T.O. TD spree lifts Cowboys over Redskins

IRVING, Texas — One snap went off Tony Romo's face, two went over his head. Then, coming out of the 2-minute warning before halftime, Romo went to the line and called a timeout.

As disjointed as the Dallas Cowboys were Sunday, they still found a way to beat the Washington Redskins 28-23.

Their secret? Throw it to Terrell Owens.

Owens caught touchdown passes of 4, 31, 46 and 52 yards, marking the first four-TD game of his career, to get the Cowboys to 9-1 for the first time since 1983. They've won four straight since losing to New England, this being the third in a row against division foes.

With Green Bay also winning Sunday, the teams remain tied atop the NFC with one game left before they meet at Texas Stadium a week from Thursday.

It wasn't as easy as it sounds, though. The Redskins (5-5) answered T.O.'s fourth TD with a touchdown, then forced the Cowboys to punt. Jason Campbell had Washington 19 yards from a go-ahead TD, but ruined it with an interception thrown right into the belly of Dallas' Terence Newman with 1:39 left.

Campbell got the ball back one more time. As time expired, he threw a 50-yard pass into the end zone, and guess who broke it up: Owens, who often goes in as a defender in desperation-pass situations.

"We keep making the big plays," coach Wade Phillips said. "I just think it shows the character of this team. We've done it all year and we did it again."

The Redskins came in needing a win to legitimize their hopes of remaining in the playoff chase. They were in great shape late in the third quarter, leading 10-7 and taking over on the Dallas 3 following an interception by linebacker Rocky McIntosh.

However, the Cowboys challenged and replay gave them the ball. They moved 51 yards on a pass-interference penalty on the next snap, then a few plays later Romo hit Owens in the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown. It was their second TD connection of the game and the 124th of Owens' career, passing Indianapolis' Marvin Harrison for No. 3 on the career list.

T.O. was only warming up.