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 จC 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 Dolphinsกฏ 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).