The Redskins are 3-6 after nine games in 2009, compared to 6-3 at the same point last year, but don't blame the pass defense.

Washington leads the league in that category and it's not because of the secondary, which surrendered three touchdown catches of at least 40 yards the past three games.

Credit a much-enhanced pass rush which is feeling the effects of luring All-Pro tackle Albert Haynesworth from Tennessee with a seven-year, $100 million contract ($41 million guaranteed) in February and drafting Texas All-American Brian Orakpo with the 13th selection overall in April.

Just nine games into 2009, the Redskins have equaled their 24 sacks for all of 2008 and are on pace for 45, which would match their highest number since their last Super Bowl team, back in 1991.

And as was the case in 2000, the season Washington last had 45 sacks with Marco Coleman (12) and Bruce Smith (10) doing most of the damage from opposite ends, this year's pass rush is mostly being generated by right end Andre Carter (eight) and strongside linebacker Orakpo (seven), who plays left end on passing downs.

Only Indianapolis' Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis (18), Minnesota's Jared Allen and Kevin Williams (16.5) and Denver's Elvis Dumervil and Darrell Reid (16) have more sacks as a tandem than the 15 of Carter and Orakpo. Washington's top four pass rushers combined for 15 sacks in all of 2008.

"Last year I felt like we had some (opposing) QBs feel very comfortable in the pocket," said Redskins coach Jim Zorn. "This year, we're making quarterbacks uncomfortable ... creating just the sense of 'I've got to get rid of the ball sooner.' "

That was especially true last Sunday against Denver when Orakpo's hit just before halftime on Kyle Orton sidelined the starting quarterback for the day as the Broncos were about to kick the field goal to give them a 17-14 lead. In the second half, Carter and Orakpo sacked Chris Simms three times, and the Redskins blanked the Broncos while holding them to 36 yards and three first downs while rallying for a 27-17 victory.

Carter, typically, doesn't take too much credit for his rise from four sacks in 2008 to a pace for a career-high 14. He cited tips from veteran backup end Renaldo Wynn, his own strong offseason preparation and the push inside from Haynesworth and a healthier Cornelius Griffin.

"Last year, I would go against the tackle and the guard would kinda sit there and wait or the running back would chip me," Carter said. "(This year), I do see the guard going to (Albert). Griff, he's the (healthiest) I've ever seen him."

Not only has Orakpo broken the Redskins rookie record that had been held by Dean Hamel (1985) and Andre Collins (1990), he has three more sacks than any other current rookie.

"That's what they drafted me for, to make big plays," Orakpo said. "(Andre's) a guy I've looked up to and admired. That's what keeps great pass rushers hungry and able to improve, it's competing. You don't ever want one guy doing all the workload."

SERIES HISTORY
97th regular-season meeting. Cowboys lead 57-37-2 in the regular-season. The Redskins had victories in the 1972 and 1982 NFC Championship Games. The most unforgettable matchup of late came in 2007 when Terrell Owens burned Washington's Sean Taylor-less secondary for four touchdowns in a 28-23 Dallas home victory.

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