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Collins, unusually accurate in third-and-long situations, found Moss for a 21-yard gain on third and 10 in the second quarter, setting up Shaun Suisham's 46-yard field goal. Dallas had an opportunity to swing momentum a few minutes later, when Collins was sacked and fumbled. The Cowboys took over at the Washington 18 but could not advance the ball, settling for a field goal instead.
Collins found Moss for another big gain on third and 10 as the half was coming to a close, getting Suisham in range for a 21-yard field goal, and the Redskins went to the half leading 13-3.
The Redskins had 14 first downs in the half, to just four for Dallas, held the ball for 19 minutes and outgained the Cowboys, 218-63, but the margin on the scoreboard was still close.
Washington went ahead 20-3 on its first possession of the third quarter. Again, the Redskins thrived on third down -- 9 for 15 in the game -- with Collins picking up 15 yards (to late-emerging Reche Caldwell) on third and seven and then 14 yards to Antwaan Randle El on third and four. Portis then scored from a yard out, and in the fourth quarter Moss completed the victory with a 42-yard touchdown catch, befuddling reserve corner Jacques Reeves with a stop-and-go move.
"Clinton's in peak form," said Joe Bugel, assistant head coach-offense. "Him and Santana Moss, they've kind of taken over. Those are the big play guys that we need, and they're making plays for us."
Defensively, the Redskins held an opponent to one touchdown or less for the fifth time in six games, and Dallas set a franchise low for rushing yards. Reserves continue to play well in starting roles -- veteran linebacker Randall Godfrey anchored the run game and second-year safety Reed Doughty (starting in Taylor's absence) broke up a likely touchdown pass in the end zone -- and a unit that ranked 31st a year ago is thriving.
"We're playing really strong," Williams said. "We're playing really focused. I like how we're playing."
Williams said he still sometimes gets emotional thinking about Taylor, and after this game several players noticed the fact that a late Dallas field goal made the final margin 21 points -- the number Taylor wore.
"Winning by 21, that's not a coincidence," said end Phillip Daniels, whose wife found the copy of the photo Williams used on a Web site, then printed. "There's something going on here that's bigger than us. This is all for Sean."
