Coming into this game, there was a logjam atop the NFC East, with four teams still in contention for the division title. The Redskins knew they would need to win their final two games, both against division rivals, to ensure a playoff spot at all.

Early in the game, Dallas appeared determined to take their fate into their own hands, and built a 21-6 halftime lead behind three Danny White TD passes. But the Redskins battled back in the third quarter, sparked by a Darrell Green interception for a TD. The Skins took the lead going into the fourth quarter after a Theismann TD pass and another field goal. Dallas and White struck again in the fourth with another TD pass, and it took another Washington drive capped by a Riggins run to pull out the crucial victory.