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Redskins close regular season on high note, beating Cowboys, 34-23, to finish 9-7 Redskins close regular season on high note, beating Cowboys, 34-23, to finish 9-7
(about 14 hours later)
ARLINGTON, Texas — It was a day for celebrating Washington Redskins records, giving key veterans some well-earned rest and later — only after securing a fourth consecutive victory that averted a season’s sweep by their most reviled foe — looking ahead to the NFL playoff appearance no one saw coming. ARLINGTON, Tex. — It was a day for celebrating records, giving key veterans some well-earned rest and later — after the Washington Redskins had secured a fourth consecutive victory and averted a season’s sweep by their most reviled foe — looking ahead to the NFL playoff appearance no one saw coming.
The Redskins turned the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium into their own playground Sunday, bolting to a three-touchdown lead before turning to backups to close out the regular season with a 34-23 victory. The Redskins turned the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium into their playoff finishing school Sunday, bolting to a three-touchdown lead before turning to backups to close out the regular season with a 34-23 victory.
In the view of many, Sunday’s game was a meaningless formality, with little at stake for either team. The Redskins had already clinched the NFC East title and locked up home field for their first-round playoff game next weekend. NFL officials will announce Sunday night the opponent, date and kickoff time at FedEx Field. In the view of many, Sunday’s game was a meaningless formality, with little at stake for either team. The Redskins already had clinched the NFC East title and secured home field for their first-round playoff game Sunday at 4:40 p.m. against the Green Bay Packers.
And injury-plagued Dallas, long eliminated from the postseason, could only hurt its draft-day selection spot with a victory. And injury-plagued Dallas, previously eliminated from the postseason, only could hurt its draft-day selection spot with a victory.
But with Coach Jay Gruden fielding all but three of his starters — left tackle Trent Williams, defensive end Jason Hatcher and wide receiver DeSean Jackson, all of whom welcomed the chance to recuperate before the postseason push — the Redskins issued a strong statement at the outset. Having finally rounded into winning form after a 2-4 start to the season, Washington had no intention of taking the afternoon off. But with Coach Jay Gruden fielding all but three starters — left tackle Trent Williams, defensive end Jason Hatcher and wide receiver DeSean Jackson, who all needed a recuperative reprieve before the postseason push — the Redskins issued a strong statement at the outset. Having rounded into winning form after a 2-4 start to the season, Washington had no intention of taking the day off.
Quarterback Kirk Cousins led three consecutive touchdown drives in the first quarter to stake the Redskins to a 21-0 lead. With his 12th completion, Cousins set a single-season record for passing yards by a Redskins quarterback (4,166 yards). His reward for a close-to-impeccable outing — 12 of 15 for 176 yards and three touchdowns — was being met by a flurry of handshakes and backslaps on the sideline, where he traded in his helmet for a burgundy cap early in the second quarter and handed the reins of the offense to backup Colt McCoy. [D.C. Sports Bog: Best and worst moments from the victory over Dallas]
Joining Cousins in the Redskins record book was Jordan Reed, who moved into sole possession of the single-season record for receptions by a Redskins tight end with 87. Quarterback Kirk Cousins led three consecutive touchdown drives in the first quarter to stake the Redskins to a 21-0 lead. With his 12th completion, Cousins set a single-season record for passing yards by a Redskins quarterback (4,166). His reward for a near-flawless outing — 12 for 15 for 176 yards and three touchdowns — was a flurry of handshakes and backslaps on the sideline, where he traded his helmet for a burgundy cap and handed the offense to backup Colt McCoy in the second quarter.
And nose tackle Chris Baker had his own reason to break out a celebratory gyration after recording his sixth sack of the season. In doing so, he triggered a contract bonus believed to be worth $250,000 — to be earmarked for his infant daughter’s college fund, he’d vowed earlier in the week. Joining Cousins in rewriting the team’s record book was Jordan Reed, who took sole possession of the single-season mark for receptions by a Redskins tight end with 87.
But it was a team victory all around — one that amounted to a cherry on top of season that had already far exceeded expectations. And nose tackle Chris Baker had his own reason to celebrate after recording his sixth sack of the season. In doing so, Baker triggered a contract bonus he said is worth $280,000 — to be earmarked for his first child’s college fund, he vowed earlier in the week.
With it, the Redskins finished the season 9-7, more than doubling their win total from last season. And they head into their first playoff appearance since 2012 — on the heels of only their second NFC East title in the past 16 years — on a four-game winning streak. But it was a team victory — one that amounted to a cherry atop a season that has far surpassed expectations. The Redskins finished 9-7, more than doubling their win total from 2014, and head into their first playoff appearance since 2012 on a four-game winning streak.
It may not convince skeptics that Washington is anything more than the beneficiary of the NFL’s weakest division. It can’t be denied that the Redskins earned their playoff spot without beating a team that currently has a winning record. But their winning streak has convinced an already unified locker room that it has the tools it needs to make a statement in the postseason. That may not convince skeptics that the Redskins are anything more than the beneficiary of the NFL’s weakest division. It’s a fact they earned their playoff berth without beating a team that finished with a winning record. But their hot streak has bolstered the confidence and camaraderie of a unified locker room that revels in being counted out.
Dallas, meantime, limped to a 4-12 finish — tumbling from 12-4 NFC East champions to dead-last finisher in one year’s time — and faces questions about its roster in the offseason. Dallas, meanwhile, limped to a 4-12 finish — dead last in the division — tumbling from 12-4 NFC East champions in one year’s time.
