LANDOVER, Md. (Interstat) — Dak Prescott threw two touchdown passes and the Dallas Cowboys built a commanding early lead before holding off a spirited second-half rally by the Washington Commanders for a 30-23 victory on Thursday.

In a Christmas Day matchup at FedEx Field before an announced crowd of 64,407, the Cowboys seized control with 24 first-half points, then relied on their ground game and defense to secure the win after Washington closed the gap to a single score in the fourth quarter.

The victory improved Dallas to 7-8-1, while Washington fell to 4-12.

Prescott, the Cowboys’ quarterback, completed 19 of 37 passes for 307 yards. His most significant connection was an 86-yard touchdown strike to KaVontae Turpin in the second quarter that extended Dallas’s lead to 21-3. Prescott also added 24 yards on four scrambles.

The game’s most important sequence came in the final minutes. After Washington kicker Jake Moody nailed a 51-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 30-23 with just over two minutes remaining, the Cowboys’ offense needed to run out the clock. Facing a Commanders defense that had harassed Prescott with five sacks, Dallas turned exclusively to its running backs.

Malik Davis and Hunter Luepke combined for five consecutive runs, gaining 16 yards and forcing Washington to burn all three of its timeouts. A critical 21-yard completion from Prescott to George Pickens on third down effectively sealed the outcome, allowing Dallas to kneel out the final seconds.

“We knew we had to close it out with the run,“ Prescott said. “The line and the backs did a great job finishing.“

Dallas opened the scoring on its first possession, capping a 10-play, 65-yard drive with a 6-yard touchdown pass from Prescott to tight end Jake Ferguson. After a Washington field goal, the Cowboys answered with a methodical 15-play march that Javonte Williams finished with a 4-yard touchdown run.

The Commanders’ offense, led by quarterback Josh Johnson, found rhythm before halftime. Johnson, who finished 15 of 23 for 198 yards, engineered a 71-yard drive that running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt capped with a 10-yard touchdown run to make it 21-10. Dallas kicker Brandon Aubrey added a 42-yard field goal as time expired in the half for a 24-10 lead.

Washington emerged from the locker room with renewed energy. After forcing a Dallas punt, Croskey-Merritt took a handoff on the Commanders’ first play of the ensuing drive and burst through the line for a 72-yard touchdown, electrifying the home crowd and cutting the lead to 24-17.

Croskey-Merritt was a bright spot for Washington, rushing for 105 yards and two touchdowns on just 11 carries.

Dallas responded with a 52-yard Aubrey field goal, but Washington continued to press. Another sustained drive ended with a 23-yard Moody field goal, bringing the score to 27-20 late in the third quarter.

The fourth quarter became a battle of field position and field goals. Aubrey missed a 58-yard attempt wide right, giving Washington a chance to tie. The Commanders drove into Dallas territory but stalled, and Moody’s 51-yard kick made it 27-23 with 9:09 remaining.

Aubrey redeemed himself on the next Dallas possession, drilling a 51-yarder of his own to restore the seven-point cushion at 30-23 with 3:59 left, setting the stage for the final clock-killing drive.

The Commanders’ defensive effort was led by linebacker Bobby Wagner and safety Will Harris, who each recorded 10 tackles. Defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton was disruptive throughout, registering nine tackles and three sacks.

For Dallas, Davis provided balance with 103 rushing yards on 20 carries. Turpin was a dynamic weapon, totaling 201 all-purpose yards, including his long touchdown and 115 return yards.

The Cowboys will conclude their regular season on the road against the New York Giants on Jan. 3. Washington will travel to face the Philadelphia Eagles the same day.