Jerry Jones Goes Full Santa, and the Cowboys Deliver a Christmas Win-Even If It Wasn’t Wrapped Perfectly
Leave it to Jerry Jones to bring a little holiday flair to the Dallas Cowboys’ Christmas Eve. Before the team took the field against the Washington Commanders, the longtime owner decided to suit up-not in a blazer and tie, but as Santa Claus.
That’s right. Jones donned the red suit and beard and handed out gifts to players at the team hotel.
“I know [this] team got so much out of it. I'll never forget it,” Jones said with a laugh in a pregame radio interview. It was a lighthearted moment from the man who’s never shied away from the spotlight, and it set the tone for what turned out to be an up-and-down performance in Landover, Maryland.
A Win That Wasn’t Pretty, But Still Packed a Punch
The Cowboys’ 30-23 victory over the Commanders won’t go down as their cleanest effort of the season, but it got the job done-and in some ways, it reflected the team’s recent trajectory: flashes of brilliance mixed with moments that leave you scratching your head.
Dallas came out hot, jumping to a 21-3 lead midway through the second quarter, highlighted by an 86-yard bomb from Dak Prescott to KaVontae Turpin. That play was vintage Prescott-stepping up, reading the defense, and letting it rip. Turpin, known more for his return skills, showed he can be a threat in the open field when given the chance.
But after that explosive start, the Cowboys coasted. Washington clawed back, outscoring Dallas 20-9 the rest of the way.
The Cowboys’ offense sputtered at times, and Prescott-who just earned his fourth Pro Bowl nod-had one of his more uneven outings of the year. He finished 19-of-37 for 307 yards and two touchdowns, but also took six sacks and looked out of rhythm for stretches.
Still, there were positives. Big ones.
Efficiency in the Chaos
Despite the inconsistency, Dallas racked up a season-high 480 yards of offense. That’s not nothing.
And perhaps more impressively, they went a perfect 6-for-6 on fourth-down attempts. That kind of aggressiveness-and execution-speaks to a team that’s still playing hard, even with the playoffs out of reach.
Yes, the Cowboys are 7-8-1 and officially eliminated from postseason contention for the second straight year. But there’s something to be said for how they’ve closed the season.
They’ve won four of their last seven, including a statement win over the Eagles in Week 12. That game, a 24-21 upset at home, showed the kind of fight this roster still has.
Emmitt Sees the Bigger Picture
Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith, who knows a thing or two about what it takes to win in Dallas, sees signs of life. During the game, he shared his optimism for what’s ahead.
“For the first time in a long time, for me, I feel like we're heading in the right direction,” Smith said.
That’s not just empty praise. It’s a nod to the incremental progress the Cowboys have made, even if the results haven’t translated into a playoff berth.
The defense has shown flashes. The offense, when clicking, can move the ball with the best of them.
The challenge now is consistency-and a strong offseason to build on whatever momentum remains.
A Win, a Laugh, and a Look Ahead
For now, though, Jerry Jones can enjoy his Santa moment, and the Cowboys can enjoy a Christmas win. It wasn’t perfect, but it was enough. Enough to keep spirits high, enough to keep players engaged, and enough to give fans a little something to smile about as the season winds down.
The work for 2026 starts soon. But on this holiday, the Cowboys delivered-sacks, slips, and all.