While Demarco Murray has been grabbing headlines after setting an NFL record for most consecutive games rushing for at least 100 yards to start a season, the Washington Redskins known that quarterback Tony Romo is still a key to their offense.

So far this season, Romo has thrown for 14 touchdowns to just six interceptions. Last week against the New York Giants, he connected on 17 pass attempts for 279 yards and three touchdowns.

"He can throw it, he can scramble, he can do just about anything you want a quarterback to do," Redskins head coach Jay Gruden said earlier this week. "So having a running game to help him along the way will make him all the more effective."

Romo – in his ninth season as a full-time starter – has faced the Redskins 15 times during his career.

In those games, the Eastern Illinois product has thrown for nearly 3,500 yards, 24 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.

Three of those interceptions, of course, came during the Redskins' Week 17 division-clinching victory over the Cowboys in 2012.

Part of the reason for his inability to locate the target that day?

Pressure.

Defensive end Jason Hatcher – playing on Monday in his first Redskins-Cowboys game wearing the burgundy and gold – said he can't wait to see what he can do against Romo in a game situation.

"I enjoy rushing the passer," Hatcher said. "That is what I do. I love it so it just happens to be my old teammate. It's going to be great.

"So, every quarterback – I don't like quarterbacks -- so every quarterback, all quarterbacks are going to get rushed the same by me."

But, while the Redskins are hoping to get to Romo often, they also know that he's made a career out of extending plays thought to be dead.

"You think you got him covered in the pocket, he can scramble around and make plays," linebacker Keenan Robinson said. "He's kind of like Russell Wilson, but more of a veteran type. He's athletic, not as athletic as Russell Wilson, but athletic enough to where he can make plays with his feet, make plays with his arm and he's smart enough to know what spots will hurt you and what coverage.

"He's a great player so we have to make sure that we take care of him as well, stop the run, and hopefully the two will work together to win this game."

Defensive coordinator Jim Haslett said that the Redskins must be aware of when Romo breaks free, because it allows some of their speedy wide receivers like Dwayne Harris and Cole Beasley time to distance themselves from coverage -- not to mention Pro Bowler Dez Bryant.

"They do a nice job of utilizing their talent," he said. "They bring 17 (Harris) in on certain plays. They have No. 11 (Beasley) run certain routes. The running backs do certain things. They utilize their talent really well."

"I think he's a heck of a football player. Even when he gets criticize for a bad play, the guy does so much for the football team: extending plays, seeing things, he does everything. He can extend plays. He can run. He can make all the throws.

"He's just an excellent football player."

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