LANDOVER, Md. -- A few thoughts on the Dallas Cowboys' 44-17 win against the Washington Redskins on Sunday at FedEx Field:
What it means: The Cowboys enter the playoffs on a four-game winning streak and playing their best football of the season, which played a part in why coach Jason Garrett chose to use his regulars for as long as he did Sunday.
The Cowboys’ 12-4 record is their best since a 13-3 finish in 2007, when they had home-field advantage in the playoffs but lost in the divisional round. These Cowboys are hoping to have a better postseason showing than that team.
If they have the offensive efficiency they have displayed in this streak, they could be a tough out. On a day in which DeMarco Murray broke Emmitt Smith’s team record for rushing yards in a season and Dez Bryant broke Terrell Owens’ team mark for touchdown catches in a season, the Cowboys scored on their first five possessions to take a 27-7 lead.
Road warriors: For the second time in franchise history, the Cowboys finished with a perfect record on the road. The Cowboys were 7-0 away from home in 1968. This is their first 8-0 road finish, and they are the 11th team in NFL history to finish with a road record of 7-0 or better. In all likelihood the Cowboys will have to go on the road at some point in the playoffs. Why is their road record a good omen? Eight of the previous 10 teams to finish perfect on the road played in the Super Bowl or NFL Championship Game. Only three, however, came away with the title.
Game ball: There is a dilemma in choosing the Cowboys’ MVP for the season. Is it the NFL’s leading rusher, Murray, or quarterback Tony Romo, who has posted a career-high passer rating and completion percentage? This will likely hurt their candidacies in the league MVP vote as well. But Romo gets the nod because we saw what happened in the one game he did not play. The Cowboys’ offense was stagnant. In the final month, Murray’s numbers have slowed, but Romo’s productivity has increased with his best close to a season of his career. In a league that’s built around quarterback play, it’s hard to go against one who has thrown 34 touchdown passes to just nine interceptions.
Stock watch: The Redskins scored on their third play from scrimmage on a 69-yard catch by DeSean Jackson. They didn’t reach the end zone again until 6:45 remained in the game. Cornerbacks Orlando Scandrick and Brandon Carr locked down the receivers. Bruce Carter had two interceptions, giving him five on the season. The defense had two fourth-down stops and did not allow a point in three of four red zone trips by Washington. Anthony Spencer capped it with a fumble return for a score after a Terrell McClain sack in the fourth quarter. They might not be pretty all the time, but they have been more effective than anybody could have imagined.
What’s next: Bring on the playoffs. The Cowboys have to wait for the afternoon games to finish before they will know their opponent or whether they will get a bye. They do know they will have at least one playoff game at AT&T Stadium.
