LANDOVER, Md. -- We have never really seen this before. We may never see anything like it again.

The 'Skins still benefit from the presence of No. 21 -- just ask linebacker London Fletcher. (US Presswire)

No, we have not seen this before, what the Redskins overcame to get here, what they have become, what they are doing.

This year they lost the right side of their offensive line to injury. A free-agent rookie started at right guard. The starting quarterback was seriously hurt. The backup quarterback hadn't started a game in a decade and just as he did, his wife gave birth to their child. Defensive back Shawn Springs watched his father fall into a coma. Joe Gibbs, a Hall of Famer, in one moment literally looked like he didn't know the rules to the game he has spent decades coaching.

Then, Sean Taylor was murdered, killed in his home, and during the insanity of an NFL season, the Redskins hopped charter flights to attend his funeral. And mourn.

"To think four weeks ago where we were and where we are tonight," Gibbs said.

Where are they? The Redskins are in the playoffs, an impossible destination, it seemed, no so long ago. But no need to pinch yourself. It's true.

It is also true what former and current Redskins players have stated recently to the media. The Atlanta Falcons lost one player in Mike Vick and crumbled to pieces. The Redskins lost so much more and have held together like a patchwork quilt forged of iron.

If the Jacksonville Jaguars are the team most feared in the AFC, the Redskins are the group to avoid in the NFC.

They're not spectacular, they're not great, they don't intimidate. And Gibbs still makes some spectacularly boneheaded calls.

The Redskins are nevertheless solid and motivated. Most importantly, they're hot.

After losing four straight the Redskins have now won four straight.

What has returned to Washington is balance, and the Dallas game was a perfect illustration. Taking advantage of a Dallas team that clearly didn't care about this game, Washington utilized a good portion of Clinton Portis and key Todd Collins throws to quickly overwhelm the underwhelming Cowboys.

Portis, who scored twice against Dallas, seems to be back in a groove. The shock is Collins. No one expected him to play so well substituting for Jason Campbell. Collins' career was so previously inert, he could have been fossilized. Now he has constructed a nice chemistry with receiver Santana Moss and, as a result, has five touchdown passes and zero interceptions. Collins and Moss connected on a 42-yard score late in the game.

When asked how his life has changed in the past few weeks, Collins remarked, "I have a new son. That's one of the biggest things."

The real star of the rejuvenated Redskins is Gibbs. Remember, it was Gibbs who a month ago, in the wake of Taylor's death, made an unbelievably egregious error against Buffalo by calling consecutive timeouts to freeze the Bills kicker. The coach was called for unsportsmanlike conduct, the 15-yard penalty allowed Buffalo to easily make the field goal and the Redskins lost.

"It was the worst moment of my career," Gibbs said.

He added: "Sometimes in life some of the best things happen to you after you've been crushed."

"Four weeks ago (no one) gave us a chance," Portis said. "We're at our best when all odds are against us."

Gibbs has redeemed himself with what has been the best coaching job of his life. He has called coaching in the wake of Taylor's death the most difficult time of his career, but Gibbs -- and the Redskins organization -- has been exemplary. Teams have had dramatic turnarounds before. Hell, Gibbs has worked magic many times in his career.

But never like this. Never when a player is killed and half of the team is on crutches.

After the game the Redskins celebrated like they had just won the Super Bowl. Portis took a towel with Taylor's No. 21 and wrapped it behind his neck like a protective cape. Many players pointed to the "21" on their helmets as they danced with the crowd.

Coming off the field players exclaimed to one another: "We won by 21 points."

Their exuberance is understandable. Just look at what they've seen.

And done.