After braving the bone-chilling wind and cold, ridiculously long lines for the bathroom and obnoxious Cowboys fans for five plus hours, Redskins fans could only hope to be rewarded with a big win against their hated rival. Instead, fans left blustery FedEx Field using their complimentary “Rally Rags” (the pathetically transparent response to the Terrible Towel invasion of two weeks ago) to wipe away tears of frustration.

The game started deceivingly well for both the Redskins offensive and defensive units. Clinton Portis made a surprise start (and made a convincing case to take over as the team Flag Bearer) and new acquisition and sometime head-case Deangelo Hall made his debut with an early interception. After the defense shut down Dallas on its opening drive, the Redskins first offensive possession was impressive. Moving the ball with precision, the drive ended with a touchdown pass from Jason Campbell to Mike Sellers.

But that was just about all the fireworks the Redskins offense had on this cold night in Raljon. Possession after possession, the Redskins struggled to get out of their own way and laid an egg in the second half. While the defense remained stout most of the game, the wear and tear of the cold, time on the field and a bruising Marion Barber finally caused a fourth quarter collapse.

AP Photo/Gerald Herbert