Owens' 4 TDs spark Cowboys over 'Skins

Section: Sports

Jaime Aron, AP Sports Writer

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. T.O. picked up the loose ball and ran off with it as fans heaved a sigh of relief.

"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.

He capped each of the next two drives with long touchdowns, the first coming down the middle of the field — with a dunk over the crossbar in celebration, followed by chants of "T! O!" from the crowd — and the second coming on the right sideline after eluding a defender around the 25.

His last three scores came in a span of 11 plays and were his only catches of the second half. He finished with eight grabs for 173 yards, his fourth straight 100-yard game. His four TDs also tie a club record accomplished only once, by Bob Hayes in 1970. With 12 touchdowns, he tied New England's Randy Moss for the NFL lead, although Moss was playing Sunday night.

"What can you say about a receiver who catches eight passes, four for TDs?" Phillips said.

Romo was 22-of-32 for 293 yards. The four touchdown throws give him 27 this season, third-most in team history.

Campbell was 33-of-54 for 348 yards, the most by a Washington quarterback since 2003. He also lost a fumble.

Santana Moss, playing with a specially rigged cleat to protect a bruised right heel, caught nine passes for 121 yards and a touchdown, all in the second half. His late success conjured memories of a Monday night game two years ago, when the Redskins rallied for a victory with two touchdowns in the final 3:46.

Chris Cooley caught eight passes for 89 yards and a touchdown, and Shaun Suisham kicked three field goals.

Clinton Portis ran for only 36 yards after going over 100 two straight games, but he had only 12 carries as the Redskins opted to throw, throw and throw some more