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Bailey Bounces Back, Cowboys Beat Panthers

Updated: Sunday, October 21 2012, 06:25 PM CDT
On the next play, cornerback Morris Claiborne collided with Panthers receiver Louis Murphy before the ball arrived, but no flag was thrown and the Cowboys took over on downs.

"I felt like I got pushed early," Murphy said. "He kind of hooked me and pushed me in the back before the ball got there."

Claiborne saw it differently.

"I felt I had good coverage," he said.

The Cowboys took over and ran more time off the clock, but on third-and-4 at the Carolina 18, running back Phillip Tanner lost 2 yards. Bailey added his fourth field goal - a 38-yarder - with 53 seconds left.

Garrett said he made the decision to run the ball because he was confident his defense, ranked second in the league, could hold the Panthers.

"We trust our defense immensely," Garrett said. "Our defense is outstanding and they've played great all year long."

Romo didn't disagree with the call.

"You weigh what coverages they've been playing throughout the day," Romo said. "You also look at how well your defense has played throughout the day. ... It's very hard to be in their position, 53 seconds left, and you need a touchdown."

With no timeouts left, the Panthers weren't able to get past midfield on their final possession.

"We missed an opportunity," Panthers coach Ron Rivera said. "It kind of epitomizes what has happened" this season.

The Panthers came in looking to establish their running game and started Jonathan Stewart at running back instead of DeAngelo Williams. Stewart was limited to 35 yards on 10 carries and Williams only carried twice for 4 yards.

Newton was the team's leading rusher with 64 yards on six carries, most of those coming off scrambles rather than designed runs.

NOTES: Cowboys WR Dez Bryant started despite a groin injury. On Bryant's first play he was penalized for unnecessary roughness after shoving Panthers players following a punt return. ... Cowboys C Phil Costa was carted off the field in the second quarter with his right leg in an air cast. ... The Panthers were without LB Jon Beason and CB Chris Gamble, while the Cowboys played without RB DeMarco Murray.Bailey Bounces Back, Cowboys Beat Panthers