Cowboys fans must choose, either the Commanders or the Eagles in NFC Championship game

As the NFC Championship Game approaches, Dallas Cowboys fans find themselves in an uncomfortable position. For years, the Cowboys have been the crown jewel of the NFC East, competing fiercely with their divisional rivals—the Washington Commanders and the Philadelphia Eagles. But with the Cowboys themselves once again falling short of championship contention, their fans are now faced with an unprecedented dilemma: which team should they root for in the NFC Championship Game?

This question is loaded with emotions and complex implications for any Cowboys fan. The NFC East, also known as the “Nasty East,” is home to some of the most heated rivalries in the NFL. Over the years, the Cowboys, Eagles, and Commanders (formerly the Washington Football Team) have all been locked in fierce battles for supremacy, creating a rivalry that is filled with disdain, history, and plenty of bad blood. Now, with two of these teams set to compete for a spot in the Super Bowl, Cowboys fans must decide which of their bitter rivals they are willing to support.

For many fans of the Cowboys, rooting for either the Eagles or the Commanders feels like an affront to their team’s pride. On one hand, the Cowboys have a long-standing rivalry with the Eagles, dating back to the 1960s, while on the other hand, their animosity with the Commanders is just as fierce. So, what happens when these two teams find themselves competing for the NFC Championship? Which rival is the lesser of two evils for Cowboys fans?

The Eagles: The Bitter Rival

The Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys have one of the most well-known rivalries in the NFL. These two teams have been battling it out in the NFC East for decades, with each team trading blows in a fight for dominance in the division. Whether it’s the infamous “Turkey Day” games or the high-stakes matchups that often have playoff implications, the rivalry between the Cowboys and Eagles is one for the history books.

For Cowboys fans, the Eagles are often viewed as the epitome of everything they dislike about their divisional rivals. From the boisterous Philly fanbase to the Eagles’ on-field antics, there is no shortage of reasons why Cowboys fans have developed such an intense animosity toward the team from Pennsylvania. The Eagles’ recent success—particularly their Super Bowl win in 2018—has only intensified the frustration for Cowboys fans, many of whom feel that Philadelphia’s championship victory has overshadowed Dallas’s inability to win a Super Bowl since the mid-1990s.

Rooting for the Eagles, even in the most dire of circumstances, is a tough pill to swallow for most Cowboys supporters. The thought of seeing the Eagles in the Super Bowl, especially after their most recent championship run, makes many Cowboys fans cringe. The success of the Eagles, their boisterous fans, and the overall cockiness of the franchise have created a toxic atmosphere for Cowboys fans, and many would rather see their rivals fail than succeed, even if it means an NFC Championship Game loss.

Moreover, the history between the Cowboys and Eagles has not been kind to Dallas. The Cowboys and Eagles have met in several pivotal playoff games, with Philadelphia emerging victorious in some of the most painful moments in Cowboys history. Whether it was the 1980 NFC Championship Game or more recent heartbreaking losses in the playoffs, Cowboys fans have seen their team fall short at the hands of the Eagles on several occasions. The idea of cheering for the Eagles, even for just one game, is a betrayal to everything that Cowboys fans hold dear.

The Commanders: The Former King of the NFC East

On the other hand, the Washington Commanders, formerly known as the Washington Football Team, represent a different set of challenges for Cowboys fans. While the animosity between Dallas and Washington is perhaps not as visceral as the one with Philadelphia, it is certainly one of the most storied rivalries in NFL history. The Commanders have been the Cowboys’ rivals for decades, and their longstanding competition for supremacy in the NFC East has created numerous memorable moments and tensions.

For Cowboys fans, Washington represents a team that used to be the dominant force in the NFC East. In the 1980s and early 1990s, the Commanders were consistently among the NFL’s top teams, winning multiple Super Bowls and providing stiff competition to the Cowboys. However, after the Cowboys’ resurgence in the mid-1990s, the balance of power in the NFC East shifted, and Washington fell into mediocrity.

Despite their struggles in recent years, Washington still represents a team that is deeply entrenched in Cowboys history. Fans of Dallas remember the fierce playoff battles, particularly the unforgettable 1982 NFC Championship Game, where Washington came out on top. While Dallas has dominated the rivalry in recent decades, there is still a sense of unfinished business between the two franchises.

The Commanders’ struggles to maintain consistent success have somewhat softened the blow of their rivalry with the Cowboys. However, the franchise’s current status as a rebuilding team with limited playoff success makes them a less threatening rival compared to the Eagles. Yet, the idea of seeing Washington represent the NFC in the Super Bowl is still a difficult pill to swallow for many Cowboys fans, especially those who remember the height of the rivalry during Washington’s most successful years.

Some Cowboys fans may also feel a sense of unease at the thought of Washington’s potential resurgence, as a powerful Commanders team could bring the rivalry back to its previous intensity. Additionally, given Washington’s history of success in the NFC East, seeing them rise again could prompt fears of the team regaining the upper hand in the division.

The Dilemma: What to Do?

For Cowboys fans, the choice between the Eagles and Commanders is a classic “lesser of two evils” situation. Both teams represent everything that Dallas fans hate about their rivals, yet both have made significant strides in recent seasons. The Eagles have developed into perennial playoff contenders with a solid coaching staff and roster, while the Commanders, though in the midst of a rebuild, have shown flashes of promise and could be poised for a return to relevance in the near future.

So, what should Cowboys fans do?

One school of thought is that many Dallas fans will find it hard to support the Eagles. The bitterness of the rivalry, the pain of watching Philadelphia succeed while the Cowboys fail, and the franchise’s recent Super Bowl win make them an easy team to root against. For many Cowboys supporters, the thought of an Eagles Super Bowl appearance is enough to make them wish ill on their division foes, no matter how much they may detest the Commanders.

On the other hand, some fans may feel that rooting for the Eagles, despite the rivalry, may be the least painful option in the long run. If the Eagles win the NFC Championship and go on to lose in the Super Bowl, it might bring a level of satisfaction to Cowboys fans who don’t want to see their division rivals claim another title. At the very least, it may make the sting of Dallas’ own playoff exit a little less painful.

For others, rooting for the Commanders may feel like a betrayal of everything they know about the rivalry. Washington has long been a symbol of the Cowboys’ greatest competition, and their rise to prominence could signal a return to a fierce battle for NFC East supremacy. However, the Commanders have a long road ahead of them, and many fans may feel that it’s too soon to get behind a team that has yet to prove itself in the postseason.

The Real Question: Can the Cowboys Learn from This?

In the end, the real question that Cowboys fans must ask themselves is not just who to root for in the NFC Championship Game, but why the Cowboys are not competing in the game themselves. The Cowboys have long been one of the most talented teams in the NFL, and their failure to capitalize on that talent and make it deep into the playoffs is a frustrating reality that every Cowboys fan must confront.

Instead of focusing on the rivalry with the Eagles or Commanders, Cowboys fans may want to redirect their energy toward holding their own franchise accountable. Until Dallas can consistently compete at the highest level and make a run for a Super Bowl, the rivalry with the Eagles or Commanders will remain secondary to the broader issue: the Cowboys’ inability to rise to the occasion when it matters most.

Ultimately, the NFC Championship Game presents a unique and somewhat uncomfortable position for Cowboys fans. But perhaps it also offers a reminder that Dallas has its own work to do. If the Cowboys ever hope to be in the conversation for a Super Bowl again, they must overcome their own internal struggles, rebuild, and make the necessary adjustments to reclaim their rightful place in the NFC. Until that happens, fans may continue to find themselves wrestling with who to root for when their rivals face off in the postseason.