Fitzgerald Cecilio

Robert Griffin III threw 20-for-28 for 311 yards with 4 touchdowns and the Washington Redskins edged the Dallas Cowboys, 38-31, Thursday at Cowboys Stadium.

The Redskins kept themselves in the thick of the playoff race after salvaging a big win against division rival Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day.

Griffin was spectacular in his first game in Dallas since leaving Baylor for the 2012 NFL Entry Draft, tearing a listless Cowboys defense with sharp passes and evading most of the tackles with superb athleticism on his way to recording his fifth win as a pro.

After a defensive oriented first period, the action picked up in the second quarter as Griffin fired three TD passes and Alfred Morris scored a rushing TD to give the 'Skins a huge 28-3 halftime lead.

However, Dallas got more help from a more solid defensive and an 85-yard TD play from Tony Romo to Dez Bryant to trim Washington's lead to 28-13 with still a quarter to go.

But Griffin could not be denied of a win in his Texas homecoming as the reigning Heisman Trophy winner hooked up with Nike Paul for 29-yard TD play and 35-13 advantage in the fourth.

Romo tried to rally the Cowboys back with his two TD passes but found little time to operate a comeback.

The result puts Redskins (5-6) and Cowboys (5-6) in a tie for second place in the NFC East, just two games behind division leader New York Giants (6-4).

RG3 Throws Four Touchdown Passes, Redskins Topple Cowboys 38-31 on Thanksgiving - NFL 2012 Week 12