Everything changed when Alex Smith lay writhing in agony on the FedExField turf, his lower right leg bent unnaturally.
For the Washington Redskins. For the entire NFC East.
The complexion of the division was inexorably altered with just six weeks remaining.
So, now what?
The Redskins lost their quarterback to a broken fibula and tibia, a horrific compound fracture that will cost him the rest of the season and beyond. They also lost what seemed to be a rather clear path to the division title.
And the Dallas Cowboys were handed an opening.