The Dallas Cowboys knocked off the New Orleans Saints on Saturday night 24-17 ending the Saints' bid for a perfect season.
Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo threw for 312 yards and a touchdown and linebacker DeMarcus Ware notched two sacks and forced a pair of fumbles. Ware sacked Saints quarterback Drew Brees and forced him to fumble the ball away with six seconds left to seal the win.
The Cowboys led 24-3 after three quarters before the Saints put together a fourth-quarter rally. The Cowboys had a chance to put the game away with just over two minutes remaining, but kicker Nick Folk missed a 24-yard field goal. Miles Austin was Romo's primary target catching seven passes for 139 yards and a touchdown.
With the win, the Cowboys are now 9-5 and sit just a half-game behind the Eagles for first place in the NFC East. If there is any silver lining, the Eagles now can clinch a playoff spot with a win Sunday over the 49ers.
The Saints were looking to match the Indianapolis Colts' 14-0 start, but at 13-1 the door is slightly open for the 11-2 Minnesota Vikings to catch them for the top seed in the NFC playoffs.
-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 11:44 p.m., December 19
