In a game that summed up the 2024 season for the Dallas Cowboys, they fell to the Washington Commanders 23-19 in their season finale. The defeat marked the Cowboys’ 10th loss, concluding their year at a 7-10 record – one of the worst in recent team history.

The matchup at AT&T Stadium held some optimism for the Cowboys when they announced Trey Lance would start at QB. The game soon fell into the script of their entire season, filled with opportunities lost and defensive lapses. The game was closely contested, with the Cowboys holding a lead until the final moments. However, Terry McLaurin‘s 5-yard touchdown catch from Marcus Mariota with just three seconds left snatched victory from Dallas. This win was the fifth in a row for Washington (12-5), who now head into the playoffs with momentum.

Key defensive failures were evident once again in this game, as the Cowboys’ defense couldn’t make the crucial plays when they were most needed. Despite some bright spots, like Trey Lance’s attempts to rally the team, the offensive was inconsistent once again, which has been an issue for Dallas throughout the season.

Season Recap: Missed Opportunities

The Cowboys’ 2024 season began high expectations that quickly turned into frustration. After a promising start in Cleveland, the team encountered a series of setbacks, including injuries to key players and a defense that couldn’t consistently stop opposing offenses early. The Cowboys’ record took a nosedive with a five-game losing streak that was only temporarily broken by a surprising win against the Commanders earlier in November.

The 2024 offense, primarily led by quarterback Cooper Rush in place of an injured Dak Prescott, struggled to find a rhythm all season. Rush had moments of brilliance, like his performance against the Commanders in Week 12, where he threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns, but these games were unfortunately rare. The running game was equally disappointing, Rico Dowdle’s 1,000+ yards did not translate into consistent wins as the Cowboys went to Rico later in the year after the “running back by committee” approach failed and Zeke Elliot was eventually let go.

Defensively, Micah Parsons had a solid year with 12 sacks despite also being out and/or injured a large part of the year. The Cowboys’ defense allowed the second-highest points per game in the league, a far cry from their reputation as a hard-hitting, game-changing force they were in previous seasons. Defensive Coordinator Mike Zimmer was forced to play rookies and back-ups throughout the season as the “injury bug” bit hard. The rookie class got plenty of playing time, which is a positive going into next season.

The Cowboys now Look Forward

As the Cowboys wrap up another season, the focus turns to decisions about the coaching staff, particularly head coach Mike McCarthy’s future with the team. His tenure will be under scrutiny, with fans and analysts alike questioning whether a change in leadership could rejuvenate the franchise. McCarthy has had a lot of success in the regular season but that hasn’t translated into the postseason.

The Cowboys have a roster with a lot of potential, but the season has highlighted critical areas needing attention like offensive line stability, more dynamic play-calling, and more success in the red zone. The front office will have its work cut out in the draft and free agency to address these gaps. The good news is the Cowboys have moved up to twelve in the 2025 draft order.

The Cowboys’ loss to the Commanders was not just one game lost, it was the summary of a season that fell short of expectations. The Cowboys franchise must reflect on what went wrong and how they can return to being contenders in 2025. The questions around the future of the coaching staff will need to be addressed first. This Dallas Cowboys offseason will certainly not be without plenty of news as Jerry Jones and Stephen Jones attempt to prove they can put together a championship team.

*Photos courtesy of AI, AP, NFL, SI, CBS, ESPN, Yahoo Sports, NBC, and Dallas Morning News. 

“Cowboy Regg” – Co-Host of the “Sons of the Star” Podcast. The podcast is available on Apple, YouTube, and Spotify. 

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