Redskins owner Dan Snyder (bleeping) animated after win

LANDOVER, Md. -- This was a big one.

The Washington Redskins beat the New York Giants 17-16 at home on Monday night, thrusting themselves into the playoff conversation with a third win in a row. The Redskins (6-6) are now a game behind the Giants in the NFC East, with meaningful winter football on the docket.

Redskins owner Dan Snyder has waited for this moment for a long time. More than a week ago in Dallas, he could feel the tide shifting for his long-suffering franchise and rushed down to the locker room after a win over the Dallas Cowboys to collect a game ball.

This time, on Monday night, the media was allowed into the locker room earlier than usual, early enough to catch Dan Snyder offering congratulations to anyone who would take them.

He shook the hand of one staffer, telling him as he walked away, "I hate those mother-------."

The Redskins were motivated for Monday night's game by a quote from Giants president John Mara and by the fact the officials seem to be taking it easy on the Giants and Atlanta Falcons, two organizations that helped in negotiating the latest referees' contract.

The Mara quote, which was posted in the Redskins' locker room this week, stated he believed the $36 million in salary-cap space the team was penalized because of alleged cap violations was a light sentence.

"I think (the Redskins) are lucky they didn't lose draft picks," Mara said. "I thought the penalties imposed were proper."

ESPN first reported the Mara quotes were used as a motivational tool. However, the 'Skins also used the officials to prod the players this week. Underneath the Mara quote on a sheet posted on the bulletin board was the list of penalties per team through Week 12.

Atop the list: The Redskins (93 penalties) and the Dallas Cowboys (90), the two alleged salary-cap violators. In bold down below, it reads, "NFL took $46,000,000 of Salary Cap Room from these two teams."

At the bottom: The Giants (48 penalties) and Falcons (39). Both of those teams are highlighted, as is the line below it that reads, "Assisted NFL in negotiating the NFLRA's new Collective Bargaining Agreement."

Contributing: Mike Garafolo