ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) ― Tony Romo’s ribs held up just fine. So did Dan Bailey’s leg.

Romo persevered through pain to lead enough deep drives to set up Bailey for six field goals, including a 40-yarder with 1:57 left to give the Cowboys an 18-16 victory over the Washington Redskins on Monday night.

Dallas’ Anthony Spencer chopped the ball from Washington’s Rex Grossman with 28 seconds left, and linebacker Sean Lee recovered it, setting off a celebration inside Cowboys Stadium.

Dallas coach Jason Garrett dropped to a knee and pumped his fist wildly at being 2-1 ― guaranteeing no repeat of last year’s miserable 1-7 start. The Cowboys are even tied for first place in the NFC East, along with Washington (2-1), which was seeking its first 3-0 start since 2005.

“This was a great win for us,” said Romo, who was 22 of 36 for 255 yards. “It was a hard, hard game. ... We had a million mistakes tonight. We have a lot of young guys, but they were out there for a reason. We’ll get it right.”

Romo lacked zip and accuracy much of the game, and he had trouble with four snaps from his new center. But he was at his best with the game on the line.