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Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders: PFM Team Comparison

The Washington Commanders hold a clear overall advantage over the Dallas Cowboys in the current PFM ratings. Washington separates itself through the less severe defensive concern and the bigger big-play threat.

Current PFM Team Scores

DAL

Dallas Cowboys

76.1PFM Team Score#20 NFL
Clear edgeWSH

Washington Commanders

78.4PFM Team Score#17 NFL
Swap Teams Clear Comparison
PFM JUDGMENT

Why PFM Rates the Washington Commanders Higher

The defensive concern is smaller for Washington, but it has not disappeared. The Dallas Cowboys are closest in roster strength, where the teams remain essentially even.

Washington also brings the bigger big-play threat. Washington adds the stronger coaching operation. The Washington Commanders still deserves the higher PFM rating.

TEAM DNA COMPARISON

Dallas vs. Washington Across the Core Pillars

The farther a team reaches, the stronger the rating. Each category also calls out which team has the edge and the exact gap. Hover on desktop or tap on mobile to isolate one team.

DALDallas Cowboys
WSHWashington Commanders
Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders Team DNA comparisonPFM category scores on a 0 to 100 scale. QB Stability: Dallas Cowboys 81.5, Washington Commanders 84.4, edge WSH +2.9; Offense: Dallas Cowboys 82.8, Washington Commanders 81.2, edge DAL +1.6; Defense: Dallas Cowboys 67.8, Washington Commanders 76.4, edge WSH +8.6; Coaching Direction: Dallas Cowboys 73.2, Washington Commanders 78.3, edge WSH +5.1; Roster Depth: Dallas Cowboys 77.8, Washington Commanders 78.6, edge WSH +0.8. Hover on desktop or tap on mobile to isolate one team at a time.
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DALLAS’ BEST PUSHBACK

Roster Strength Is Dallas’ Only Close Fight

Dallas' roster gives the team one place to push back. Dallas sits only 0.8 points behind Washington in Roster Strength, but close is not the same as an edge. Washington still has Jayden Daniels at quarterback and Dan Quinn leading the coaching staff, two advantages the Cowboys cannot match in this comparison.

COMPLETE COMPARISON

Where Each Team Has the Edge

PFM Team Score

DAL76.1
Dallas Cowboys 76.1
WSH78.4
Washington Commanders 78.4
Clear Washington Commanders edge

Overall NFL Rank

DAL#20
Dallas Cowboys #20
WSH#17
Washington Commanders #17
Washington Commanders ranks higher

QB Stability

DAL81.5
Dallas Cowboys 81.5
WSH84.4
Washington Commanders 84.4
Clear Washington Commanders edge

Roster Strength

DAL77.8
Dallas Cowboys 77.8
WSH78.6
Washington Commanders 78.6
Slight Washington Commanders edge

Coaching Direction

DAL73.2
Dallas Cowboys 73.2
WSH78.3
Washington Commanders 78.3
Clear Washington Commanders edge

Recent Performance

DAL71.2
Dallas Cowboys 71.2
WSH68.4
Washington Commanders 68.4
Clear Dallas Cowboys edge

Offense

DAL82.8
Dallas Cowboys 82.8
WSH81.2
Washington Commanders 81.2
Slight Dallas Cowboys edge

Defense

DAL67.8
Dallas Cowboys 67.8
WSH76.4
Washington Commanders 76.4
Clear Washington Commanders edge

Franchise Direction

DAL74.1
Dallas Cowboys 74.1
WSH77.6
Washington Commanders 77.6
Clear Washington Commanders edge

Explosiveness

DAL71.0
Dallas Cowboys 71.0
WSH78.9
Washington Commanders 78.9
Clear Washington Commanders edge

Conference Rank

DAL#10
Dallas Cowboys #10
WSH#8
Washington Commanders #8
Washington Commanders ranks higher

Division Rank

DAL#2
Dallas Cowboys #2
WSH#1
Washington Commanders #1
Washington Commanders ranks higher

Outlook

DALIn the Playoff MixWSHIn the Playoff Mix
Same outlook
SCHEDULE CONTEXT

Which Team Has the Tougher Road?

Dallas Cowboys

Remaining schedule rank: #23

Toughest stretch: Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, Jacksonville Jaguars

Strongest opponents: San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams

Next five difficulty: 76.4

View Dallas Cowboys Road Ahead

Washington Commanders

Remaining schedule rank: #27

Toughest stretch: Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars

Strongest opponents: Los Angeles Rams, Jacksonville Jaguars, Cincinnati Bengals

Next five difficulty: 77.4

View Washington Commanders Road Ahead

Dallas has the tougher Road Ahead at No. 23. The strongest opponents include San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, and Los Angeles Rams. Washington also has the more favorable road, which adds to the less severe defensive concern and the bigger big-play threat.

View the complete all-32 Road Ahead

Ratings and Schedule Freshness

PFM ratings updated October 20, 2026. Schedule data updated October 19, 2026.

How to Read This Comparison

PFM Team Score determines the overall order. The Team DNA comparison puts five core pillars on the same 0–100 scale, while the full rows show every current category.

PFM compares overall team strength rather than predicting one matchup. Road Ahead adds schedule context without changing PFM Team Score.

See the complete PFM NFL Team Rankings and methodology.

PFM ratings updated
How PFM grades NFL teams