SportsDirect Inc. staff
Sep 26, 2011
Dan Bailey kicked six field goals to tie an NFL rookie record, including a 40-yarder with 1:47 to play, to lift the Dallas Cowboys to an 18-16 victory over the Washington Redskins on Monday night.
Felix Jones rushed for a career-high 115 yards to prevent Dallas from losing its first three home openers at Cowboys Stadium.
Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, playing with a fractured rib, started the winning drive from his own 14-yard line with 3:44 to play to set up the winning kick.
Dallas' defense sealed the victory when Anthony Spencer stripped Redskins quarterback Rex Grossman of the ball and the Cowboys recovered the fumble at the Washington 40.
Romo converted the biggest play of the game when he hit wide receiver Dez Bryant with a 30-yard pass on a third-and-21 with 2:08 remaining.
Washington, which was attempting to start 3-0 for the first time since 2005, was flagged for a facemask penalty on the play, giving the Cowboys a first down at the Redskins' 25.
Romo threw for 255 yards on 22-of-36 passing but saw his franchise-record streak of throwing a touchdown in 20 straight games come to an end.
Grossman finished 22 of 37 for 250 yards with one touchdown, one interception and the fumble.
He connected with Tim Hightower for the game's only touchdown, a 1-yard pass that gave the Redskins a 16-9 lead with 4 minutes to play in the third quarter.
Graham Gano and Bailey each booted three field goals in the first half to send the teams into the locker rooms tied 9-9.
Each team was unable to capitalize on a turnover in the red zone, settling for three points on both occasions.