Fitzgerald Cecilio

The Washington Redskins relied on rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III and neophyte rusher Alfred Morris to beat the Dallas Cowboys, 28-10, and clinch the NFC East title Sunday at FedEx Field.

Morris ran for 200 yards on 33 carries and three touchdowns while Griffin rushed for another to carry the Redskins to their first division title in 13 years.

With his performance, Morris eclipsed Clinton Portis' team record for rushing yards in a season with 1,516 yards in 2005. Morris now has 1,613 rushing yards.

Griffin completed nine of 18 passes for 100 yards and rushed for 63 yards on six carries as the Redskins' rushers gained 274 ground yards compared to just 100 by the Cowboys.

Linebacker Rob Jackson had a key interception in the dying minutes to dash the Cowboys' comeback hopes. Cornerbacks Richard Crawford and Josh Wilson also picked off quarterback Tony Romo in the first period.

The Redskins' seventh straight win completed their resurgence from a 3-6 record to make the playoffs, becoming the first team to do so since the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1996.

The victory put the Redskins (10-6) in a collision course with the Seattle Seahawks next Sunday.

Romo completed 20 of 37 passes for 218 yards and two touchdowns but had three interceptions and wide receiver Dez Bryant had 71 yards on four catches as the Cowboys (8-8) failed to make the playoffs for the third straight year.

Jason Witten and Kevin Ogletree caught Romo's two touchdown heaves while DeMarco Murray rushed for 76 yards on 17 carries for Dallas.

Romo opened the first period with a nine-yard touchdown pass to Witten but Morris and Griffin delivered back-to-back touchdown runs to take a 14-7 lead at the break.

A 48-yard field goal by Dan Bailey made it 14-10 before Morris ran for his second touchdown of the game to give the Redskins a 21-10 cushion.

Romo then found Ogletree for a 10-yard touchdown pass and completed a two-point conversion to Dwayne Harris to cut the deficit to 21-18.

The Cowboys had a chance to take the lead but Romo's pass was intercepted by Jackson before Morris scored on a one-yard touchdown run to put the game away.

 

Rookies Carry Redskins Over Dallas Cowboys to Win NFC East Title - NFL 2012 Week 17