10
2002: Cowboys make Spurrier eats his words
LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 27: Head coach Steve Spurrier of the Washington Redskins walks off the field after the game against the Philadelphia Eagles on December 27, 2003 at the Fed Ex Field in Landover, Maryland. The Eagles defeated the Redskins 31-7. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
Washington’s first year coach Steve Spurrier stoked the flames before the season when he said he would give the first game ball from a victory over the Cowboys to then owner Dan Snyder. This wouldn’t turn out to be the game for Spurrier to present his gift.
The Cowboys came from down 10 points to win the game 27-20, behind a big rushing day for running back Emmitt Smith, and a Pick-Six from safety Roy Williams.
This contest was also memorable for the blocked field goal that led to a gruesome broken nose for Washington punter/holder Bryan Barker.
9
2006: Romo dominates the Buccaneers
Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images
In Tony Romo’s first career Thanksgiving Day start, the young signal caller had one of his best games, throwing for 306 yards and five touchdown passes. Romo threw two scores apiece to wide receiver Terry Glenn and RB Marion Barber, with the other touchdown going to WR Terrell Owens.
The 38-10 blowout was the team’s biggest Turkey Day win since 1992 and it gave the Cowboys a 7-4 record. It was also the fifth win in six starts for Romo.
8
2011: Last-second field goal beats Dolphins
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
The Cowboys entered the contest on a three-game winning streak but found themselves trailing the Miami Dolphins by six heading into the fourth quarter. Romo gave the Cowboys the lead with an 18-yard touchdown pass to Laurent Robinson, but th Dolphins managed to get it back on a field goal.
Dallas got the ball back late and mounted a 10-play, 54-yard drive that set up kicker Dan Bailey’s game-winning 28-yard field goal. The Cowboys won 20-19 to keep their momentum going in a season where the team ultimately faded late and missed the playoffs.
7
2012: RGIII dominates the Cowboys
Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images
Washington rookie Robert Griffin entered the game as one of the game’s best rookie QBs, and he put on a show in the 38-31 win over the Cowboys. Griffin threw for 304 yards and four touchdowns in a dominating performance.
At halftime, Washington led 28-3, but Romo, WR Dez Bryant and the Cowboys would mount a furious comeback that fell short. Romo threw three second half scores, two of which went to Bryant, but it wasn’t enough to outduel the rookie sensation.
6
2013: Murray carries Cowboys over the Raiders
Nov 28, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray (29) carries the ball against the Oakland Raiders during a NFL football game on Thanksgiving at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dallas had to scratch and claw to beat the lowly Raiders in this Thanksgiving Day game, and the effort was led by RB DeMarco Murray. The passing game wasn’t much of a factor, but Murray ran for 67 yards and had three rushing touchdowns to help give the team a 31-24 win.
The Cowboys were down 21-7 late in the first half but managed to climb back into the game with a Murray score before the end of the half. Murray’s third touchdown of the game in the fourth quarter put the Cowboys ahead for good.
5
2014: Eagles crush Cowboys
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
The schedule makers did the Cowboys no favors in this game, giving Jerry Jones’ team a Sunday night game on the road before coming home on a short week to play the rival Philadelphia Eagles. This was a battle for supremacy in the NFC East and the Eagles left the contest in first place.
The Eagles were up 14-0 in the first quarter and never looked back against the sluggish Cowboys. Romo had a rough game, while Eagles RB LeSean McCoy ran for 159 yards and a score in the win.
A few weeks later the Cowboys would get their revenge and essentially win the division, but this was an ugly Turkey Day beatdown.
4
2016: Rookies lead the way for Cowboys
Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images
The Cowboys came into the matchup winners of nine straight behind the dynamic rookie duo of QB Dak Prescott and RB Ezekiel Elliott. The first-year stars didn’t disappoint as both accounted for two scores apiece as the Cowboys won 31-26.
Prescott threw for a touchdown and ran one in, while Elliott rushed for 97 yards and two touchdowns in the victory. The win gave the Cowboys a 10-game winning streak as the team hadn’t lost since the opening week of the season.
3
2018: Cowboys, Cooper overtake Washington
Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images
The two rivals came into the game neck and neck in standings, but the Cowboys won the game easily behind an incredible performance from WR Amari Cooper. Prescott threw for 289 yards, most of which went to Cooper, and two touchdowns in the win. Cooper caught eight passes for 180 yards and both scores, one of which came from 90 yards out.
On the ground Elliott ran for 121 yards for his third straight 100-yard rushing game and added a touchdown as well. The win came in the middle of a resurgent season where the Cooper trade propelled the Cowboys to a division championship after a 3-5 start, while Washington tailed off and finished 7-9.
2
2021: Assistant comes back to beat Cowboys
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Not all Thanksgiving games have happy endings. In 2021, when the Cowboys were on their way to an NFC East title, they met up with the Raiders again, and this time it didn’t break Dallas’ way.
The Raiders under interim coach and former Cowboys special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia came in as underdogs and dominated a flustered Dallas defense that had been good all year. QB Derek Carr threw for 375 yards as the Raiders led by 11 points in the third quarter and had the Cowboys chasing them from behind all game.
McCarthy’s team rallied to tie the game late and force overtime, only to have cornerback Anthony Brown commit one of the team’s 14 penalties to give the Raiders a short field goal attempt to win the game. It was one of Brown’s four DPI penalties in the game. Daniel Carlson made the kick, and the Raiders left 36-33 winners on the holiday.
1
2023: Bland enters the record book in a blowout win
Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images
Prescott and the Cowboys came into the game hot on offense, and they feasted on a bad Commanders group who just happened to be in their way. The Cowboys won in a 45-10 rout, where Prescott threw for 331 yards and four scores in a near perfect outing.
Prescott’s game was overshadowed by CB DaRon Bland’s record setting fifth pick-six of the year. Bland’s 63-yard interception and score was the highlight of a game the Cowboys dominated from the start. The record play was one of the most electric moments of the year in the NFL.
