exactly pan out like the league’s schedule makers had hoped – and it was probably never going to measure up in some respects given the bangers that materialized just last month for Thanksgiving. But that hardly meant that Thursday didn’t provide some moments, memories and – generally – some solid yuletide entertainment.
Unsurprisingly, the Dallas Cowboys defeated the Washington Commanders 30-23 in the day’s first game … even if it didn’t matter much in the big picture.
Advertisement
As for that bigger picture – the one beyond the scoreboard? Let’s get to it and unwrap the NFL’s Christmas winners and losers:
WINNERS
Dak Prescott
Dallas’ QB1 passed for 307 yards and a pair of touchdowns in a game that didn’t mean a thing for his team aside from playing for pride. As for him? He hit 30 TD passes in a season for the fourth time in his career and still has a shot to be become the first Cowboys to lead the NFL in passing yards.
Cowboys’ uniforms
A first for Dallas actually – “America’s Team” pairing its white pants with its new-ish white helmet (introduced in 2022, it’s basically a white-dominant alternate version of their normally silver helmet, not the throwback) and highly underrated navy jerseys. They looked sharp and pretty much played accordingly.
Ian Eagle and crew
Netflix employed a first-rate broadcast team to become a stream team for the Cowboys-Commanders call. Eagle’s sense of humor, in-game insights and willingness to drop in pop-culture references and Netflix promotions made him a great choice for play-by-play duties. Mix in the sharp and sartorially savvy Nate Burleson with former league MVP Matt Ryan as something of the straight man, and the analysis wasn’t lacking, either.
Austin Ekeler
Out for the season with a torn Achilles, the Commanders running back was on the desk for the Washington-Dallas game. Good opportunity for one of the game’s self-made men and brightest dudes – and maybe the signal of a transition given Ekeler, 30, isn’t under contract for 2026 and at least needs to be taking further steps into a pending life-after-football transition … whenever it comes.
Advertisement
Jacory Croskey-Merritt
Washington’s leading rusher has had an uneven rookie season while tasked with picking up the slack for Ekeler and departed Brian Robinson Jr. But Croskey-Merritt, aka “Bill,” had one of his best games of the year, eclipsing the century mark for the second time while also posting his second two-TD game – the second one a 72-yarder that represented a new professional best. He continues to look like a player who could be ready for an even bigger role in 2026.
Netflix
For the second Christmas in a row, the streaming giant offered the gift of NFL football with the Cowboys-Commanders and Lions-Vikings games, distributed to a global audience with the assistance of CBS and NFL Network on the production side. Certainly a victory for Netflix but also a significant one for the NFL as it continues to broaden its international reach.
Advertisement
LOSERS
Netflix
You’d certainly think it lost a fair amount of streams given Dallas-Washington had zero playoff implications, while the Commanders were down to QB3 Josh Johnson with 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels already shut down for the season. (Still … Cowboys, who set a regular-season ratings record on Thanksgiving with the assistance of the then-relevant Chiefs.) In the second window, Minnesota also had to start a backup passer (rookie Max Brosmer) in a game with very little at stake aside from the Lions, a No. 1 playoff seed in 2024, trying to remain on life support.
Donovan Wilson
Is the head still attached to the Cowboys safety? An anti-Jason Witten lowlight.
Javonte Williams and Jake Ferguson
The Cowboys’ starting running back and tight end, respectively, both had their days shortened by injuries – Williams hurting his shoulder and Ferguson leaving with a calf ailment. Williams did get some payback for Wilson but was also the subject of quite a bit of online conspiracy theories. But, at least, both guys got their fantasy owners a touchdown before heading to the sideline.
All NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY’s 4th and Monday newsletter.
Advertisement
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL Christmas winners and losers: Cowboys, Netflix, Dak Prescott excel