"Donté Stallworth has made a handful of catches to convert third downs in recent weeks. Not bad for a guy the Washington Redskins cut last month. Since the Redskins re-signed Stallworth on Nov. 15 after waiving him a week earlier, quarterback Rex Grossman has relied on him when the Redskins need to extend drives. He converted three third downs against New England last Sunday, and he caught the game-tying touchdown on third down in the final seconds of regulation against Dallas on Nov. 20.

"Since he's come back, he's gotten in there more, and every time we've given him opportunities since, he's made some plays," offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said.

"I just like the power he plays with and his aggressive hands. He doesn't catch it looking for a place to fall. He's trying to get up the field. That's something we need and gives us a chance to make a play."

Stallworth, an eight-year NFL veteran, has excelled on third down partly because he is savvy in situations when the defense is expecting pass. He cited the 51-yard reception he had on third-and-9 last Sunday.

"I think you have to know the down and distance," Stallworth said. "Once you recognize the coverage and you know what the defense is thinking, you kind of have to play the route the way you think they think it is. On the deep ball, I kind of made a little move around the sticks and [cornerback Devin McCourty] sat there right at the sticks.""