Redskins take firm grip on NFC East after win over Dallas

The Redskins entered FedEx Field Sunday with a golden opportunity to take leadership in the NFC East. They left as the NFC East leaders.

Thankfully for the Washington Redskins, in the National Football League, style points don’t exist. Whether it’s pretty or ugly, football is the ultimate numbers game. By the time both head coaches meet at mid-field when the final whistle sounds, the only numbers that count appear on the scoreboard. A flashy win and an ugly win share one important variable. They are both wins, and at the end of the day, that is what matters the most.

Sunday’s 20-17 win against the Cowboys did a couple of things for the burgundy and gold. For one, it proved that Jay Gruden’s squad can build off of wins and success, and can string together two good weeks of football. Second, it ended the four-game losing streak that the Redskins found themselves in against Dallas before Sunday.

Third and most importantly, the Redskins took advantage of the ultimate opportunity that was presented at their feet. With the unfathomably entertaining fourth quarter collapse of the Philidelphia Eagles to Cam Newton’s Panthers on Sunday, the Redskins victory over the Cowboys became even more important. A win they dearly needed was a win they most definitely earned.

Washington Commanders

Adrian Peterson looks as if he is getting younger, and it became clearer on Sunday when he ran Ezekiel Elliot and the Dallas Cowboys out of the stadium. Other than the ageless wonder that is Adrian Peterson, the Redskins offense did little to nothing to put Dallas away.

Washington’s defense, however, has completely redefined its identity. It has been a long time since Redskins fans can say that a defense has single-handedly won them games. It is hard to not watch Sunday’s tilt against Dallas and think that this revamped defensive line pairing of Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne is not putting the entire league on notice.

Before the game, I mentioned how Dallas had only one real identity, and he wears No. 21. Dallas, over the years, has done nothing but completely trample the Redskins on the ground. Whether it was Elliot in the past few years, Demarco Murray a few years ago, or even Marrion Barber going back to 2005, Dallas has always had their way with the Redskins in the trenches.

Not this time.

While some Washington fans are panicking over another pedestrian offensive performance, the Redskins are subtly changing their identity, and it is one that should give fans a reason to be hopeful. The NFL is moving in the direction of heavy passing offenses and high scoring affairs, but the Redskins are taking a page directly from the book of Joe Gibbs. They are building between the tackles, with the hope of establishing the run game first, and stopping opposing teams from running. So far, they are finding ways to win by doing just that.

It may not be the prettiest form of football, but its giving Washington fans what the have been asking for. Wins.

For the Redskins, 4-2 is what they take to the Meadowlands to face a Giants team that looks to have a first-class flight to a top-five draft pick in next year’s draft. Opportunity is knocking once more for the Skins, and it’s time for them to answer again.

For Washington fans, victory Monday felt good. That Cowboy’s fan from work who meets you at the water cooler to trash talk is hiding behind his desk this week. The Giants are next, and 5-2 is right around the corner if the burgundy and gold can keep things going.

It will be a busy week of practice ahead, but for now, it’s good to be a Redskins fan.

That’s right folks! It’s okay to believe.