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Dallas Wins NFC East Title

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By LARRY LAGE, The Associated Press

Published: December 10, 2007

Updated: 12/09/2007 10:56 pm

DETROIT - Tony Romo and Jason Witten put mistakes behind them well enough to connect on a game-winning touchdown that gave the Dallas Cowboys the NFC East title.

Romo threw a 16-yard pass to Witten with 18 seconds left, lifting Dallas to a 28-27 win against deflated Detroit on Sunday.

The quarterback fumbled near midfield on the drive and the bouncing football was recovered by a teammate after going through a linebacker's hands. The tight end lost the football on the previous possession, less than 1 yard from a go-ahead score.

"I was excited to have the ball back after thinking I lost the game for us," said Witten, who set a franchise record with 15 receptions and had a career-high 138 yards receiving.

Dallas (12-1) clinched the NFC East for the first time since 1998 and moved a step closer to earning homefield advantage in the conference playoffs.

"It's important for us to win our division so that we can play at home," said Coach Wade Phillips, sporting a white championship hat and T-shirt. "We're going to play at least one game at home. We're now going to try and get a bye and also get homefield."

The Lions (6-7) are left wondering why their season fell apart after winning six of their first eight games, creating a positive buzz for the first time since Matt Millen took charge of the once-mediocre franchise in 2001.

After losing five straight, they officially can't live up to quarterback Jon Kitna's expectations of a 10-win season.The Cowboys would not have won without Romo's steady leadership and Witten's soft hands, and their ability to forget about miscues.

Romo was 35 of 44 for 302 yards and two TDs, helping the Cowboys win 12 of their first 13 games for the first time in franchise history.

"I'm not trying to prove anything to anybody else but myself and my teammates that we're good enough to win a Super Bowl," Romo said.

The Lions had chances to win a game only they thought they could. Kevin Jones ran for 92 yards and two scores, T.J. Duckett had a 32-yard TD run and Detroit led 27-14 after three quarters.

After Marion Barber scored for the third time early in the fourth period, the Lions had an opportunity to go ahead 30-21. But Jason Hanson's 35-yard field-goal attempt sailed just wide right.

"You don't say it's over, but that was the season," Hanson said.

Det-Duckett 32 run (Hanson kick), 7:35.

Det-FG Hanson 19, :08.

Second Quarter

Dal-Barber 20 run (Folk kick), 12:13.

Det-FG Hanson 36, 8:22.

Det-K.Jones 2 run (Hanson kick), 1:41.

Dal-Barber 8 pass from Romo (Folk kick), :29.

Third Quarter

Det-K.Jones 3 run (Hanson kick), 4:19.

Fourth Quarter

Dal-Barber 1 run (Folk kick), 14:12.

Dal-Witten 16 pass from Romo (Folk kick), :18.

A-62,759.

RUSHING-Dallas, Barber 7-43, J.Jones 8-29, Romo 1-15. Detroit, Jones 23-92, Duckett 9-60.

PASSING-Dallas, Romo 35-44-0-302. Detroit, Kitna 22-36-0-248.

RECEIVING-Dallas, Witten 15-138, Barber 10-61, Crayton 3-46, Owens 3-21, Hurd 2-23, J.Jones 2-13. Detroit, McDonald 8-96, Johnson 5-51, McHugh 3-60, Furrey 2-15, Middleton 2-12, Jones 1-10, Cason 1-4.

MISSED FIELD GOALS-Dallas, Folk 50 (WL). Detroit, Hanson 35 (WR).

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