News: ST: Cowboys convert their third downs when it matters most

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The Cowboys entered the game 0-for-their-last-12 on third down. They had missed on their final three third downs against the Vikings, dating to the third quarter of that game, and then went 0-for-9 against the Saints.

Their first conversion Sunday came with 6:54 remaining on a Tony Romo touchdown pass to Jason Witten on third-and-goal from the 2. They had been 0-for-5 before that.

On their last drive, though, the one that mattered most: The Cowboys converted all three third downs to allow Dan Bailey to win the game on the final play.

"I just made sure to save all of our good third downs for that last drive," Romo said. "I think we had some good plays up. Guys made some good plays and ran some good routes. It just comes down to execution at that point."

Cole Beasley made the biggest catch, with a 13-yard reception to the New York 15 with 1:17 remaining.

“They just called the empty package,” Beasley said. “We had two good routes on both sides. Then, Tony just had enough faith in me to come my way and the line held up. It was just a good play. Perfect throw by Tony.”

Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said the Cowboys still need to get better at converting on third down.

“I don’t think the third downs were great today,” Garrett said. “I thought they were OK. They were good at the critical moments. Obviously, making the third down at the end of the game to get us right down in there was a big play. It was a real credit to the guys to keep banging away. Our guys hung in there, and we made the third downs in the critical moments.”

-- Charean Williams

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