Redskins savor the feeling

WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Marcus Washington paraded around the Redskins locker room, carrying a mini-boom box on his shoulder while interrupting interviews one minute, shouting to no one in particular the next. Players hung around the locker room longer than normal, exchanging can-you-believe-what happened stories with one another.

The swing of emotions ... a season that was about to turn ugly now suddenly with life ... a last-second field goal. The Redskins experienced it all in their 22-19 win over visiting Dallas on Sunday. The win comes several days after a players-only meeting was held, trying to right the season

“I’ve never felt that feeling before,” Redskins guard Randy Thomas said. “That’s the football gods, you know what I mean? I’d hate to be on the other end of that. … We’ve been through so much.”

But Thomas and the Redskins (3-5) were on the right end of this one, thanks to a number of big plays culminating in Nick Novak’s 47-yard game-winning field goal on the final play. The ball snuck in just inside the right upright, helping him atone for a 49-yard miss 35 seconds earlier.

“I’ve never experienced anything like that,” said Redskins coach Joe Gibbs, who raised his arms and waved to the crowd as he left, even high-fiving a fan or two. “This was an exceptional experience.”

The Redskins, who led, 5-0, after a first-quarter safety and field goal, got touchdowns from Clinton Portis on a 38-yard run and from Chris Cooley on an 18-yard catch; the latter tying the score at 19.

The win snaps a three-game losing streak.

“This team feels great right now,” end Phillip Daniels said. “A game like this could turn your season around.”

Skins Notes

» Cornerback Carlos Rogers sensed frustration from Dallas receiver Terrell Owens. Part of it, Rogers said, was because the Redskins constantly jammed him. Owens finished with seven catches for 76 yards, but dropped a couple passes.

“He was cussing and getting mad,” Rogers said. “I saw him talking to Tony [Romo] a couple times that he wasn’t throwing him the ball.”

» Receiver Brandon Lloyd finished with only two catches for 26 yards, but drew a 48-yard pass interference penalty on Washington’s game-tying drive early in the fourth quarter. Another long reception was nullified by a holding penalty.

“With Santana [Moss] out, we knew we would get favorable coverages,” Lloyd said, “and we could do the things I’m really good at, the double moves and going deep.”

» Joe Gibbs on Sean Taylor’s 30-yard return of the blocked field goal: “He has an unusual way of making things happen. He would make a great running back.”

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