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Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders: PFM Team Comparison

The Washington Commanders hold a slight overall advantage over the Dallas Cowboys in the current PFM ratings. Washington separates itself through the less severe defensive concern and the stronger coaching operation.

Current PFM Team Scores

DAL

Dallas Cowboys

77.3PFM Team Score#18 NFL
Slight edgeWSH

Washington Commanders

78.7PFM Team Score#17 NFL
HEAD-TO-HEAD RESULTS

Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders: Previous Meetings

Dallas Cowboys lead the recorded series 1–0 over 1 meetings.

Dallas Cowboys1 wins
Washington Commanders0 wins
Recorded meetings1

Recent Meetings

DateMatchupFinalWinner
Sep 20, 2026Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys20–37Dallas Cowboys
  1. Sep 20, 20262026 season
    Washington CommandersAway20 – 37Dallas CowboysHome
    Dallas Cowboys won

Results shown: 2026. Scores since 1999: nflverse (CC BY 4.0). Earlier meetings that have not been verified are excluded.

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. Dallas' strongest counterargument is Offense. The Cowboys can create offense in more than one way. One bad matchup is less likely to shut down the entire scoring approach.

Washington also brings the stronger coaching operation. Washington adds the bigger big-play threat. 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 82.2, Washington Commanders 84.1, edge WSH +1.9; Offense: Dallas Cowboys 84.3, Washington Commanders 80.1, edge DAL +4.2; Defense: Dallas Cowboys 69.2, Washington Commanders 76.8, edge WSH +7.6; Coaching Direction: Dallas Cowboys 73.2, Washington Commanders 78.3, edge WSH +5.1; Roster Depth: Dallas Cowboys 78.1, Washington Commanders 78.4, edge WSH +0.3. Hover on desktop or tap on mobile to isolate one team at a time.
Hover or tap a team to focus that profile. Use Show Both to bring the overlay back.
THE COUNTERARGUMENT

Dallas Cowboys’ Best Argument

The offensive edge favors the Dallas Cowboys because the unit has the better week-to-week floor. It can keep moving even when the first answer is taken away. The offense advantage is a real point in Dallas' favor, but it does not outweigh the rest of the higher-rated team’s advantages. The problem for Dallas is that Washington counters with the less severe defensive concern and the stronger coaching operation.

COMPLETE COMPARISON

Where Each Team Has the Edge

PFM Team Score

DAL77.3
Dallas Cowboys 77.3
WSH78.7
Washington Commanders 78.7
Slight Washington Commanders edge

Overall NFL Rank

DAL#18
Dallas Cowboys #18
WSH#17
Washington Commanders #17
Washington Commanders ranks higher

QB Stability

DAL82.2
Dallas Cowboys 82.2
WSH84.1
Washington Commanders 84.1
Slight Washington Commanders edge

Roster Strength

DAL78.1
Dallas Cowboys 78.1
WSH78.4
Washington Commanders 78.4
Slight Washington Commanders edge

Coaching Direction

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

Recent Performance

DAL75.2
Dallas Cowboys 75.2
WSH71.3
Washington Commanders 71.3
Clear Dallas Cowboys edge

Offense

DAL84.3
Dallas Cowboys 84.3
WSH80.1
Washington Commanders 80.1
Clear Dallas Cowboys edge

Defense

DAL69.2
Dallas Cowboys 69.2
WSH76.8
Washington Commanders 76.8
Clear Washington Commanders edge

Franchise Direction

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

Explosiveness

DAL76.1
Dallas Cowboys 76.1
WSH82.1
Washington Commanders 82.1
Clear Washington Commanders edge

Conference Rank

DAL#10
Dallas Cowboys #10
WSH#9
Washington Commanders #9
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: #8

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

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

Next five difficulty: 81.5

View Dallas Cowboys Road Ahead

Washington Commanders

Remaining schedule rank: #28

Toughest stretch: Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars, Dallas Cowboys

Strongest opponents: Jacksonville Jaguars, Cincinnati Bengals, Houston Texans

Next five difficulty: 76.5

View Washington Commanders Road Ahead

Dallas has the tougher Road Ahead at No. 8. 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 stronger coaching operation.

View the complete all-32 Road Ahead

Ratings and Schedule Freshness

PFM ratings updated November 10, 2026. Schedule data updated November 9, 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