Dallas had an unlucky streak after Commanders’ victory in the Cowboys’ NFC title game drought.

The Dallas Cowboys, often referred to as “America’s Team,” have one of the most storied histories in the National Football League (NFL). With five Super Bowl championships and a legacy that includes legendary players like Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin, and Roger Staubach, the Cowboys’ brand transcends sports. Yet, despite their rich history and consistent success, the team has found itself stuck in an NFC Championship drought that stretches back decades.

One of the defining moments of this drought came after a dramatic victory over the Washington Commanders during the regular season, a game that was viewed by many as a sign of hope for the Cowboys. The Dallas Cowboys’ victory over the Commanders, a critical win that seemed to breathe new life into the team’s season, set the stage for what could have been a playoff run that would end their NFC title game drought. Unfortunately, that victory against the Commanders would prove to be the last glimmer of hope before a frustrating and unlucky streak of misfortune sent the Cowboys spiraling out of contention once again.

This article explores the events leading up to the Dallas Cowboys’ NFC Championship drought, the significance of their victory over the Washington Commanders, the unfortunate streak that followed, and the broader implications for the franchise.

The NFC Championship Drought: A Franchise Stuck in the Past

The last time the Cowboys reached the NFC Championship game was during the 1995 NFL season, when they triumphed over the Green Bay Packers to advance to the Super Bowl XXX. The Cowboys would go on to defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17, claiming their fifth and final Super Bowl title. Since then, the Cowboys have come tantalizingly close to reaching the NFC Championship game but have failed to break through, enduring an unfortunate string of playoff exits, injuries, and missed opportunities.

Despite the individual brilliance of players such as Tony Romo, Dez Bryant, Dak Prescott, and Zeke Elliott, the Cowboys have not been able to get over the hump in the NFC playoffs. Whether it’s been narrow defeats in divisional rounds or heartbreaking losses in wild card games, the Cowboys have repeatedly found themselves on the wrong side of the NFL postseason. In recent years, the team has often entered the playoffs with high expectations, only to see their championship aspirations dashed in heartbreaking fashion.

The NFC Championship game has become the elusive goal, one that Cowboys fans continue to dream about but never seem to reach. For a franchise that prides itself on its tradition of success, the decades-long drought has become a defining narrative that frustrates players, coaches, and fans alike. Each year, the Cowboys find themselves competing for a spot in the NFC Championship game, only to fall short.

The Commanders’ Victory: A Glimpse of Hope

The Washington Commanders have always been one of the Cowboys’ most bitter rivals, a fierce opponent in the NFC East. When the Cowboys met the Commanders in a pivotal game during the regular season, it seemed to mark a moment of triumph for the team, one that could finally propel them past their historical postseason struggles.

The victory against Washington was significant for several reasons. First and foremost, it was a hard-fought battle that tested the Cowboys’ resolve and skill, ultimately resulting in a dramatic, late-game win that sent a message to the rest of the NFC: the Cowboys were ready to compete for the top spot. The win showcased the Dallas defense’s dominance, with playmakers like Micah Parsons making game-changing stops and Trevon Diggs demonstrating his ball-hawking ability in the secondary. On the offensive side, Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb continued to develop into a potent combination, proving that the Cowboys’ offense had the capability to score in bunches when needed.

This victory against Washington seemed to symbolize the Cowboys’ potential to break through their playoff ceiling. The win over their division rival was seen by many analysts and fans as a turning point—a sign that Dallas was finally ready to take the next step and make a deep playoff run.

However, that hope would be short-lived. Though the Cowboys’ victory over Washington helped propel them into a strong position heading into the playoffs, their postseason journey would soon take a turn for the worse.

The Unlucky Streak: A Rollercoaster of Misfortune

Following the Commanders’ victory, the Cowboys entered the postseason with renewed optimism, hoping that this could be the year they would finally return to the NFC Championship game. Unfortunately, an unlucky streak would soon derail their playoff hopes, beginning with a heartbreaking loss in the divisional round.

