IRVING, Tex., Dec. 26 -- Washington Redskins cornerback Shawn Springs squinted at the bright lights of Texas Stadium when he stepped onto the field. The roars of Dallas spectators psyched for the game against the hated Redskins seemed louder than usual.
After the opening kickoff, Springs's stamina wasn't the same as usual. And his right shoulder, not fully mended from a sprain, intermittently throbbed. But nothing was as off-kilter as his mental sharpness -- recalling the plays and aligning with precision in the complicated defense of Gregg Williams.
"I don't think I ever really got back in a groove," said Redskins' Shawn Springs, back after a concussion.
(Toni L. Sandys -- The Washington Post)
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| Game Day: Dallas 13, Redskins 10
• Vinny Testaverde hits a 39-yard touchdown pass with 30 seconds left to lift the Cowboys.
• Michael Wilbon: Is Patrick Ramsey a good enough quarterback?
• Shawn Springs has big game despite not being 100 percent.
• Play of the Game: Patrick Crayton catches game-winning pass in stride.
• Notebook: Injury likely to keep Clinton Portis from 1,500 yards.
• Best & Worst
• Sunday's Post: NFL's 'Greatest Rivalry' is now just another game.
____ On Our Site ____
• Photos
• Summary
• Grade the Redskins.
• Talk about the game.
• Try our postgame quiz.
_____ Road Skid _____
On Dec. 3, 1995, the Redskins won in Dallas, 24-17. They haven't beaten the Cowboys on the road since.
| Date | Result | | Dec. 3, 1995 | W, 24-17 | | Nov. 28, 1996 | L, 21-10 | | Nov. 16, 1997 | L, 17-14 | | Dec. 27, 1998 | L, 23-7 | | Oct. 24, 1999 | L, 38-20 | | Dec. 10, 2000 | L, 32-13 | | Oct. 15, 2001 | L, 9-7 | | Nov. 28, 2002 | L, 27-20 | | Nov. 2, 2003 | L, 21-14 | | Dec. 26, 2004 | L, 13-10 | _____ E-mail Newsletter _____
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_____ NFL Insider _____
• Post's Mark Maske on all things NFL -- only on washingtonpost.com.
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| ____ NFL Playoff Picture ____
NFC
Already In
• Eagles (13-2)*
• Falcons (11-4)
• Packers (9-6)
• Seahawks (8-7)
* Clinched home field.
The Other Two Spots
• Vikings (8-7)
• Rams (7-8)
• Panthers (7-8)
• Saints (7-8)
• The Vikings make the playoffs with a Rams loss or tie; or a victory against the Redskins.
• The Rams win the NFC West with a win and a Seattle loss.
• If the Rams lose, the winner of the Panthers-Saints game gets a playoff spot. AFC
Already In
• Steelers (14-1)*
• Patriots (13-2)
• Colts (12-3)
• Chargers (11-4)
* Clinched home field. The Other Two Spots
• Jets (10-5)
• Broncos (9-6)
• Bills (9-6)
• Ravens (8-7)
• Jaguars (8-7)
The Jets and Broncos earn playoff berths with victories. The other teams need victories and some help.
_____ Week 16 Results _____
Sunday
• Dallas 13, Washington 10
• Pittsburgh 20, Baltimore 7
• N.O. 26, Atlanta 13
• Houston 21, Jacksonville 0
• Indiana. 34, San Diego 31 (OT)
• Detroit 19, Chicago 13
• Cincinnati 23, N.Y. Giants 22
• New England 23, N.Y. Jets 7
• Buffalo 41, San Francisco 9
• Carolina 37, Tampa Bay 20
• Seattle 24, Arizona 21
• Miami 10, Cleveland 7
Monday
• St. Louis 20, Philadelphia 7
Saturday
• Kansas City 31, Oakland 30
• Denver 37, Tennessee 16
Friday
• Green Bay 34, Minnesota 31
What's Your Opinion?