Kellen Moore, the fourth quarterback to suit up for Dallas this season, attemptedto prove that he’s a viable backup going forward should Tony Romo, at 36, not be tip-top after twice breaking his collarbone this season. On Sunday, Moore was 33 of 48 for 435 yards, three touchdowns and two interception. Kellen Moore, the fourth quarterback to suit up for Dallas this season, made an unpersuasive case that he’s a viable backup to the injured Tony Romo, offsetting his 435 passing yards and three touchdowns with a pair of turnovers that the Redskins converted into 14 points.
After both teams traded punts on their opening series, Cousins got the Redskins’ offense going with a screen pass that rookie wide receiver Jamison Crowder stretched into a 44-yard gain, helped by a terrific downfield block by rookie right guard Brandon Scherff. Cousins then hit Ryan Grant for a 5-yard touchdown throw that put the Redskins on the board. After both teams traded punts to open the game, Cousins sparked the Redskins’ offense with a screen pass that rookie wide receiver Jamison Crowder stretched into a 44-yard gain, helped by stout downfield blocking from rookie right guard Brandon Scherff. Cousins then hit Ryan Grant for a five-yard touchdown throw.
Linebacker Will Compton, among the backups who have more than proved their value given a chance in the season’s second half, came up with an interception of a high throw by Moore. Linebacker Will Compton, among the backups who have earned a starting job in the season’s second half, intercepted a high throw by Moore. Cousins needed just three plays to turn it into a second touchdown, sidestepping a would-be sack to heave an arcing ball to wide receiver Pierre Garcon, who made the terrific leaping catch for the score.
This time, Cousins needed just three plays to turn it into a touchdown, sidestepping a would-be sack to heave a high, arcing ball to wide receiver Pierre Garcon, who made the terrific leaping catch for the second touchdown of the day, making it 14-0. After Baker recovered Moore’s fumble on the Cowboys’ next series, Cousins hit Crowder for a three-yard touchdown.
Baker recovered a fumble on the Cowboys’ next series, and Cousins hit Crowder for a 3-yard touchdown in the end zone. Cousins set the team’s single-season passing mark on a 28-yard throw to Crowder. A defensive end rolled up on the quarterback’s shin on a subsequent completion, which helped Cousins see Gruden’s wisdom in pulling him from the proceedings after the series ended on a 27-yard field goal by Dustin Hopkins.
With a 28-yard completion to Crowder, Cousins set the team’s single-season passing mark and exited the game once the series ended on a 27-yard field goal by Dustin Hopkins. Asked about the passing record afterward, Cousins called it a testament to the entire team — citing outstanding game-planning, play-calling, receivers and protection.
As McCoy loosened his throwing arm on the sideline, the Cowboys extended yet another foundering drive with a successful fake punt. On the series, the Redskins backup cornerback Dashaun Phillips suffered a frightening neck injury on a hard hit in the red zone. His Redskins teammates gathered around as medics tended to him. The cart was summoned. And as he was strapped onto a gurney and immobilized, a section of Cowboys fans erupted in the wave. “I’m at the mercy of the guys around me,” Cousins said. “The fact that we were able to accomplish a little record like that speaks volumes [about] the environment I’m in and the opportunity around me.”
Phillips was then transported to a local hospital, and team officials announced that he had movement in his extremities. As McCoy loosened his throwing arm on the sideline, the Cowboys extended yet another foundering drive with a successful fake punt.
Redskins backup cornerback Dashaun Phillips suffered a frightening neck injury on a hard hit in the red zone. Redskins teammates gathered around as medics tended to him, and a section of Cowboys fans erupted in the wave. The cart was summoned, and Phillips was strapped onto a gurney, immobilized and transported to a local hospital. Team officials later announced he had movement in his extremities.
[Kyshoen Jarrett and Dashaun Phillips suffer neck injuries]
Once play resumed, Moore found tight end Jason Witten for a four-yard touchdown to avert the shutout.Once play resumed, Moore found tight end Jason Witten for a four-yard touchdown to avert the shutout.
McCoy’s first drive ended in a punt, and Dallas scored again, with Moore hitting wide receiver Cole Beasley for a 5-yard strike shortly before the half expired, and the Redskins took a 24-14 lead into the break. McCoy’s first drive ended in a punt, and Dallas scored again, with Moore hitting wide receiver Cole Beasley for a five-yard strike shortly before the half expired to pull within 24-14 at the break.
Hopkins went on to add another field goal, from 33 yards, in the third quarter. Hopkins added a 33-yard field goal in the third quarter. And McCoy (7 for 11 for 128 yards and one touchdown) found wide receiver Rashad Ross for a 71-yard catch and run — the longest touchdown throw of his career — to open the fourth quarter.
And McCoy found wide receiver Rashad Ross for a 71-yard catch and run — the longest touchdown throw of his career — on the first play of the fourth quarter. More Redskins coverage:
Summary: Redskins 34, Cowboys 23
Jenkins: Redskins play it just right in season-ending victory
Brewer: Playoff berth more enjoyable because of how it was earned
D.C. Sports Bog: Best and worst moments from the victory
Morris reaches the century mark for the second time this season
The Insider: Latest Redskins updates
More NFL:  Redskins | Around the league | Bog on Redskins | Fantasy
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