Dallas is hanging on by a seriously THIN thread as far as the NFC Playoffs and winning the NFC East are concerned. So it was of paramount important that they win tonight’s game over the Washington Redskins. The 19-16 Cowboys victory at FedEx Field was unsatisfying to the fans and media of both teams, but in the NFL winning like this is commonplace.
It took a DeSean Jackson (6 catches for 80 yards and 1 score) circuitous punt return and fumble that was recovered by Dallas punter Chris Jones, a Darren McFadden (14 carries for 53 yards and 1 score) touchdown run AND a Dan Bailey 54 yard field goal to pull out this victory for D-Town. 
The Cowboys (4-8 overall, 3-2 NFC East) need to go either 4-0 or 3-1 the rest of the season AND win the NFC East title, for them to make the NFC Playoffs and save head coach Jason Garrett’s job.
That will be a SUPER tall order for a team that is injury-plagued, an injury risk, and a team that is trying to rally behind essentially a number two or three quarterback in Matt Cassel.
Cassel who was 16 of 29 for 222 yards, no scores or no picks tonight, did the best he could tonight. But it was his receivers and Dallas’ bend-but-don’t-break defense that won this game for Dallas.
As for the Redskins (5-7 overall, 2-2 NFC East), they like the Cowboys didn’t wake up until the fourth quarter as far as scoring touchdowns was concerned.
Quarterback Kirk Cousins (22 of 31 for 219 yards and 1 scoring pass) had his best run in the second half with a lot of intermediate and short area completions to Jackson and fellow receiver Pierre Garcon (5 catches for 54 yards). And the way he was having consistency with those receivers and Washington receivers, one could have really though that the ‘Skins were really going to pull this game out in the fourth quarter. But it wasn’t to be.
With 14:15 left in the game, ‘Skins placekicker Dustin Hopkins came in and booted through the uprights a 46 yard field goal, which was his third successful field goal of the game. Washington now had a 9-6 lead.
Then near the 7:30 mark of the fourth period, Hopkins missed a field goal from 43 yards, which could gave given the ‘Skins a 12-6 lead and possibly a good chance at winning this game. Seeing as how the Cowboys had a hard time getting into the red zone or let alone scoring a touchdown in this game, that missed field goal was crucial at the time and as the game moved along.
Around three minutes later, a Dez Bryant 42 yard reception along his left sidelines and to the WAS 3 yard line, put the Cowboys in prime position to FINALLY score a touchdown. But hold it! Two successive McFadden runs up the middle on second (1 yard) and third (-1 yard) down, made the Cowboys send in Bailey to try a chip-shot 20 yard field goal. Of course Bailey made the field goal, and the game was tied up a 9-9 with around 4:20 left in the contest.
Jackson atoned for his aforementioned punt return fumble, with a 28 yard touchdown reception in front of Dallas cornerback Morris Claiborne. With 44 seconds left in the game, the Redskins tied the game at 16-16.
On the Cowboys last offensive drive of the game, Bryant (3 catches for 62 yards) was huge with a 2 catch for 20 yard performance that advanced the ‘Boys to the WAS 44. Then on 4th and 2 after a Cassel incompletion aimed at tight end Jason Witten (5 catches for 45 yards) and in front of the ‘Skins bench, the ‘Boys sent in Bailey for a 54 yard field goal. Bailey connected on that eventual game-winner to give his team a 19-16 lead and with just nine seconds left in the game.
Then on the ensuing kickoff, a multiple-lateral display by members of the Redskins’ kick return team went for naught. Game Over.
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