Redskins thought they could look at that game with confidence. Because the new Redskins beat teams that are beatable. But the old Redskins didn't. Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant ( 88 ) runs with pressure from Washington Redskins cornerback. One game doesn’t change what the Washington Redskins have become. A loss on the road against a formidable foe won’t alter their new reality.The Redskins are becoming an improved football team. They proved it again Monday night despite losing to the Dallas Cowboys, 18-16, at Cowboys Stadium.Although the Redskins failed to close the deal against their NFC East rival, they showed they could be a major factor in the race for the NFC East division title, which is completely up for grabs.The Redskins are right in the mix with Dallas, Philadelphia and the New York Giants. And, really, before the season, who would have thought such a thing was even possible?“We know we’re a good team, but you still have to finish,” said tight end Fred Davis, who had one catch for 23 yards against the Cowboys. “The defense did their job. I feel like we let them down scoring only one [touchdown].“We know we can play better than that. We know where we’re trying to get to as a team. Man, this wasn’t it tonight.”
Despite surrendering the game in the final minutes, the Redskins took another positive step in a process that has finally injected a sense of optimism among their fans. They’re getting closer. That much is apparent.Dallas feels similarly. Offensively, the Cowboys could be second to none in the NFC if quarterback Tony Romo regularly displays the kind of mental toughness he did with Dallas trailing late in the fourth quarter and needing him to deliver.
Facing an all-out blitz on third and 21, Romo connected with wide receiver Dez Bryant for a 30-yard gain. Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall was called for facemask penalty, adding another 15 yards to the play and putting Dallas in position to win it.“I don’t know who called it [the blitz]. But we gotta play what’s called and we .?.?. sure tried,” Hall said. “We’re not looking for moral victories. We came here to win and we didn’t. That’s all that matters.”Dallas placekicker Dan Bailey made his sixth field goal of the game from 40 yards to complete the comeback.“It hurts, man,” said Redskins strong safety LaRon Landry, who played for the first time since Nov. 15 last season. “It hurts we lost. But you’ve got to finish.”
Obviously, a 17-week race won’t be decided in Week 3 of the season. Plenty may go wrong. But in keeping with the Redskins’ optimism at the outset, let’s view the glass as half full.Even a few games are enough to provide proof. The small sampling is a good indicator. Finally following a team-building philosophy, the Redskins are better off, and the Eagles have not been as unstoppable as expected. Not even close.
After their shopping spree, the Eagles were the popular pick. Not only to win the division but, for many, to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.
Nnamdi Asomugha. Cullen Jenkins. Vince Young. Ronnie Brown. The Eagles went the high-profile route, adding proven veterans to the Michael Vick-led squad.The newcomers transformed the Eagles into a “Dream Team,” or so the thinking went. Philadelphia Coach Andy Reid had considerable talent with which to work. On paper, Philadelphia seemed unstoppable.