ARLINGTON, Texas—For the second consecutive week, the outcome for the Dallas Cowboys has rested on the right foot of Dan Bailey.
The rookie delivered both times.
Bailey drilled all six of his field-goal attempts Monday night, including the game winner with less than two minutes left, lifting Dallas to an 18-16 victory over the Washington Redskins before 91,017 fans at Cowboys Stadium.
The win pulled the Cowboys into the tie with Washington and the New York Giants for the NFC East lead at 2-1.
Bailey was instrumental in Dallas' first win, tying last week's game at San Francisco with a field goal at the end of regulation before winning it in overtime. As huge as his clutch kicking was this time out against a rival, the Cowboys defense deserves its own game ball.
"It was a good night," Bailey said. "The entire operation was good. We had good snaps, good holds, great protection. Washington was rushing pretty hard on all those field goals. It wasn't just me out there. I had the easy job."
As huge as his clutch kicking was this time out against a rival, the Cowboys defense, led by fiery first-year coordinator Rob Ryan, deserves its own game ball.
"It's unbelievable how guys are rising to the occassion and taking their roles to the next level," Cowboys linebacker Bradie James said.
The Redskins struggled to move the ball all night, and with a chance to pull it out on their last possession, quarterback Rex Grossman fumbled after being hit from behind by Cowboys linebacker Anthony Spencer. It ended Washington's shot at going 3-0 for the first time in six years.
Grossman's counterpart, Tony Romo, did move the Cowboys into position to win with the game hanging in the balance. Playing a week after suffering a punctured lung and fractured rib thanks to pain-killing shot taken before the game and a protective vest, Romo moved Dallas 64 yards in less than two minutes to set up Bailey's final kick with 1:47 to play.
The Cowboys almost saw their game-winning drive end before it really got started with another in a line of fumbles on the snap between Romo and center Phil Costa. Facing a third-and-21, Romo slipped out of trouble and found Dez Bryant for a 30-yard gain that was followed by a questionable 15-yard facemask penalty by Washington corner DeAngelo Hall.
Hall said before the game that he'd loved to take a hit at Romo's ribs if the opportunity was there. His personal foul set up Dallas on Washington's 25-yard line ended up being the blow that essentially did in the Redskins.
"I told the ref after that call, that might have been his worst call of the game," Hall said. "He's going to get demerit points for that call. Because that wasn't no facemask."
The Redskins took a 16-9 lead with the game's first touchdown on their first drive of the second half, driving 76 yards after cornerback Kevin Jones intercepted an overthrown Romo pass. The impressive march ended with Tim Hightower scoring on a short pass from Grossman.
The Cowboys picked up big chunks of yardage on their own on the ensuing possession. Jones' 29-yard run—Dallas' first this season of at least 10—and a pass to Witten up the seam put the Cowboys in position to tie the game again, but Washington held and Dallas settled for Bailey's fourth field goal.
Bailey split the uprights again after another long Dallas drive midway through the fourth quarter, leaving the Redskins up 16-15.
The first half was a field goal fest, with both teams trading three made kicks, though Washington had four tries. The chances to get seven points up on the board were there, including a turnover for each deep in opponent territory, but neither side was able to punch it in.
The opening possessions for each ended in scores, as big plays contributed to both drives. Grossman completed two long passes down the middle, while Dallas took advantage of an interference call and a dump off pass to Jones that went for 27 yards.
Washington kicker Graham Gano had a 36-yard try blocked after a bad snap, but he ended the first half with a career-long 50-yarder that made it 9-9 going into the locker room.
Game notes: WR Dez Bryant (thigh) and RB Felix Jones (shoulder) were active for Dallas despite being limited in practice all week. … Kickoff specialist David Buehler (groin) was out, leaving those duties to Bailey. … Washington S safety LaRon Landry played for the first time this season and forced a fumble. … Cowboys WR Miles Austin (hamstring) was inactive. … Jones rushed for 115 yards on 14 carries, his second career 100-yard game.
