Fake Punt Helps Redskins Edge Cowboys : Pro football: Play leads to go-ahead touchdown as Washington ends its Monday night jinx, 33-31.

IRVING, Tex. —  In the highest-scoring game between Washington and Dallas in 29 years, the Redskins prevailed with one of the oldest tricks in the book.

A fake punt provided a first down that led to the go-ahead touchdown, and the Redskins ended their Monday night slump with a 33-31 victory over the Cowboys.

It was the most points scored by the teams since their 35-35 tie in 1970. The victory ended a six-game Washington losing streak in Monday night games. Only the New York Jets, with seven, had a longer losing streak on Monday night.

“We worked on that fake punt all week,” Washington Coach Joe Gibbs said. “We felt it would work but, of course, you know what happens if you miss. If it backfired, it could set them off.”

Brian Mitchell took a short snap on fourth and one from the Washington 48 and gained three yards. Pass completions of 23 and 18 yards by Mark Rypien set the stage for Gerald Riggs’ one-yard run that gave the Redskins a 30-24 lead with 12:58 to play.

Mitchell said he read the Dallas defense and decided the fake would work.

“The Dallas defense made the call for us because they overloaded on one side,” he said. “I got a great, quick snap and I knew I had it.”

End Jim Jeffcoat said the Cowboys “weren’t totally surprised, but it was a good play on their part. We just self-destructed out there.”

Gibbs called it a typical Dallas-Washington game.

“It’s going to be a battle with those guys every time out,” Gibbs said. “It took some guts because things looked bleak for us early.

“I’m thrilled to death to get over that Monday night thing. Now we can quit talking and worrying about it.”

The victory put Washington (2-0) into a first-place tie with the Phoenix Cardinals in the NFC East. The Redskins are 18-16 on Monday night; Dallas is 19-17.

Chip Lohmiller kicked four field goals for Washington and Rypien completed 14 of 26 passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns. Aikman completed 27 of 42 passes for 234 yards and three touchdowns.

The Cowboys’ Emmitt Smith caught a touchdown pass and ran 75 yards for another although he was ill.

“I was sick before the game and after I made the long run,” he said. “I was light-headed and had to get some fluids into me at halftime.”

Dallas Coach Jimmy Johnson said the fake punt was the turning point.

“We gave them a gift on the punt,” Johnson said. “We also had a roughing-the-passer call and some defensive assignments blown during that drive.”