SportsDirect Inc. staff
Nov 24, 2011
Rookie Dan Bailey kicked a 28-yard field goal as time expired as the Dallas Cowboys gutted out a fourth straight victory with a 20-19 triumph over the upstart Miami Dolphins on Thursday.
It was the second straight game-winning kick for Bailey, who booted a 39-yard field goal to help Dallas to a 27-24 overtime victory over the NFC East rival Washington Redskins last week.
Bailey has made 26 straight kicks – one shy of tying the franchise record set by Chris Boniol in 1996.
Tony Romo shook off a pair of early interceptions and threw two touchdowns to Laurent Robinson. Romo improved to 5-0 on Thanksgiving and 19-2 in November, including 13-0 at home during the month.
Rookie DeMarco Murray ran for 87 yards on 22 carries for Dallas.
The Cowboys (7-4) have won four straight for the first time since 2007, but were pushed to the limit by Miami (3-8).
Former Cowboys backup Matt Moore threw for 288 yards and a touchdown for the Dolphins, who took a 19-17 lead with 7:18 left after Shayne Graham kicked his fourth field goal of the game.
They couldn't finish off Romo and the Cowboys, though. Dallas forced a three-and-out on the Dolphins’ next possession and Romo led a 10-play, 54-yard drive that culminated with Bailey splitting the uprights.
Miami stunned the crowd by scoring the first 10 points of the second half.
The Dolphins took a 16-10 lead late in the third quarter with a five-play, 74-yard drive. Moore kept the drive alive by hitting Brian Hartline for 41 yards on 3rd-and-13. One play later, he hooked up with Brandon Marshall for a 35-yard touchdown.
Romo answered by leading a 77-yard drive that culminated with an 18-yard touchdown pass to Robinson, who has seven touchdowns over the last five games while filling in for Miles Austin (hamstring).