Madden NFL 2000 Redskins QB Brad Johnson throws TD pass to RB Skips Hicks, tying the game against the Cowboys at home. The rivalry between the Redskins and Cowboys, which used to be referred to as the Cowboys–Redskins rivalry, is a well-known. In 2005, Sports Illustrated declared the Madden NFL 2000 Redskins rivalry the greatest NFL rivalry ever, describing it as “one of the greatest in sports.”

ESPN also rerecognized it as the top rivalry in the NFL. Additionally, The Sportster ranked the Redskins vs Cowboys rivalry as the 17th largest rivalry globally. Throughout the history of this rivalry, both franchises have secured a total of 32 division titles and eight Super Bowl victories combined.

Madden NFL 2000 Redskins vs. Cowboys

Each stand as two of the richest franchises in the NFL. This rivalry began when the Cowboys became an expansion team in the league in 1960. In that inaugural year, the teams belonged to different conferences but faced off once during the season. The following year, Dallas was placed in the same division as Washington. Also marking the start of their regular season encounters, which have occurred twice each year since then.

Currently, the Dallas Cowboys hold the advantage in the overall series, leading 81–49–2. In the playoffs, the two teams have clashed twice, with the Redskins winning both matchups. View more Madden NFL 2000 Short Videos on the matchup.

Clint Murchison, Jr., an oil magnate from Texas, faced significant challenges in his efforts to establish an NFL team in Dallas. He attempted to acquire two different teams, but each effort ended in failure. In 1958, Murchison learned that George Preston Marshall, who owned the Washington Redskins, was looking to sell the franchise. Just as they were nearing the completion of the sale, Marshall requested a change in the agreement. Which infuriated Murchison and led him to annul the entire transaction.

During this same period, a dispute arose between Marshall and the band director of the Redskins, Barnee Breeskin. Breeskin composed the team’s well-known fight song, “Hail to the Redskins. ” After the unsuccessful talks with Marshall, Breeskin sought to take action against him. He approached Murchison’s attorney and sold the rights to the song for $2,500 (approximately $27,306.57 in 2024). Encouraged by this development, Murchison set out to launch his own team, gaining the backing of George Halas, the chair of the NFL expansion committee. 

Madden NFL Redskins and Dallas History

Halas brought the proposal for a Dallas franchise to the NFL owners, where unanimous approval was necessary for it to succeed. The sole dissenting voice was George Preston Marshall, who wanted to maintain the Redskins as the only NFL team in the Southern United States and viewed a Texas franchise as a threat to their territory. However, Marshall learned that Murchison had obtained the rights to the fight song, which led to a compromise. If Marshall supported the Dallas franchise, Murchison would relinquish the song. Consequently, the Cowboys were established and began their play in 1960.