Dallas didn’t lay down. The Cowboys were kicked to the curb and Jessica Simpson wasn’t even in town.
The white flag was waved midway through the third quarter Sunday. Washington led by 17 points and Dallas opted to wait for a potential rematch in two weeks than further risk its passer. With both teams heading to the playoffs, the final 21 minutes were a chance for a Redskins fans to exhale.
Another great escape to the postseason.
The biggest game in FedEx Field’s 11 seasons before a record 90,910 was a mismatch. The Cowboys (13-3) showed nothing. The Redskins (9-7) usedthe same defensive muscle and steady pass/run mix over the past month for their fourth straight win, 27-6.
Just one month after critics second-guessed coach Joe Gibbs’ ability to reach the playoffs he once so dominated, the Redskins mentor showed he’s still the master of the final month. Gibbs’ 4-0 finish raised his career mark to 47-17 in the final four games of 16 seasons. Santa doesn’t even own December like Gibbs.
Washington heads to Seattle on Saturday for the first-round game with the winner meeting Dallas in the NFC semifinals. Ironically, the Seahawks eliminated the visiting Redskins two years ago in the second round.
A potential rematch with Dallas in two weeks seems an afterthought once Washington dispatches Seattle, though. Indeed, the Redskins should be the NFC’s most feared team entering the postseason. Washington beat Dallas fairly after losing the first meeting 28-23. The Redskins know they can man up with anyone despite needing three road victories to reach Gibbs’ fifth Super Bowl.
Somehow, the road doesn’t scare them. Not after knocking off fellow wild-card New York at the Meadowlands. Not after deep-freezing Minnesota in the land of 10,000 frozen lakes. Flying cross-country seems like a half-decaf challenge in comparison.
“We stayed humble and hungry,” said Gibbs, donning a No. 21 hat in the post-game press conference. “If we do that and keep playing hard – who knows?”
No team deserves its success more than the Redskins this season, not even unbeaten New England. The Patriots largely cruised their way to perfection. Washington took more blows than Rocky to remain alive. Five late losses. Four straight defeats. The murder of their defensive star.
“Sometimes in life, maybe some of the best things happen to you after you’ve been crushed,” Gibbs said.
Suddenly, Dallas knows its biggest challenge to making the Super Bowl beat the Cowboys soundly Sunday. That has to keep the lights on late at Valley Ranch on New Year’s Eve.
Trouble could be heading to Big D soon.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
