Dan Bailey kicked a 38-yard field goal in overtime and Dallas overcame a critical fumble by Tony Romo that sparked a wild ending in the Cowboys’ 23-20 victory against Cleveland yesterday in Arlington, Texas.
Bailey’s winning kick with 6:07 remaining came after both teams punted once in the first overtime game at Cowboys Stadium. Bailey hit a tying 32-yard field goal with 2 seconds left in regulation.
“Had it all the way,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said, smiling, as he walked into the postgame locker room.
Dallas (5-5) rallied from a 13-0 halftime deficit and went ahead 17-13 on Romo’s 28-yard pass to Dez Bryant.
A fumble by Browns rookie Brandon Weeden on a sack appeared to put the Cowboys in control, but Romo gave it right back with a fumble on another sack.
The Cowboys made one goal-line stand in the final minutes, but the Browns (2-8) got another chance and went ahead 20-17 on Weeden’s 17-yard pass to Benjamin Watson.
Romo was sacked seven times, but still finished 35 of 50 for 313 yards with the touchdown to Bryant, who had 12 catches for a career-high 145 yards.
Texans 43, Jaguars 37 (OT)
In Houston, the Texans, in overtime with one of the NFL’s worst teams, turned to their superstar to pull out the victory. Andre Johnson caught a screen pass from Matt Schaub and ran 48 yards for the winning touchdown to complete a rally by the Texans (9-1).
“All the good teams find a way to win, no matter if it’s ugly, pretty or whatever,” Johnson said.
Schaub threw a career-high five touchdown passes, completed a franchise-record 43 passes and finished with 527 yards in the air, second most in NFL history.
Schaub completed his final 16 passes in regulation time to rally the Texans.
Johnson caught 14 passes for 273 yards, both career highs.
Chad Henne threw a career-high four touchdown passes in relief of injured Blaine Gabbert for the Jaguars (1-9). First-round pick Justin Blackmon had his breakout game, making seven catches for 236 yards. It was the first time in NFL history opposing players each had more than 200 yards receiving.
Blackmon had a stunning 81-yard touchdown with 12:33 left in regulation to put Jacksonville up 34-20.
Schaub then threw two touchdown passes to tight end Garrett Graham in the final 5:39 to force overtime.