[LakerFan]

LANDOVER, Md. (Dec. 30) - Even the margin of victory reminded the playoff-bound Washington Redskins of Sean Taylor.

"I was on the sideline and guys were talking about the score, and then it hit me - we won by 21," veteran left tackle Chris Samuels said. "I came in the locker room and I yelled it out, and immediately I just kind of broke down in tears. Because I miss Sean, you know."

From disarray and heartache to confidence and dominance, the Redskins will enter the playoffs as the hottest team in the NFC after Sunday's 27-6 win over the Dallas Cowboys.

And with the hottest quarterback. And maybe the hottest running back. And with a defense coming off a game in which it allowed exactly 1 yard rushing.

And, perhaps most importantly, on a mission for the teammate who wore No. 21. It's been four weeks since the Redskins attended the funeral of their best defensive player, and they haven't lost since.

"Win for Sean" was as strong Sunday as it was when the four-game winning streak began Dec. 6, reinforced by everything from the fiery speech given by kick returner Rock Cartwright on the field before the game to the white "21" on the front of the black baseball cap worn by coach Joe Gibbs at his postgame news conference.

"We don't think it was by accident we won by 21," Gibbs was quoted by the Washington Post as saying after the game.

"Play for the guy who's on your jersey - the guy who's not here, who should be here," Cartwright said he told his teammates. "We know how he played the game. That's why I think guys came out and played so hard."

The Redskins (9-7) will travel to Seattle on Saturday for a 4:30 p.m. game, a rematch of a 2005 division playoff won 20-10 by the Seahawks. Washington will be riding the longest current winning streak in the NFC, including three straight victories by double digits. It's a remarkable renaissance for a team that stayed afloat with close, ugly games before losing four straight, the last defeat coming the day before Taylor's funeral.

"To think four weeks ago, where we were, and where we are tonight, it was a great experience and a great ride," said Gibbs, who has quieted doubters with perhaps the best performance of his Hall of Fame career. "To get in the playoffs was a dream of ours, and four weeks ago, obviously everybody would have said, 'You know, it looks next to impossible."'

:Bow: :Bow: :Bow: :Bow:

Let's go Skins!

[grea$e]

wheres the fine at?...isnt that t-shirt of ST21 breaking NFL celebration rules...

but congrats to the Skins..its crazy right now in Redskin town(DC/VA)

[Fresh27]

i watched the game last night and it was a really good game. santana moss made some great catches, portis had a couple of great runs and todd collins played pretty well in bad weather. sure the cowboys werent at full strength and didnt really have anything to play for but the redskins D shut down barber and jones with ease and romo looked very average.

i really look forward to seeing how they play in the playoffs and i hope they go further. great effort by them to make it and a nice tribute to sean.