On the mood in the Redskins locker room as the team prepares to play Dallas on Sunday:

"It's a huge game. Everyone senses that and understands what's at stake. Up to this point, it's our biggest game of the season. Obviously, we have to win to stay alive. It's a very good opponent. Our work is cut out for us. [Dallas has] a very good defense and a very good offense--just a solid football team."

On how significant a win would be for the Redskins:

"It would be big for all of us. We're all in this together. Everyone understands what's at stake. I don't know if there's any reason not to enjoy this. This is why we do this. To have this kind of competition, in front of all of these people, with so much on the line, that's why you do this. You play this game to have these opportunities this late in the season and to be in the [playoff] hunt. We have a lot of work to do. We may need some help, too. All that we can control is what happens this Sunday. We'd like to go out there and play as well as we have [played] all year. Hopefully, that will take place. That's what it's going to take to win this game."

On the extent to which the Redskins' win at Dallas in Week 2 carried over into subsequent games:

"I'd like to say a lot, but that was a long time ago. Aside from three or four plays, that day was very frustrating for us offensively. We've spent the last few days trying to figure out a game plan that we think will work against the Dallas Cowboys. It's tough to do because you watch them on film, [and see that] they have everything going for them over there. We do have a game plan. We have to execute it. It's really going to come down to the team that makes the fewest mistakes and the team that's the most physical. Hopefully, we can get some big plays, but it will be tough."

On what about the Dallas defense impresses him:

"That day, from the [defensive] front to the linebackers to the secondary, there was not a weak link at all. They are solid. They have a great scheme, are aggressive, and are very talented. They have some guys that can really play the game. It's not just one thing--there are a number of things that impress you when watching these guys on film and playing with them."

On how winning at Dallas in Week 2 influenced the Redskins' season:

"They allowed us a big win, one of the biggest wins we've had around here in a long time. Maybe it gave us some confidence for the following weeks. We continued to make some big plays. It was kind of a coming out party for Santana. All that being said, it was a great day for us, but that was a long time ago. This is a new set of circumstances. We're a different football team. They're a different football team. They're playing very good football right now. Honestly, I don't know if this team is looking at that previous game a whole lot. For three and a half quarters, they shut us down."

On how the Redskins plan to deal with injuries during the final three regular-season games:

"Guys have to step in. We have some guys banged up. I don't know who is in or who is out. Whoever is in there needs to step up their play and pick up where the other guy left off. It's pretty common at this time of year to be pretty banged up. We might have a few more guys hurt than we want--that's obvious--but whoever goes in there needs to give a great effort and play as if he was the starter."

On his relationship with Cowboys QB Drew Bledsoe:

"I look forward to seeing Drew because I consider him a friend. I have a lot of respect for him as a player. Obviously, he's had a great career. As good as he's been on the field, he's even better off the field. He has a great family. Every community that he has been a part of, he gives to and spends time [with]."

On whether the Redskins' offensive line has something to prove against the Cowboys:

"Those guys have a lot of pride. They're a close-knit group that has gotten better as the season has gone on. They've looked at the film. They know what took place the last time we played these guys. I'm sure they want to play better. All of us want and need to play better than we did last time."