THE NFL 1996 : Redskins Roll Behind Allen’s Touchdown Runs

Early in the fourth quarter, with the Washington Redskins’ winning streak still in doubt, tight end James Jenkins looked across the huddle and saw a hungry running back.

“Terry had this look, like ‘Man, I can’t get started.’ I could see it on his face,” Jenkins said. “I said, ‘Let’s spring this guy.’ ”

A few plays later, Jenkins helped free Terry Allen down the right side for a 32-yard touchdown run to put the game away in Sunday’s 31-16 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.

It was Allen’s third touchdown of the game. He already has four 100-yard games, 803 yards and a league-high 13 touchdowns this season. He had 79 of his 124 yards Sunday in the second half, Gus Frerotte was 18 for 25 for 178 yards, and Brian Mitchell had a 71-yard punt return on a day in which the Colts (5-3) couldn’t find a way to stop the Redskins (7-1).

“They got their running game going and it really opened it up for them,” Indianapolis cornerback Ray Buchanan said. “They have a big offensive line and they gave Gus a lot of time to throw.”

The performance by the Redskins’ line, which gave up only one sack and paved the way for 215 rushing yards, was even more remarkable considering guard Tre Johnson sat out the game because of an injury and first-year Shar Pourdanesh made his second career start.

“We really didn’t miss a beat,” guard Bob Dahl said. “I’m surprised we did as well as we did without Tre in there.”

The game, the biggest at RFK Stadium in four years, was a major respect-builder for the Redskins, whose winning streak has been attributed largely to an easy first-half schedule.

“We are going to stay about our business and try to get into the playoffs,” cornerback Darrell Green said. “But until that happens, we’re not going to eat no biscuits until they’re done.”

The difference was the second half. The Redskins and Colts both moved the ball freely over the first 30 minutes, but the Colts sputtered the last two quarters.

Indianapolis, which has lost three of four, had 185 yards and 13 points at halftime, but only 113 yards and a field goal in the second half.

The Colts’ only turnover, when Jim Harbaugh had the ball stripped by Ken Harvey while attempting to pass, led to Allen’s long touchdown run. The Colts were also hurt by an intentional grounding call against Harbaugh and a holding call against Doug Widell.

“In the second half, we basically stopped ourselves,” said Harbaugh, who completed 17 of 33 for 198 yards and one touchdown.

The Colts’ Marshall Faulk, who sat out the previous three games because of a sprained toe, had 13 carries for 53 yards and a touchdown.

“Each one of us needs to look in a mirror and see what we can do to help this team play better,” he said.