A fumbled punt return by Washington's DeSean Jackson deep in his own territory led to Dallas' only touchdown and helped the Cowboys to a 19-16 win against the Redskins on Monday, tightening the mediocre NFC East conference.
Washington is tied with Philadelphia and the New York Giants on 5-7 records while the Cowboys are now only a game behind on 4-8 and in the thick of the playoff chase.
With a wild finish capping an otherwise dull game filled with turnovers, punts and penalties, the Cowboys won it through Dan Bailey's 54-yard field goal with nine seconds left.
After sharing just 18 points in the first 58 1/2 minutes, the teams combined for 17 in the last 1 1/2.
Dallas scored the game's first TD with 74 seconds remaining to lead 16-9 after recovering Jackson's fumble on an ill-advised return.
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He caught the ball at the 16-yard line, got past the 20 but then reversed course and ran back to the one. As he began a second advance he was surrounded and the ball popped out and was recovered by Dallas punter Chris Jones at the 15 with only 86 seconds left.
After the subsequent touchdown, Washington had time to tie it when Jackson made a 28-yard TD catch, but then Bailey hit the go-ahead kick.
The Cowboys won for the first time this season without Tony Romo at quarterback, and his replacement Matt Cassel - who had been 0-4 when starting this season - led Dallas 20 yards up the field on five plays to set up Bailey's fourth field goal of the game.
