Washington Football Team: History of the Dallas Thanksgiving matchup

NOVEMBER 22, 2012

Dallas was 5-5 and Washington was 4-6 entering the 2012 Thanksgiving game. But one team was treading water, while the other was on a rocket to the playoffs.

Rookie Robert Griffin III crafted the second-greatest second quarter in franchise history (the first, of course, being the 1988 Super Bowl). It began early with a long strike to Aldrick Robinson, putting Washington up 7-3. A few minutes later, Josh Wilson hit Dez Bryant, causing a fumble. Alfred Morris cashed in a few minutes later with a short run for a 14-3 lead.

After a three-and-out, Pierre Garcon snagged an off-target Griffin throw and turned it into a 59-yard score. Garcon may never have run faster than he did on this play, and Washington was up 21-3.

With Dallas desperately trying to do something positive before halftime, DeAngelo Hall intercepted Tony Romo and returned the ball to the Dallas 33. There were just 30 seconds remaining in the half. Which was plenty of time for another Washington touchdown.

Griffin’s third touchdown of the game was a short back-shoulder throw to Santana Moss. For the first time in a long time, Washington’s offense was simply unstoppable. 28 unanswered points in the second quarter and a 28-3 halftime lead.

Of course, the game was far from over. Though Dallas seemed moribund throughout most of the third quarter, Washington did not extend the lead. Griffin, after sustaining a big hit from Jason Hatcher, seemed to cool off a bit. An early field goal and a late explosive catch-and-run from Bryant made it 28-13 as the fourth quarter began.

Despite taking several more big hits, RGIII was still able to run and throw Washington to another score, hitting a wide open Niles Paul for a 30-yard TD on third and short.

Then two quick Dallas touchdowns surrounding an RGIII interception had all Washington fans recalling famous comebacks from the past — like the one 38 years earlier with a kid named Longley. There was still more than eight minutes to go, and Washington’s lead had been reduced to one touchdown.

But this year would be different. Morris runs hard. Griffin makes key throws when needed. Washington runs clock and gets a field goal. A final Dallas field goal with 18 seconds left makes the final score 38-31.

For the first time ever, Washington has defeated Dallas on Thanksgiving.

The Washington Football Team has lost the two Thanksgiving matchups since 2012 (though they did defeat the Giants on Thanksgiving in 2017). Maybe there’s a Longley or a Griffin on the verge of carving out his own place in the story this coming Thursday.