LANDOVER, Md. — Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett was roasted publicly in September after the Cowboys abandoned the running game against Washington.

Marion Barber had just eight carries for 26 measly yards. Felix Jones didn't touch the ball at all. And the Cowboys lost by two.

This time around, Marion Barber got plenty of chances. With the offensive line playing to its pedigree, Barber pounded away in the second half and converted a critical fourth-and-1 with 1:08 remaining to clinch a season-saving victory.

"Every game is different," Barber said. "You've just got to keep pushing, working hard in practice and when you get the opportunity, you just take advantage of it."

Barber posted his third 100-yard game of the season. He finished with 114 yards on 24 carries and one touchdown. But Barber really won the game in the fourth quarter, where he grinded out 66 yards on 14 carries and had two catches for 17 yards.

Barber had eight carries for 45 yards in the first half and scored on a 2-yard run. Garrett said he felt good about how things were going. The Cowboys were moving the football. But they had two turnovers in Redskins' territory.

Going into the second half, Garrett said, "I just wanted to make sure we continued to run it inside, run it outside and have some balance in how we were attacking them running the football."

Barber had just two carries in the third quarter. Then, Barber showed why he's nicknamed "The Barbarion" in the final 15 minutes.

The Cowboys took over at their own 33-yard line with 14:48 remaining. Romo found Barber on a checkdown pass for a 7-yard gain. Then, Barber had four straight runs of 12, 9, 3 and 3 yards.

"What am I thinking?," guard Leonard Davis said. "Keep truckin' man! That's what makes it fun."

Three plays later, Romo hit rookie Martellus Bennett for a 25-yard touchdown as the Cowboys took a 14-10 lead.

The Cowboys took over again with 6:40 remaining at their own 37. Barber carried the ball on six straight plays as the Cowboys moved to the Redskins' 36. On third-and-8, Romo found Barber in the open field for a 10-yard gain.

Later, the Cowboys faced fourth-and-1 at the 17. Barber ran wide right on a pitch play for a 3-yard gain, and fans headed for the exits.

"That's what we should be, a physical team," owner Jerry Jones said.