Redskins Intercept Cardinals : NFC: Edwards picks off three passes as Washington keeps its playoff hopes alive, 41-3.

Redskin Coach Joe Gibbs spent the past week imploring his many veterans to gather themselves and end a two-game losing streak.

Free safety Brad Edwards responded with three interceptions, including one he returned for a touchdown, to help lead the Redskins to a 41-3 victory over the Phoenix Cardinals Sunday.

The Redskins (7-5), defending Super Bowl champions, won for only the second time in five games and kept alive their wild-card playoff hopes.

“I really felt the importance of this game, and I was jacked up,” Edwards said. “Throughout the week and today I felt like I was going to go crazy. I kind of let it out today.”

With road games at Philadelphia and New York and home games against Dallas and the Raiders still to come, none of the Redskins wanted to think about their playoff chances had they lost.

“For us, it was like, ‘The playoffs start today,’ ” tight end Ron Middleton said. “We had to have this one. It was that simple.”

From the start, the Redskins played as if every pass, run and snap was crucial. The result was their 14th consecutive home victory over the Cardinals (3-9).

Phoenix got a 42-yard field goal from Greg Davis on its first possession to take a 3-0 lead.

The Redskins scored only their third touchdown on offense in 24 quarters when Mark Rypien passed 13 yards to Ricky Sanders with 8:38 to play in the first quarter.

“Considering what we’ve been doing recently, that first drive was imperative,” said Rypien, who completed 14 of 25 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns. “It was just a great drive.”

On the Cardinals’ next possession, Edwards stepped in front of Ricky Proehl at the Washington 47 and returned Timm Rosenbach’s pass 53 yards for a touchdown.

“Today was a situation where I was in a zone,” Edwards said. “I was really able to see things.”

Said Gibbs: “Brad, before the game too, really exhibited great leadership. He tried to kind of take things in his hands and try to get us going. In the past we’ve had guys stand up, and Brad was one of those guys.”

Rosenbach, in his first full game after separating a shoulder in Week 2, had four passes intercepted, including two inside the Redskins’ 10. Rosenbach completed 19 of 34 passes for 262 yards.

“I didn’t do a very good job at looking guys off, and they did a good job of reading my eyes,” Rosenbach said. “I just didn’t throw well. I don’t have any excuses.”

The Redskins moved ahead, 17-3, on a 32-yard field goal by Chip Lohmiller with 2:57 left in the first half.

Washington took a 34-3 lead when Rypien connected with Gary Clark on a 31-yard touchdown pass play with 10:14 left.