Three weeks after being left for dead, the 8-6 Washington Redskins are in control of their playoff destiny with just two games to go.
Even a loss to the NFC East-leading New York Giants on Saturday wouldn't be fatal to Washington's postseason chances.
"We're in the driver's seat right now," center Casey Rabach said. "If we take care of our business, good things will come. That's the way you always want it. You never want to be the team on the outside looking in, hoping."
The Redskins don't have to hope. They know if they win out, they'll qualify for postseason for the first time since they won the NFC East in 1999. If the Giants stumble in their finale at Oakland on top of those two Washington victories, the Redskins would win the division.
And if Washington beats New York while Dallas and Atlanta lose on Saturday and Minnesota follows with a defeat on Sunday night at Baltimore, the Redskins would clinch a playoff berth no matter what they do in their New Year's Day finale at Philadelphia.
The playoffs looked as far away as ever on Nov. 27 after the Redskins had blown second-half leads and lost consecutively to Tampa Bay, Oakland and San Diego to fall to 5-6. But Washington is 3-0 since.
"We had three excruciating losses in a row and they responded," Gibbs said. "That's a tribute to (our) leadership and character. There are any number of times where this team could have said we're out of it and get discouraged, but they didn't."
Running back Rock Cartwright is pleased that he won't finish below .500 for the first time in his four years as a Redskin.
"It's a nice feeling to have eight wins, but we're trying to get to 10," Cartwright said. "Maybe it's time for the Redskins to finally get a break."
Washington would win tiebreakers with Dallas, Atlanta, Minnesota and division leaders Chicago, Carolina and the Giants. The Redskins would only lose a tiebreaker to Tampa Bay.
"Last year, we were playing for pride," defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin said. "This year, we're playing for a playoff spot. So it's a big difference. It's a great opportunity for this organization."
NOTES, QUOTES
—The best season of Randy Thomas' seven-year career came to an ugly end with a fractured right fibula during the fourth quarter against Dallas.
But Thomas was upbeat despite the prospect of surgery Monday, followed by three months of crutches and rehabilitation. He gestured to the crowd triumphantly as he was carted off and joked with reporters on Monday.
"That was just the thrill of victory," Thomas said of his reaction to the fans. "We just whupped the Dallas Cowboys. I was part of it for 3 1/2 quarters.
"What could I have done to prevent (the injury)? Nothing. I was just trying to be aggressive. Things happen. It could've been knee and all, but it wasn't. I'm just blessed that it ain't worse."
Thomas said he would be on the sideline for this week's game against the Giants with "my leg propped up." Then the Redskins' biggest eater asked, "Do they have a buffet at the hospital? Is it all you can eat? I might have to go to a drive-thru after that."
—Defensive end Phillip Daniels tied a Redskins record with four sacks against the Cowboys, batted a pass that was intercepted and recovered a fumble.
"I didn't even know about the sack record until toward the end of the game," said Daniels, who equaled the efforts of Diron Talbert against the Giants in 1975 and Dexter Manley against the Giants in 1988. "I wish I could have broken it, but just to have four, the day was mine."
Daniels, who had never had more than two sacks in a game during his 10 seasons, had just two in the first 13 games this year. His son Davaris turned 13 on Sunday and dad told his new teenager that he would try and get a sack to celebrate the occasion.
"Never did I imagine I would get four," Daniels said.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
PLAYER/PERSONNEL NOTES
—LB LaVar Arrington, inactive the last two games with a bruised thigh, is improving and is expected to return for this week's game against the Giants.
—WR James Thrash, who has missed the last four games with a pulled hamstring, is expected to return for this week's game against the Giants.
—CB Carlos Rogers didn't just bruise his left biceps against Arizona, he tore the muscle. Rogers was inactive for last week's victory over Dallas. His return this week is unlikely.
—S Matt Bowen, who missed the Dallas game with a bruised leg and knee, is questionable for Saturday.
—RB Clinton Portis bruised his lower back, ankle and shin against Dallas but is expected to start on Saturday.
REPORT CARD VS. COWBOYS
PASS OFFENSE: A-minus - As bad as QB Mark Brunell was in the first half last week at Arizona, he was that sharp in Sunday's first half, hitting WR Santana Moss for two long completions and tossing four touchdown passes to H-backs Chrisey and Mike Sellers. Moss had just those two catches, but accounted for 73 yards. WR Taylor Jacobs couldn't stay in bounds on the one ball thrown his way and WR Jimmy Farris couldn't reach the one pass Brunell threw to him.
RUSH OFFENSE: A-minus - RB Clinton Portis started hot, with 30 yards on his first four carries en route to his third straight 100-yard game, the first time a Redskins runner had done that Stephen Davis set a team record with 1,432 yards in 2001. Portis did that despite taking two vicious hits that could have sent a less tough back to the sidelines for the day. Backup RB Ladell Betts added a TD on his 12 carries. The right side of the line of G Randy Thomas and T Jon Jansen dominated, and LT Chris Samuels got it done despite spraining his right ankle and knee the previous week at Arizona. Thomas was carted off in the fourth quarter with a season-ending fractured fibula.
RUSH DEFENSE: A-minus - The Cowboys had just 36 yards on 15 carries until the final minute of the third quarter, when they trailed 35-0. DT Joe Salave'a had a tackle for a loss in his first game after missing two weeks with an ailing foot. MLB Lemar Marshall led the way with nine tackles.
PASS DEFENSE: A - DE Phillip Daniels, who had three sacks in his previous 18 games as a Redskin, tied a team record with four. DT Cornelius Griffin recorded the first interception of his six seasons. DE Renaldo Wynn completed the big day for the front four with half a sack. SLB Marcus Washington had a huge day with two sacks, an interception and a forced fumble. Injured WLB LaVar Arrington wasn't missed as Warrick Holdman and Chris Clemons held their own. CBs Shawn Springs and Walt Harris and SS Ryan Clark fought through injuries to start and they helped shut down Dallas' potent passing game. S Pierson Prioleau was particularly active. CB Dimitri Patterson, just promoted from the practice squad, had a last-minute interception.
SPECIAL TEAMS: D-plus - Punter Derrick Frost had a tough day as did last week's hero, kick returner Antonio Brown. The kick coverage was fine.
COACHING: A-minus - The Redskins could have been in trouble, having two of three practices affected by last week's wintry weather, a number of regulars ailing and many players angry on Friday about not having their ticket orders filled (that problem was rectified).
But Joe Gibbs didn't win three Super Bowls and a Hall of Fame bust
without being skilled at crisis management. Gibbs' Redskins delivered easily their most impressive performance of his second go-round as Washington's coach, especially considering the magnitude of the game. Defensive boss Gregg Williams was equally masterful at throttling the Cowboys, whom the Redskins have outscored 49-7 over the last 64 minutes. Only a bad day by special teams coach Danny Smith's units lowers the grade.
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