ASHBURN, Va. (AP) - No one is surprised that Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder hates the New York Giants, or that Mike Shanahan hates the debilitating salary cap penalty imposed on his team by the NFL.

And, by now, no one should be surprised that Robert Griffin III and the Redskins are playoff contenders.

There was all sorts of passion on display before, during and after the Redskins' 17-16 Monday night win over the Giants. Snyder was heard using a profane word to describe the NFC East rivals while congratulating players and staff in the locker room, and Washington's coaches used quotes from New York owner John Mara about the cap penalties to motivate the players.

What matters is who won, of course, and the Redskins are now closing in on first place.

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