Halfway home and still perfect; Falcons move to 8-0 in win over Cowboys

ATLANTA -- Michael Turner had a tiebreaking 3-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, Matt Bryant kicked four field goals and the Atlanta Falcons beat the Dallas Cowboys 19-13 on Sunday night to extend their run as the NFL's only unbeaten team.

Turner had 20 carries for 102 yards and Matt Ryan had a season-high 342 yards passing for the Falcons (8-0), who took their first lead with 14:16 left in the game.

Tony Romo completed 6 of 6 passes for 78 yards, including a 21-yard scoring pass to Kevin Ogletree, on the Cowboys' touchdown drive later in the fourth.

The Falcons then worked the clock, holding the ball for 5 minutes, 4 seconds, leaving only 17 seconds left after Bryant's 32-yard field goal.

The Cowboys burned all their timeouts as Ryan kept the Falcons' offense on the field in the crucial time-consuming drive. Ryan passed to Jacquizz Rodgers for 31 yards and 11 yards on third-down plays. A defensive holding call against cornerback Orlando Scandrick on another third down prolonged the drive.

Finally, the Cowboys stopped Turner on a third-down run at the Dallas 14.

Romo never attempted a deep pass, though he had only 17 seconds to cover 80 yards. He found Jason Witten for passes of 7 and 11 yards, leaving 9 seconds. He passed to Felix Jones for 8 yards, leaving time for one play from the Cowboys 40.

Romo scrambled before passing to Jones, who was dropped near the Atlanta 22 to end the game.

Romo completed 25 of 35 passes for 321 yards and one touchdown.

Ryan was 24 for 34. Roddy White had seven catches for 118 yards and passed Terance Mathis for the most receptions in Falcons history.

There were no turnovers in the game.

Dallas (3-5) has lost four of its last five.

For three quarters, the game was a kicking exhibition.

Bryant kicked field goals of 45 and 46 yards in the second quarter for Atlanta's only points before Turner's touchdown. Bryant also missed from 43 and 37 yards, wide right each time.

Dan Bailey's field goals from 23 and 32 yards were the Cowboys' only points. He missed from 54 yards.

Ryan was sacked three times and faced constant pressure from the Dallas defense.

Ryan's 48-yard pass to Julio Jones set up Bryant's 36-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, pushing the lead to 16-6.

Dallas nose tackle Jay Ratliff suffered an apparent left leg injury late in the first half but returned in the second half.

Falcons defensive tackle Peria Jerry left the game in the second quarter with a knee injury and did not return.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2012/11/254859