Washington Informer

The Washington Redskins played their first Thanksgiving Day game under Coach George Allen in Detroit in 1973. The Redskins shut out the Lions en route to a 20-0 win on their way to a 10-4 season.

However, since that time, the Redskins had a 0-6 record on Thanksgiving Day with all the losses coming in Dallas. But that all changed Thursday when the Redskins went to Cowboys Stadium and came out victorious. In five of the previous six games, Washington had the lead in the second half before losing it. In the last three, the Redskins were outscored in the final quarter by a combined 27-0, creating disappointment amongst Redskins fans. Here's a look at the last seven games:

Redskins 38-31 (2012)

Although the Redskins offense got off to a slow start, they exploded for 28 points in the second quarter. Heisman trophy winner Robert Griffin III passed for 311 yards, rookie running back Alfred Morris ran for 113 yards and a touchdown, and the defense had three takeaways. The victory marked the Redskins' first two-game winning streak since Weeks 1 and 2 of the 2011 season.

Dallas 27-20 (2002)

This one was difficult to watch as it had two sub-.500 teams quarterbacked by Danny Wuerffel (Redskins) and Chad Hutchinson (Cowboys), who hit Joey Galloway with a go-ahead touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.

Dallas 21-10 (1996)

The Redskins entered the game with an 8-4 record and high playoff hopes but lost to the 7-5 Cowboys because Gus Frerotte threw two interceptions, and the Redskins couldn't contain Emmitt Smith (29 rushes, 155 yards, three touchdowns).

Dallas 27-17 (1990)

In this game, Mark Rypien had 54 pass attempts and the Cowboys rallied behind Troy Aikman (20 of 31, 222 yards, one touchdown) and Smith (23 rushes, 132 yards, two touchdowns), scoring the game's final 17 points.

Dallas 37-10 (1978)

Washington began the season 6-0 beating Dallas at RFK Stadium 9-5 on Monday Night Football. But the Cowboys got even on Thanksgiving behind Scott Laidlaw (16 rushes, 122 yards, two touchdowns) and Tony Dorsett (21 rushes, 72 yards), one of five losses to end their 8-8 season.

Dallas 24-23 (1974)

In the well-known Clint Longley game, the Redskins led 16-3 early in the third quarter and knocked quarterback Roger Staubach out of the game, but unheralded rookie Longley went 11 out of 20 for 203 yards, hitting Drew Pearson with the winning touchdown pass.

Dallas 29-20 (1968)

This team was lead by quarterback Sonny Jurgensen. A touchdown pass from backup quarterback Jim Ninowski to Pat Richter put the Redskins up in the fourth quarter before lineman Larry Cole returned a batted pass 5 yards for the winning touchdown.

Robert Griffin III, who starred in football and track at Copperas Cove High School and won the Heisman Trophy as a quarterback at Baylor University, looked right at home on Thanksgiving Day in Cowboys Stadium. He completed 20 of 28 pass attempts for 311 yards, four touchdowns and one interception, and became the first quarterback in Redskins history to pass for four touchdowns in back-to-back games.

Griffin's outstanding performance led the Redskins to a 38-31 victory over the Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day. His heroics were accompanied by Alfred Morris' 113 yards rushing, a defensive effort that produced three takeaways, and a 48-yard field goal from Kai Forbath that gave Washington its first Thanksgiving win over Dallas in seven attempts.

The much-needed victory was the Redskins' second straight, and was the first time the team won two consecutive games since Weeks 1 and 2 of the 2011 season. It also gave Washington its second straight win in the NFC East after Sunday's 31-6 trouncing of the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Redskins are now 5-6 and tied for second place in the division. If Green Bay beats the New York Giants on Sunday night, Washington will host the Giants on December 3 with an opportunity to tie for first place in the NFC East.

Thursday afternoon's game which was aired nationally had plenty of drama. After getting off to a slow start, Washington went on a 28-point scoring run in the second quarter, then had to endure a 28-point second half by Dallas led by quarterback Tony Romo, who completed 37 of 62 pass attempts for 441 yards and three touchdowns. The Redskins also needed a strong defensive stand to hold on for a win.

Washington's offense had its share of difficulty early but started to get traction in its third possession, beginning to most prolific quarter they have had in 13 seasons.

Griffin's 68-yard touchdown pass to Dallas native Aldrick Robinson served as a catalyst for the Redskins, and was followed by a 1-yard touchdown run by Alfred Morris, a 59-yard touchdown strike to Pierre Garcon, and a late-second-quarter six-yard touchdown toss to Santana Moss.

The 28-point quarter was the first by the Redskins since an October 3, 1999, contest against the Carolina Panthers and gave Washington a 28-3 halftime lead. The Redskins outgained the Cowboys 226-63 in the second quarter.

The Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation, along with several Redskins legends, will join the Hogettes, Santa Claus and more than 200 volunteers to distribute 3,500 turkeys and Thanksgiving baskets to Prince George's County residents in need.

The giveaway, for which residents were required to register online, takes place from 12 noon until 5 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 20 at FedEx Field during the 10th annual Redskins-Harris Teeter "Harvest Feast."

Since 2003, the Redskins have gifted more than 818,600 pounds of packaged and fresh food and 285,500 pounds of turkey to area families in need.

For more information, please call 301-909-7153.