The Dallas Cowboys beat the St. Louis Rams 20-19 on Saturday night at Cowboys Stadium, with the Dallas starters dominating the Rams in the first half.
Tony Romo and Dwayne Harris took control of the game in the first quarter, with the duo connecting on a pair of touchdowns of 61 and 38 yards on back to back drives. The play of Harris likely answered lingering questions as to who will become the third receiver behind Miles Austin and Dez Bryant. Kevin Ogletree also had a strong game, catching five passes for 75 yards and once again proving to be a solid option for Romo.
The Cowboys defense would continue its dominant play of the preseason, holding the Rams starters to just six points in the first half. The defense would be put back on the field in the second quarter after a successful fake punt by the Rams but would stand tall at the goal line with cornerback Mo Claiborne deflecting a Sam Bradford pass on 4th-and-goal from the 5-yard line.
Romo and many of the Cowboys first-team offense was pulled after the first quarter, with the quarterback 9-of-13 for 198 yards and two touchdowns. DeMarco Murray would also continue his strong preseason play with five carries for 26 yards and two catches for 16 yards in the first quarter.
Kyle Orton was 9-of-12 for 99 yards in the second quarter, but the Cowboys offense would shut down in the second half under Stephen McGee and Rudy Carpenter. The Rams backups would score two fourth-quarter touchdowns to pull close to the Cowboys on the scoreboard, with Rams coach Jeff Fisher opting not to go for the two-point conversion in the final minutes of the game.
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