Here is a look at the most interesting numbers from the Washington Redskins 14-13 nail-biting victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football:
159 – Number of yards that Santana Moss put up in receptions on Monday. It’s the most receiving yardage posted by a Redskin since Michael Westbrook posted 159 yards in a losing effort against the same Cowboys back in September of 1999.
90 – The number of rushing yards allowed by the Washington defense. For the second straight week, the stifling front seven of the Redskins held the opposition to less than 100-yards on the ground (41-yards vs. Chicago). Julius Jones managed just 81 yards on 22 carries.
77 – The number of games in a row that Cowboys coach Bill Parcells had won in a row when leading by 13 points in the fourth quarter… that number is memorable because it is the number at which the streak stops.
70 – Moss’ second touchdown of the night was a 70-yard bomb from Mark Brunell. Some other interesting numbers from that play… 24 and 21… Brunell threw the ball from his 24-yard line and Moss caught it on the 21-yard line, making for another significant number of 55 yards through the air on the arm of Brunell. The play may go a long way in dispelling the preconception that Brunell’s arm is dead and the Redskins will not be able to stretch the field with him at quarterback. In front of a nation-wide audience, Brunell showed that he could still get the ball down field… twice.
50 – The number of seconds that the Cowboys were able to run off the clock when they got the ball back with just under 4 minutes to go and up 13-7. Despite getting to run six plays after earning a first down, the Cowboys inexplicably threw the ball four times and gave the Redskins the ball back with just under three minutes to go. It was more than enough time for Brunell to complete the game-winning 70-yard touchdown pass to Moss.
39 – The number of yards in Moss’ first touchdown reception of the night.
27:53 – In Gibbs’ ball control offense, the time of possession is always a significant number. The Redskins need to be on the high side of 30 minutes to earn most of their victories, but two touchdown passes spanning 100-plus yards went a long way in making TOP a non-determining factor this week.
25 – The longest run of the day for either team. It came from Brunell on a 3rd and 27 and set up a much more manageable 4th down when the Redskins looked down and out. Brunell took off running when the receivers were all covered down field and after beating a Cowboy in the open field, he slid headfirst to give the Redskins a very make-able two-yards to go. Brunell hit James Thrash in the flat on the fourth down conversion and turned that two yards into twenty. That drive ended in Washington’s first touchdown.
12 – The number of penalties that Washington posted against the Cowboys. One of the few disappointing numbers of the performance, but one that will likely be addressed this week at Redskin Park. Those 12 penalties yielded another significant number as well – 80 yards.
3.1 – The very average yards per carry that Clinton Portis posted against the Cowboys. Dallas held Portis to just 52 yards on 17 carries. Two of those numbers will need to increase if Washington is to continue their undefeated ways… 3.1 and 17. The Redskins need to run more successfully, and the Redskins need to get Portis more opportunities. Playing catch-up took the ball out of Clinton’s hands early, but Washington has to stick with their bread and butter throughout 2005.
2 – The number of victories the Redskins have in 2005. Once again, all other numbers and statistics are actually insignificant.
1 – The number of wins in the Redskins’ winning streak over the Cowboys.
Edit: This blog was archived in May of 2016 from our original articles database.It was originally posted by Mark Solway