ARLINGTON, Texas -- In games like Sunday’s, momentum can swing at any moment and for the Cowboys, it swung at the end of the first half when the score was tied 14-14.
Taking over with 1:11 to play at their 20, the Cowboys got greedy with three straight passes that led to their only three-and-out of the game. After a 7-yard completion to Jason Witten, Tony Romo was forced to throw the ball away on second down and missed Dez Bryant on a slant on third down, forcing a punt.
Without having to use a timeout, the Saints were able to drive 51 yards on five plays to set up Garrett Hartley’s 37-yard field goal on the final snap of the first half to take a 17-14 lead.
“We just felt like we could move the ball against them,” coach Jason Garrett said. “We had a couple of those plays that were successful. We just didn’t convert the third down. Anytime you play an offense like this, it’s a double-edged sword. You want to limit their opportunities, but you have to take advantage of your opportunities.”