It wasn't pretty, but the Dallas Cowboys avoided losing a second consecutive game on Sunday, edging the Washington Redskins with a late Patrick Crayton touchdown catch, 7-6.
Shaun Suisham, who hadn't missed a field goal coming into Sunday, gave the Redskins a 3-0 lead in the second quarter with a 45 yarder; however, he would turn in an uncharacteristically spotty performance on the day. He missed from 31 yards to close the half and, after hitting a 31 yarder in the third quarter to give Washington a 6-0 lead, he missed from 50 yards on an attempt that would have made it a two-possession game for Dallas.
Dallas's Tony Romo, who struggled to settle in through three quarters, finally hit his stride in the fourth, going 7 of 8 through the air on what was to be the game-winning drive. From the ten, Romo snaked out of the grasp of Washington's Brian Orakpo, finding a streaking Patrick Crayton in the end zone for the game-tying touchdown.
Dallas grabbed the lead on the extra point.
On the ensuing drive, Jason Campbell's pass was tipped at the line by Stephen Bowen and snared by Anthony Spencer for his first interception on the year, effectively sealing a homely win for the Cowboys.
Despite a win and a week more in first place, Dallas, particularly the offense, was left with plenty of questions on Sunday. Romo had an unimpressive day, going 16 for 27, for 153 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Marion Barber was consistently effective, going for 99 yards on 20 carries, but he ended a promising drive with a fumble. Play-calling, although improved from last week, was suspect to some degree once more.
The offense once lauded for its versatility and dynamism has scored only 14 points in eight quarters, and Jason Garrett has less than a week to figure it out, as Dallas plays Oakland on Thanksgiving Day.
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With the win, Dallas moves to 7-3 on the season. Washington falls to 3-7.
