Dallas Is Swept Away, 24-17 : NFC: Shuler and Allen lead the way as Redskins defeat Cowboys for the second time this season.

Norv Turner worked his spell on the Dallas Cowboys again.

With a brilliant game plan centered around Heath Shuler and Terry Allen, Washington used Turner’s knowledge of his former employers to stun the Cowboys, 24-17, on Sunday and sweep the two-game series for the first time since 1987.

Allen scored two touchdowns and Shuler passed for one as the Redskins (4-9) ended a four-game losing streak.

Turner, former Cowboy offensive coordinator, said the Redskins desperately needed to win.

“If there were 53 guys in this state who thought we would win they were all in our locker room and I’m not sure about all of them,” Turner said.

The Redskins beat Dallas, 27-23, in the fifth game of the season when Allen scored twice and gained 123 yards.

“We get up to play Dallas,” Allen said. “I guess it’s because they always overlook us.”

In the third quarter, Shuler drove the Redskins 83 yards for a touchdown and a 14-10 lead. Shuler connected with tight end Jamie Asher on a 20-yard pass on the drive, Allen ran 13 yards and Shuler found Henry Ellard with a 10-yard scoring pass.

The Redskins made it 21-10 after Stanley Richard intercepted a pass by Aikman and returned it 24 yards to the Dallas 27. Shuler threw to Asher for a 12-yard pass to the 1 and Allen scored on the next play.

“I’ve had my critics but there’s no doubt in my mind what I can do,” Shuler said.

Dallas (10-3) got to the Redskins’ 12 with 5:37 to play, but Richard caused Smith to fumble. Smith picked up the ball at the goal but officials ruled he was out of bounds and the Redskins were given a touchback.

“I know I had the ball in my hands when I went across the line but I didn’t get the call,” Smith said. “There was nothing positive that came out of this day.”

Eddie Murray, a former Cowboy, kicked a 47-yard field goal with 3:30 to go to increase Washington’s lead to 24-10.

Aikman connected with Irvin for a three-yard touchdown pass with 1:48 left, but an onside kick failed and Washington ran out the clock.

Allen got 98 yards on 25 carries and Shuler completed 11 of 24 passes for 154 yards.

Aikman tried a career-high 48 passes and completed 29 for 285 yards.