By John Pappas
Skinscast Editor
Well that wasn’t supposed to happen. The script has always been that the Redskins play a little better for three quarters of the game, build the slightest of leads, only to see Dallas drive late to steal the win.
Don’t believe us? Just look at last year, when the Redskins beat the crap out of Dallas for three quarters, built a 6-0 lead, then lost it on a last minute touchdown drive. Anyone remember 2004, when rookie Sean Taylor allowed Patrick Crayton by to catch the 39-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Vinny Testaverde that resulted in a 13-10 loss? This mind you, on 4th down with no timeouts. And how about 1999, when Dallas scored three 4th quarter touchdowns to beat Washington 41-35?
In fact, we pointed out elsewhere how of the last 12 first season matches between these teams, 11 were decided by one score or less. And eight were won by the Cowboys.
So it was fitting to see the tables turned Sunday night, with Washington walking away with the win on the final play to beat Dallas 13-7. Washington did just enough, and held on just long enough, to get the win against their fiercest rival to start the season.
Sweet victory for Redskins fans.
But the win was built on individual performances, good and bad. This is where we pull back the curtain and take a hard look.
DeAngelo Hall – Hot
Hall has got to get top billing in this assessment. He is the reason Washington won the game. There are football players, and there are playmakers. Hall is the latter.
