However, the defense gave up many points, despite strong play from Randy White, Ed "Too Tall" Jones, and Everson Walls.
Late in the season, the Cowboys met the Redskins at Texas Stadium with the NFC East crown up for grabs.
Both teams entered the game with 12–2 records, but the defending champion Redskins proved too much for the Cowboys and emerged with a 31–10 victory, giving them the NFC East title.
After a 42–17 drubbing at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers the following week, the Cowboys faced the Los Angeles Rams in the wild card game of the NFC playoffs.
Running backs Wide receivers Tight ends Defensive linemen Defensive backs Special teams Rookies in italics 48 active, 5 inactive Division opponents are in bold text The October 16 and November 6 games against the Philadelphia Eagles were played with locations switched from the original schedule, because of October 16 conflict with game 5 of the baseball World Series.
As for Head coach Tom Landry's Cowboys, they had most recently lost to the Redskins in the NFC Championship game – their third straight trip to the conference title contest that ended in defeat.
The Redskins were emotionally high coming into the opening game and did well at exploiting weaknesses in the Dallas defense during the first half.
The biggest first half highlight for Dallas came in the second quarter on a 77-yard run by Tony Dorsett, who was caught from behind by fleet CB Darrell Green.
Moseley followed up with field goals of 30 and 39 yards and, with 40 seconds left in the first half, WR Charlie Brown made an outstanding catch of a Theismann pass for a 41-yard touchdown that seemingly put the Redskins in command at 23–3.
The Cowboys made adjustments to the defense at halftime that successfully countered Washington's attack during the second half.
Things began to turn around early in the third quarter when White completed a pass to Tony Hill, who raced past CB Vernon Dean for a 75-yard touchdown.
Shortly thereafter, White hit Hill again for another long scoring play, this time victimizing the inexperienced CB Anthony Washington in the secondary.
Still ahead by six points, the Redskins drove to the Dallas 14-yard line but were moved back by a holding penalty and then Moseley had a critical missed field goal attempt from 31 yards.
With just over two minutes to play, the game-clinching points were set up thanks to reserve CB Ron Fellows intercepting a Theismann pass at the Washington 40 and returning it to the four yard line.
The Redskins finally scored again in the waning seconds to close to one point, but it was inconsequential to the outcome once a desperation onsides kick was recovered by the Cowboys.
Moreover, the inability to put more points on the board in the second half until it was too late, combined with the big plays by the Cowboys that exploited weaknesses in Washington's defense, made the difference.
Danny White, recovering from the horrible first half showing, ended up completing 9 of 20 passes for 193 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions.
"Anytime I can look up here and see the stands half-empty and the fans grumbling on their way out, it's the most gratifying experience in football", said Dennis Thurman, who recovered the climactic onsides kick for the Cowboys that effectively ended the game.
Washington's opening defeat on Monday Night was easily overcome by the Redskins, who won the rematch in Dallas later in the season and lost only one other game in compiling a 14–2 record.
Before halftime the Cowboys took the lead 13–10 when Rafael Septién kicked his second field goal of the game from 34 yards.
On the third play of the fourth quarter and the Cowboys sitting at their own three yard line, Coach Tom Landry reached into his bag of tricks.
Danny White took the snap from center and threw a lateral to Drew Pearson who would look to throw and take the Saints by surprise.
The tip interrupted the timing of Pearson's pass attempt to fellow wide receiver Doug Donley who was streaking down the left sideline.
Poe hit Pearson's arm as he attempted his pass and the ball was then tipped high in the air by the Saints Frank Warren.
Kenny Stabler dropped back into the end zone looking for receiver Jeff Groth, but Everson Walls had him covered.
This allowed Cowboys linebacker Anthony Dickerson who was blitzing to beat Wayne Wilson and sack Stabler for the safety.
Everson Walls tripped as he was covering White, which allowed him to catch a 43-yard touchdown pass, giving the Vikings a 7–0 lead.
The Vikings would add a field goal to increase their lead to 17–3 before Cowboys quarterback Danny White recorded their first touchdown of the game.
Facing a fourth and one from the Vikings two yard line, Danny White took the ball himself and ran in for the touchdown to get the Cowboys closer, 17–10.
Rafael Septién added his third field goal of the game to close out the scoring and giving the Cowboys a 37–24 victory.