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Harris helps Cowboys clip Redskins

Oct 14, 2013 - 5:09 AM Arlington, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - Dwayne Harris had an 86-yard punt return for a touchdown, and finished with 222 total return yards to help the Dallas Cowboys to a 31-16 win over the Washington Redskins in an NFC East clash on Sunday.

Tony Romo was 18-for-30 passing for 170 yards, a touchdown and an interception. DeMarco Murray and Joseph Randle added one rushing score apiece and Terrance Williams had a receiving touchdown for the Cowboys (3-3), who bounced back from a heartbreaking defeat to the Denver Broncos last week.

Murray and star defensive end DeMarcus Ware both sustained injuries in the first half and did not return for the second. Murray suffered an MCL sprain in his left knee, and Ware strained his right quadriceps.

Dallas will visit the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 7, with the teams tied atop the NFC East standings.

"They played pretty good tonight, but our defense and special teams stepped up. Everyone rose for the occasion, and we got the win," Romo said.

Robert Griffin III completed 19-of-39 passes for 246 yards, but threw an interception and also lost a fumble for the Redskins (1-4), who are 1-3 coming off the bye since Mike Shanahan took over as head coach in 2010.

"We're close on offense, but close doesn't do it in this league," Griffin remarked. "We did move the ball effectively the majority of the game, we just have to punch it in when we get in the red zone and finish those drives."

Alfred Morris finished with 81 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries in the setback.

Morris broke off a 45-yard touchdown run with just under four minutes left in the third to pull Washington within 21-16. Morris took the handoff on the right side, but cut back and accelerated through a series of arm tackles and into the end zone.

Things went downhill quickly for the Redskins from there, though.

After Kai Forbath missed a 49-yarder wide to the left, Dan Bailey nailed a 30- yarder early in the fourth to make it an eight-point game.

Griffin was stripped on the ensuing drive and Kyle Wilber recovered the ball at the Washington 3-yard line. Two plays later, Randle was able to cross the goal line with some help from center Travis Frederick, who pushed Randle and a group of tacklers into the end zone making it 31-16.

After getting the ball back, Griffin led the Redskins deep into Dallas territory, but on 2nd-and-7 from the 23, Griffin's pass intended for Santana Moss was intercepted in the end zone by Orlando Scandrick. Moss had tripped inside the five as the ball was in the air and Scandrick was able to make the catch and barely came down inbounds.

Washington had one last shot with just over three minutes left, but was stopped on fourth down, all but sealing the win for Dallas.

Dallas drove right down the field on the game's opening drive. A pair of penalties helped keep the march moving for the Cowboys, before Murray bulled his way in from four yards out.

Washington moved inside the Dallas 10-yard line on the ensuing possession, but Griffin was tackled at the 2-yard line on 3rd-and-goal and the Redskins were forced to settle for a 20-yard field goal from Forbath.

Harris' 86-yard punt return made it 14-3 with 2:26 remaining in the first half. After a sideline interference penalty on the Redskins negated a short punt return, Harris carved his way down the left sideline before a pair of Washington defenders collided, allowing Harris to cruise into the end zone.

Forbath nailed a 32-yarder in the closing seconds of the half to make it 14-6 at the break.

Forbath's 33-yarder capped a 10-play, 65-yard drive on Washington's first touch in the second half, but Harris returned the ensuing kickoff down to the Redskins' 15.

Two plays later, Romo connected with Williams in the back right corner of the end zone to make it 21-9. Williams was just able to keep his right foot on the ground long enough to gain possession in bounds.

Game Notes

Dallas had just 48 rushing yards ... Sean Lee made 10 tackles for the Cowboys ... Dallas took Frederick with the 31st overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft ... Washington rushed for 216 yards. Griffin finished with 77 yards on the ground ... The Redskins will host Chicago next week.