In a game that many considered to be a “must-win”, the Cowboys found themselves facing an opponent they had beaten earlier in the season. On paper, the Cowboys were the stronger team, but football is a game of inches, and the playoffs often come down to a few pivotal moments. Despite solid performances from the offense and defense, Dallas suffered a devastating loss, primarily due to a series of missed opportunities and mistakes that haunted them in crucial moments.

The first sign of misfortune came in the form of a key injury to Dak Prescott, who had been dealing with a nagging shoulder issue throughout the season. Prescott’s injury became a distraction that loomed large during the team’s playoff run, ultimately affecting his performance when it mattered most. Despite his toughness, Prescott was never quite at 100%, and his struggles were evident in the Cowboys’ loss. The lack of consistent play at the quarterback position has been a recurring theme for Dallas in their playoff games over the years, with the pressure to perform often becoming too much for Prescott to handle in high-stress situations.

In addition to Prescott’s struggles, the Cowboys were plagued by poor officiating decisions, missed field goals, and costly turnovers that ultimately decided the game. The loss was a crushing blow, and it would only serve to intensify the ongoing narrative of bad luck and frustration that has come to define the Cowboys’ playoff performances.

As the season progressed, it became clear that the Cowboys were once again facing another round of unfortunate circumstances that would keep them out of the NFC Championship game. The same issues that had plagued them in previous years—lack of consistency, missed opportunities, and unfortunate breaks—continued to haunt them in the postseason. For Cowboys fans, the loss to the opponent seemed like just another chapter in the book of heartbreak that had defined the franchise’s post-1995 history.

The Burden of Expectations and Pressure

As the unlucky streak continued, the pressure on head coach Mike McCarthy and the entire coaching staff grew exponentially. The Cowboys, with their star-studded roster and immense fanbase, have long been considered one of the most talented teams in the NFL, but that talent hasn’t translated into postseason success. The inability to reach the NFC Championship game in more than two decades became the albatross around the team’s neck.

For McCarthy and the coaching staff, there was little margin for error. With the Cowboys’ roster loaded with talent, every playoff exit only deepened the criticism and scrutiny they faced. Fans and media alike began to question McCarthy’s ability to lead the team to the promised land, while the front office remained under increasing pressure to make changes if the team continued to fall short of expectations.

The Cowboys’ unlucky streak became emblematic of the franchise’s broader struggles with inconsistency, whether it be poor performances in critical games or untimely injuries to key players. While Dallas remained a playoff contender year after year, the gap between where the team was and where it needed to be seemed to widen, leaving fans wondering when the elusive NFC Championship berth would finally come.

The Road Ahead: Can Dallas Break the Curse?

As the years pass and the NFC Championship drought continues, the question on the minds of Cowboys fans is simple: can Dallas ever break the curse and return to the big stage?

The Dallas Cowboys remain one of the most talented teams in the NFL, with playmakers like Micah Parsons, CeeDee Lamb, and Dak Prescott providing the team with all the tools necessary to make a deep postseason run. The defense has become one of the best in the league, and the offense has the capability to compete with any team in the NFC. But despite all the talent, the Cowboys continue to fall short, often at the most inopportune moments.

For Dallas to finally reach the NFC Championship game and end the long-standing drought, they will need to overcome the bad luck and misfortune that has haunted them over the years. The key will be avoiding injuries, minimizing mistakes, and performing under pressure when it counts the most. Only then can the Cowboys shake off the weight of their history and break through to the NFC Championship, giving their fans the long-awaited breakthrough they’ve been craving for more than two decades.

The road ahead for the Cowboys is filled with both challenges and hope. The victory over the Commanders may have been a flash of brilliance, but whether it marks the beginning of a new era or another false hope remains to be seen. The future is uncertain, but for the Cowboys, breaking the NFC title game drought is more than just a goal—it’s an obsession.