COWBOYS CARVE UP REDSKINS : DALLAS 21, WASHINGTON 10.

Byline: Denne H. Freeman Associated Press 

What's wrong with Emmitt Smith?

Absolutely nothing.

Stung by the first benching of his career, Smith made the Washington Redskins pay with his best game of the year, scoring three touchdowns and gaining a season-high 155 yards Thursday.

That led Dallas past Washington 21-10 and put the Cowboys in a first-place tie with the Redskins in the NFC East.

Both Dallas and Washington are 8-5. Philadelphia is 7-5 and hosts the New York Giants (5-7) on Sunday.

Smith, benched in the fourth quarter of last Sunday's 20-6 loss to the Giants after gaining just 18 yards on 11 carries, ran like a young colt instead of somebody with ankle problems. Smith didn't practice all week while resting a sore right ankle, and coach Barry Switzer was worried he might have to start Sherman Williams.

``It ticked me off all those things I heard and read,'' Smith said. ``I told the coach I could get the job done. With the rest, it was probably the best I felt all year. I had some spring in my step and could do some slashing and cutting.''

Smith, who became the 12th player in NFL history to reach the 10,000-yard plateau, scored on runs of 4 yards twice and again on a 3-yard carry.

``Emmitt told me before the game that he could play near 100 percent,'' Switzer said. ``He said he wanted to prove something. And he did. He slashed up in there inside. It was like the Cowboys of old, saddled up and running. Any question Emmitt Smith has lost it were answered today.''

Smith has 108 career rushing touchdowns to move ahead of Jim Brown into third place on the NFL's career list and within four of Marcus Allen, who took the lead Thursday with 112 by scoring twice in Kansas City's victory over Detroit.

``I ran the ball the best I have all year long,'' Smith said. ``Last week it was cold weather and the turf was hard, and I couldn't get going. It looks like I've weathered the storm. ''

It didn't surprise his teammates.

Defensive back Kevin Smith said: ``Emmitt felt all the world was against him. We knew he would come out like this.''

Smith rushed 29 times against the Redskins, ranked No. 29 against the run, although he was spelled at times by Williams.

He tore off a season-long 42-yard run in the third quarter to set up his 4-yard scoring run, and gained 55 of the 77 yards on the drive that put the Cowboys ahead 14-10. Then he gained 25 yards on a 65-yard drive to put the game away, scoring his third touchdown with 7:49 to play.

Dallas running back coach Joe Brodsky said it was incredible how some people thought Smith's career was waning.

``It was so ludicrous to say he's washed up (that) it was bordering on stupidity,'' Brodsky said. As he walked past the media, Brodsky muttered sarcastically, ``He's washed up, the guy's washed up.''

Washington coach Norv Turner said he was worried about facing an inspired Smith.

``He's one of the greatest competitors you're going to be around,'' Turner said. ``When somebody told me Emmitt had a problem, I expected to see a special effort out of him. That's what happened.''

Linebacker Ken Harvey said he didn't believe Smith was over the hill.

``I didn't believe what people were saying about him,'' Harvey said. ``He proved today that he's still a good player. I've faced him a lot over the years and he didn't look any different to me.''

The Cowboys ended the longest touchdown-scoring drought in franchise history with 2:03 left in the first half on Smith's 4-yard TD. It was the first time the Cowboys had scored a touchdown in 30 consecutive possessions spanning 10 quarters.

The TD came after linebacker Fred Strickland recovered a fumble on the Washington 33. The turnover came on a fumbled snap exchange between center Jeff Uhlenhake and quarterback Gus Frerotte.

So, despite minus-7 yards passing, the Cowboys led at intermission 7-3. Troy Aikman was just 4 of 11 for 10 yards and was sacked twice by HIarvey for 17 yards in losses.

Washington came back on the first series of the second half to take a 10-7 lead on Frerotte's 26-yard touchdown pass to Leslie Shepherd.

The Cowboys had to convert a fourth-and-1 at the Washington 24 on Aikman's quarterback sneak to keep the drive alive. Brian Walker interfered with Herschel Walker at the Washington 4 and Smith scored on the next play.

Earlier, Larry Allen's holding penalty nullified a 25-yard touchdown pass from Aikman to Kelvin Martin.

Washington's Scott Blanton, who earlier had a 40-yard field goal attempt blocked, kicked a 21-yarder just before halftime for the Redskins.

Washington lost wide receiver Michael Westbrook in the first quarter with a bruised kneecap, and Shepherd went out in the series following his touchdown with a sprained ankle. Defensive tackle Sean Gilbert went out with a knee injury in the fourth quarter.

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Photo

Photo: Emmitt Smith silenced critics who thought him washed up, running for 155 yards and three touchdowns in Dallas' win over Washington.

Associated Press