There's a new feeling in D.C. Robert Griffin III can sense it.
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The Washington Redskins are right back in the playoff hunt after a 38-31 Thanksgiving win over the Dallas Cowboys. Few were talking about the postseason when the Redskins lost to the Carolina Panthers in Week 9 and fell to 3-6.
"It feels as if something is building," Griffin said, via CSNWashington.com. "Being 3-6, the character of your team is tested. If you don't beat the Eagles, you're 3-7 and you're likely to kill your season or the morale of your team. Then we come out on Thanksgiving and really dominate the game, let (the Cowboys) back in and close it out. It was big for the mindset of everybody.
"Hey, we might have thought we could do it. Now we know we can do it, and it's in our hands."
The Redskins need a measure of consistency to remain a team to be watched. Playing a little defense would help. But what more can be said about Griffin? He threw for 311 yards and four touchdowns Thursday. Alfred Morris leads the No. 2 run game in the NFL. Pierre Garcon proved to be a factor in his second game back from a toe injury.
"You know, he's kind of like Cool Hand Luke," Redskins coach Mike Shanahan told The Washington Post. "He doesn't get too upset about anything. He just handles himself and goes about his business and works extremely hard to prepare for a game.
"And he knows how to avoid distractions, because he focuses on his job, and doesn't seem to let anything bother him. And that's why he has the success that he has, because he is very disciplined, and very determined, and he works at it."
Nevermind the fact Griffin has no clue who "Cool Hand Luke" is.
If something special is going to happen in D.C., it starts with RG3.
Follow Kareem Copeland on Twitter @kareemcopeland.