The Washington Redskins beat the Dallas Cowboys 28-18 to clinch the NFC East, whereas their archrivals lost an opportunity to secure a place in the postseason.
Washington's running back Alfred Morris played a significant role in the Redskins comprehensive victory over the Cowboys. He had 200 yards and three touchdowns in 33 rushes, while quarterback Robert Griffin III had a 10-yard touchdown run against the Cowboys.
"These aren't ordinary rookies," cornerback DeAngelo Hall said.
With an outstanding win to clinch their first division title since 1999, the Redskins also secured the final playoff berth.
"I was 9 years old in 1999," the Associated Press quoted Griffin as saying. "So I stand before you at 22, and the Redskins are the NFC East champions.
"To me, talking to Alfred after the game, it's the first time the Redskins have been champs since '99 and we came in and we did it in one year. The sky's the limit for this team."
In the first quarter, both teams displayed strong defense and the period ended in a tie.
In the second quarter, Jason Witten received a pass from Tony Romo for 9-yard TD and Dan Bailey added a point after the touchdown to give Dallas a 7-0 lead with 7.59 remaining in the half.
Soon, Morris ran for a 17-yard TD as the scores were tied at 7-7.
Griffin III then gave Washington the lead with his own a 10-yard rushing touchdown, as the Redskins led 14-7 at the end of the third quarter.
At the start of the fourth quarter, Dallas' Bailey converted a 48-yard field goal to cut Washington's lead to 14-10 with 14.09 left.
Soon Morris extended the Redskins' lead to 21-10 with his second TD with 10.32 remaining.
The Cowboys fought back behind Romo, who threw a TD pass to Kevin Ogletree. Cowboys went for a two-point conversion and Romo's pass to Dwayne Harris was converted with the scores reading 21-18 in Washington's favor.
Morris, however, put the game beyond doubt by rushing for his third, running to the left for a one yard gain.
Washington won their seventh straight game to become the only team since Jacksonville Jaguars in 1996, to come back from a 3-6 record to clinch a playoff spot.
The Redskins (10-6) will host the Seattle Seahawks (11-5) in the first round of the playoffs next Sunday at FedExField. Washington lost to Seattle in 2005 and 2007.
"I've been here for the 4-12, the bad times, almost being the joke of the NFL," veteran defensive lineman Kedric Golston said. "But to do this with this group of guys -- the old and the new -- it's good to be here."
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