NFL: Washington 35, Dallas 7

LANDOVER, Md., Dec. 18 (UPI) -- Mark Brunell threw four first-half touchdown passes Sunday, including three to Chris Cooley, as the Washington Redskins whipped the Dallas Cowboys, 35-7.

Brunell passed for 163 yards while Clinton Portis rushed for 112. The Redskins (8-6) posted their third straight victory and eliminated the Cowboys from any chance of winning the NFC East.

Washington's defense, led by end Phillip Daniels and linebacker Marcus Washington, sacked Dallas quarterback Drew Bledsoe seven times and pressured him into three interceptions and a fumble.

Daniels sacked Bledsoe four times and Washington had two sacks, an interception and a forced fumble.

The Redskins and Cowboys (8-6) were tied with Minnesota in the race for the conference's final wild-card spot, with Atlanta one-half game ahead heading into Sunday night's game at Chicago.