Dallas Cowboys Defeat the Washington Redskins With...Defense and Special Teams?

It may not have been pretty, but it got the job done.

The Dallas Cowboys defeated the Washington Redskins 18-16 Monday night with a plethora of field goals from rookie kicker Dan Bailey and stellar play from Rob Ryan's defense. 

Bailey, an undrafted rookie from Oklahoma State and former Lou Groza Award winner, was a perfect 6-for-6 on his field goal attempts, accounting for all of the Cowboys points on the evening. As for the defense, they were stifling, keeping Rex Grossman under pressure for much of the game, forcing two turnovers and three sacks. 

While this performance may not look great on paper, Cowboys fans should look at this victory in a positive light. After all, when is the last time that Dallas secured a victory depending almost exclusively on their defense and kicking game? 

This should be a welcome sight to Dallas fanatics. Tony Romo was obviously feeling the effects of injury and with the absence of Miles Austin, the offense looked highly unorganized (Phil Costa, learn the snap count please, you are the center after all), and they failed to score a touchdown.

And they won...without scoring a touchdown.

Dallas won two-thirds of the game, and it was enough to snatch the W. Every team plays poorly from time to time, but good teams find a way to make up for it and still pull out the win. Great teams do it with consistency.

If Dallas can continue to play at a high-level on defense and Bailey can be the consistent kicker that the Cowboys have lacked for so long, the NFC should take notice.

The Cowboys just might be a contender.