Redskins’ win puts them in NFC picture

IRVING, Texas — IRVING, Texas | With a quarter of their season complete, the Washington Redskins proved Sunday, against tall odds, that they belong in the NFC East discussion.

Double-digit underdogs, the Redskins handed the Dallas Cowboys their first setback with a 26-24 victory in the final regular-season game of the rivalry at Texas Stadium. The victory proved home wins over Arizona and New Orleans were relevant, the maligned secondary knows how to make game-altering plays and quarterback Jason Campbell’s toughness and patience always will give his team a chance.

The Redskins have a 3-1 record, leaving them a half-game behind the undefeated New York Giants (3-0). More importantly, they’re 1-1 in division road games, with their only loss coming in the opener to the Giants.

“This division is unbelievable, and all four teams can’t make it - that’s impossible,” tight end Chris Cooley said. “Beating a team like this is a huge step for us.”

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It was a particularly huge step for Campbell, who has won three consecutive starts for the first time in his career, and a giant leap for a young secondary that played most of the fourth quarter without injured cornerbacks Shawn Springs and Fred Smoot.

And it was a huge sign of progress for the entire operation, especially the rookie coach.

“What feels even better is having the team believe in what we’re doing and the direction we’re going,” coach Jim Zorn said. “That part feels good - they’re responding to this style of leadership.”

The Redskins’ last win in Dallas came via a miracle finish in 2005. This win was more complete.

When Dallas put together a quick rally to tie the score at 17-17 early in the third quarter, the Redskins responded by getting field goals of 33, 33 and 29 yards from Shaun Suisham and not letting Dallas sniff the end zone until the final two minutes.

“It felt like we were in charge of the game all day,” Cooley said. “Offensively we did what we wanted, and defensively they made some huge plays. It was just a lot of fun for us.”

Victory wasn’t secure until 1:42 remained. After Suisham’s third field goal of the half pushed the lead to nine points, Dallas moved 87 yards in 1:40 to make it a two-point game on Miles Austin’s 11-yard touchdown catch.

On Nick Folk’s onside kick, the Cowboys’ Sam Hurd jumped and got both hands on the football, but it deflected out of bounds.

“The Cowboys are regarded as one of the top elite teams in the NFL, and to be able to come into their place and beat them definitely bodes well for us,” right tackle Jon Jansen said.

Each phase played a hand in the victory.

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