Quick answer

• Yes — Dak Prescott is expected to play for Dallas today.
• Yes — CeeDee Lamb is expected to play for Dallas today.
• Washington is set to start veteran quarterback Josh Johnson.

Official actives/inactives post closer to kickoff, but this matchup has been framed all week around Dallas’ offensive stars and Washington’s injury-hit quarterback room.

How to watch Cowboys vs Commanders

This is a Christmas Day NFL game streaming on Netflix, part of the holiday doubleheader. If you’re hunting for the simplest “where to watch” answer, it’s this: open Netflix at kickoff and you’re in.

For Netflix’s official global kickoff timing details, you can check Netflix’s guide here: Netflix NFL Christmas Gameday viewing info.

Why this game still matters (even without playoffs)

On paper, both teams have been eliminated from postseason contention — but Christmas Day games live a little differently. They’re standalone events, built for casual viewers and diehards alike, and they tend to amplify every moment: the big plays, the mistakes, the sideline emotion, and the “this still counts” pride that shows up when rivals share a division.

For Dallas, the motivation is straightforward: end the season with something steady to hold onto. The Cowboys have been trying to snap a slide and finish with momentum, and a divisional win on a holiday stage is the kind of result that can quiet the noise — at least for a week.

Washington’s angle is the spoiler role. A team that’s struggled for long stretches can still treat a nationally streamed holiday game like a personal Super Bowl — especially against a familiar opponent.

The headline matchup: Dallas’ passing game vs Washington’s back end

The most obvious pregame question isn’t “who needs this more?” — it’s “can Washington slow down the Dallas air attack?” Prescott has already shown he can move the ball in this matchup, and Lamb remains the kind of receiver who can flip the mood of a game with one route and one clean throw.

Dallas’ ideal script is clear: build an early lead, force Washington to chase points, and let Prescott work through his reads without needing to play hero ball. If the Cowboys are efficient early, it becomes a long afternoon for any secondary — especially one dealing with a late-season injury grind.

If Washington hangs around, the pressure swings back onto Dallas: protect the football, avoid short fields, and don’t let a rivalry game turn into a tense fourth quarter.

Washington’s quarterback situation (and what it means)

Washington is set to start veteran Josh Johnson, with Jeff Driskel lined up behind him. That matters for one big reason: Dallas’ defense hasn’t produced consistent pressure recently, and this is a matchup where the Cowboys will want to disrupt timing early — especially against a quarterback who hasn’t had the benefit of months running the full game plan.

Washington has also been dealing with injuries in the quarterback room, and the ripple effect can show up in everything from tempo to play-calling to the willingness to take deep shots. If Dallas can get a lead and force obvious passing situations, the game tilts toward the Cowboys’ strengths.

You can see Washington’s official Week 17 quarterback status update here: Commanders Week 17 game status.

Three keys to the game

1. Start fast. Dallas wants the early lead. Christmas games can turn into weird, emotional coin-flips if you let a rival feel momentum.
2. Protect the football. A divisional matchup between teams with nothing to lose can swing on one short-field turnover.
3. Pressure the quarterback. Dallas has to make Johnson uncomfortable — consistent heat changes everything, especially with Washington’s depth chart under strain.

What to expect

Expect Dallas to lean into its best known advantage: the Prescott-to-Lamb connection. If Washington can’t generate stops early, the game could open up quickly. But divisional games have a habit of ignoring logic, and Washington’s best hope is to drag the Cowboys into a messy, high-emotion afternoon where one bounce decides it.

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