The margin of victory symbolized their journey. Twenty one. That was the number Sean Taylor wore; that was the number that adorned their helmets and the patch on their jerseys. That was the number that served as motivation for what transpired these past four weeks.
And that was the number that caused grown men, jubilant over their accomplishment, to break down in the locker room after their playoff-clinching 27-6 win over Dallas.
“I broke down in tears because I just miss him,’’ Redskins left tackle Chris Samuels said.
“I just think,’’ Redskins receiver Santana Moss said, “that things happen for a reason.”
But the moment of grief passed, segueing into absolute joy. Few people, save for those who work at Redskins Park, could have predicted this finish.
Not after all the injuries. Not after four straight losses in the middle of the season. Not after Taylor’s death in late November.
‘’Four weeks ago, nobody gave us a chance,’’ said running back Clinton Portis. ‘’We’re at our best when everyone writes us off.’’
Which is why the Redskins (9-7), still grieving, could not contain themselves. The locker room was buoyant and loud. But they did not celebrate as if they’d won a title. They merely acted as if they had reached stage one of their goals. As they left the field, Redskins corner Fred Smoot told a couple Cowboys that he’d see them again in two weeks – that assumes a win over Seattle on Saturday. And receiver Antwaan Randle El told someone there was no Gatorade shower for coach Joe Gibbs because they had “three games to go.”
“Everyone’s been real loose lately,” Samuels said. “We were focused.”
The Redskins pulled away from Dallas after leading 13-3 at halftime and were never threatened in the second half. Two of Taylor’s closest friends – Moss and Portis – combined for three touchdowns. Quarterback Todd Collins continued his stellar play, with a touchdown pass and a 104.8 passer rating.
“No one expected Todd to come in and lead this surge,” Portis said.
“The ride we’re on right now, I don’t feel like I’m the key guy,” Collins said.
But Taylor was never far from their thoughts. The Redskins passed out a picture of Taylor from training camp that Phillip Daniels’ wife found on the Internet. On the picture, it read, “Just beat Dallas.”
“This whole thing is fitting,” Daniels said. “It seems like he’s always on the field with us.”
Once more, it turned to joy.
Said safety Reed Doughty, who replaced Taylor in the lineup, “It’s absolute excitement. We’re ecstatic.”
