This article is from the source 'washpo' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/redskins-close-9-7-regular-season-with-a-flourish-beating-cowboys-34-23/2016/01/03/ae379326-b25d-11e5-9388-466021d971de_story.html
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
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, 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 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 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, 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 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. | |
[D.C. Sports Bog: Best and worst moments from the victory over Dallas] | |
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. | |
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. | |
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. | |
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. | |
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, 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, 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 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 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. | |
After Baker recovered Moore’s fumble on the Cowboys’ next series, Cousins hit Crowder for a three-yard touchdown. | |
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. | |
Asked about the passing record afterward, Cousins called it a testament to the entire team — citing outstanding game-planning, play-calling, receivers and protection. | |
“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.” | |
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 five-yard strike shortly before the half expired to pull within 24-14 at the break. | |
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. | |
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 | |
Follow: @MikeJonesWaPo | @lizclarketweet | @MasterTes | @Insider |