Washington Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson (11) pulls in a pass for a touchdown as Dallas Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne (24) reaches for him during the second half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Monday, Dec. 7, 2015.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Washington Redskins running back Matt Jones (31) is stopped by the Dallas Cowboys defense including strong safety Barry Church (42) and free safety J.J. Wilcox (27) during the first half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Monday, Dec. 7, 2015.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Matt Cassel (16) is hauled down by Washington Redskins linebacker Mason Foster (54) during the second half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Monday, Dec. 7, 2015.
(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
AP Photo/Patrick Semansky
Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) scrambles out of the reach of Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle David Irving (95) during the second half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Monday, Dec. 7, 2015.
(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
AP Photo/Patrick Semansky
Dallas Cowboys running back Darren McFadden (20) rolls backwards into the end zone for a touchdown as Washington Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall (23) tries to stop him during the second half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Monday, Dec. 7, 2015.
(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
AP Photo/Patrick Semansky
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Matt Cassel (16) bobbles the ball under pressure form Washington Redskins defensive end Chris Baker (92) during the first half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Monday, Dec. 7, 2015.
(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
AP Photo/Patrick Semansky
Washington Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson (11) pulls in a pass for a touchdown as Dallas Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne (24) reaches for him during the second half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Monday, Dec. 7, 2015.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Washington Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson (11) fumbles the ball on a kickoff return setting up a Dallas Cowboys touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Monday, Dec. 7, 2015. The Cowboys defeated the Redskins 19-16.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) passes the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Landover, Md., Monday, Dec. 7, 2015.
(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
AP Photo/Patrick Semansky
Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey (5) celebrates his game winning field goal with his teammates during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins in Landover, Md., Monday, Dec. 7, 2015. The Dallas Cowboys defeated the Washington Redskins 19-16.
(AP Photo/Mark Tenally)
AP Photo/Mark Tenally
Dallas Cowboys running back Darren McFadden (20) is stopped short of the goal line by Washington Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall (23) and defensive end Chris Baker (92) during the second half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Monday, Dec. 7, 2015.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Washington Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson (11) pulls in a touchdown pass while defended by Dallas Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne (24) during the second half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Monday, Dec. 7, 2015.
(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
AP Photo/Patrick Semansky
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) pulls in a pass under pressure from Washington Redskins cornerback Will Blackmon (41) during the second half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Monday, Dec. 7, 2015.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey (5) celebrates with his teammates after kicking the game-winning field goal during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins in Landover, Md., Monday, Dec. 7, 2015. The Cowboy defeated the Redskins 19-16.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Washington Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson (11) fumbles the ball on a kickoff return setting up a Dallas Cowboys touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Monday, Dec. 7, 2015. The Cowboys defeated the Redskins 19-16.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
WASHINGTON — For the Redskins it is as much about journey as it is the destination.
In the wake of Monday’s 19-16 loss to the Cowboys, the Redskins should be angry. The burgundy and gold had a chance to show it was ready to move forward and become more than just another team in the muddled mediocre NFC east.
The Cowboys did not have Tony Romo, but the Redskins did not expect a free pass to victory. The NFL is still an on any given Sunday league — or in this case on any given Monday league — a place where favored teams only exist on paper. Ask the New England Patriots this week after their loss to the Eagles.
Still, a home game with sole possession of first place in the NFC East on the line should have provided the focus necessary for the Redskins to avoid racking up the kind of penalties that stunted the team’s progress on offense. The result was a night of kicks that ended with one swift kick.
Now we look to learn more about this Redskins team as it heads to Chicago in search of its first road win of the season. The track record of this edition of the Redskins indicates Monday’s setback should strengthen the team’s resolve.
The journey to the Redskins’ goal of the post season is now more difficult and in the end that might benefit the burgundy and gold’s long term growth.
Dave Johnson is Senior Sports Director and morning sports anchor. He first arrived at WTOP in 1989, left in 1992 and returned in 1995. He is a three-time winner of the A.I.R. award as best radio sportscaster in D.C. In 2008 he won the Edward R. Murrow award for best writing for sports commentaries.