• Who's going to win this week?
Two-Minute Drill
• Stars and stats from Week 16
_____ Pro Bowl Vote _____
Note: This is an unscientific survey of washingtonpost.com readers.
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Springs started his 14th game of the season Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys. But all the sensations of the 13-10 loss felt odd since Springs missed last week's game because of injuries stemming from a concussion.
"It was loud today. It was bright," Springs said in Washington's dreary, somber locker room. "I felt like it was my first day starting all over again. It was new to me. A lot of things I had to recall was hard for me at first. Just getting my reaction time back, it was tough for me to remember some of my calls and different things like that. That was more of a challenge for me today, just trying to remember some things."
Springs masked his sluggishness by collecting his team-high fifth interception, his fourth sack and seven tackles (six solo) and playing hounding defense. He resembled the playmaker who was named an alternate to the Pro Bowl in his first season with the Redskins.
But Springs wasn't satisfied with his performance, which ended with a downer after rookie Patrick Crayton scored a touchdown with 30 seconds remaining after initially being defended by Springs.
"I don't think I ever really got back in a groove," said Springs, whose father, Ron, played running back for the Cowboys from 1979 to 1984. "I made some plays that sometimes would be a little more tougher for me. I made a few plays but that's nothing."
Springs apparently wasn't to blame on Crayton's stunning last-minute score, which gave the Redskins their ninth straight loss at Texas Stadium.
On third and three from the Washington 39-yard line, Springs lined up on the left side across from Crayton. Springs played him closely and bumped the receiver after he left the line of scrimmage. Then Springs allowed Crayton to release down the right sideline, assuming he would be picked up by rookie safety Sean Taylor. But Taylor went toward the inside receiver, Keyshawn Johnson, and got back too late to prevent Crayton's first NFL touchdown.
After the play, Washington's defensive backs had their hands on their waists and exchanged glances as if confused about what transpired. Springs declined to place blame on the play, only making comments about expecting a different coverage.
Springs was knocked unconscious for about a minute two weeks ago during a 17-14 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at FedEx Field when he was blocked by fullback Josh Parry. Springs was transported to Virginia Hospital Center to stay overnight for further testing. Although there was no neurological damage, Springs suffered a bruised chest and a separated right shoulder -- injuries that kept him out of practice until last week.
Springs described his condition after the concussion as feeling groggy or like someone who just woke up from a nap.
Springs's shoulder was still ailing last week, but he insisted on returning to the lineup Sunday and was given clearance to play.
Springs was left off the NFC's Pro Bowl team this week despite having a strong season for the NFL's second-ranked defense. Springs -- who was named a third alternate -- provides such tight man-to-man coverage that Williams can call blitzes with abandon. Cornerback Fred Smoot, named a second alternate, has also performed well, but Springs has defended most of the top opposition receivers.
After the snub, Springs -- who starred at Silver Spring's Springbrook High -- declared that no other cornerback has played as well as he this season.
He was signed in March to replace perennial Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey, receiving a $10 million bonus.
Tailback Clinton Portis, who came from the Denver Broncos in the trade of Bailey, praised Springs for returning from a concussion to finish the season. Portis said that he has been hit so hard that he has had to take plays off after feeling woozy, so he could only imagine what it felt like to be knocked out.
"That pretty much sums up this whole team all year long," Portis said. "Players coming back, fighting back through bumps and bruises."
Late in the third quarter, the Cowboys were ahead 6-3 and had a third and goal from the Washington 6. Springs leaped in front of a pass to Keyshawn Johnson and maneuvered 38 yards in front of an armada of blockers to the Washington 35-yard line.
"Shawn was playing well," said linebacker LaVar Arrington. "I think they thought that they could take advantage of him, and he played well. I'm proud of him stepping up. We had a lot of guys go down and he stood in there even though he was fresh off of that concussion. Guys fought hard. It was unfortunate it had to end that way."
