Dallas Cowboys Drop Ball Against New York Giants, Lose 31-24

The Cowboys had a chance to put the Giants out of the playoff picture yesterday and let all doubters know that this December will be different.

Instead, the Dallas defense and special teams gave up big plays in the second half and left New York City with a 31-24 loss, making the rest of the month even harder on them.

The offense had a good day despite the running game gaining just 45 yards on 23 carries.

Tony Romo had a career-high in completions, attempts and passing yards, going 41-of-55 for 392 yards and three touchdowns. He didn't throw an interception and constantly kept the Cowboys moving with an ineffective running game.

The Cowboys went up 10-0 when Roy Williams caught his first touchdown on a jump ball, beating Corey Webster. It was at that point the Cowboys defense changed for the rest of the game.

The Giants took the ball with three minutes left and drove down the field in just 1:28 after three consecutive 16-yard plays. Eli Manning capped the drive by when he connected with Hakeem Nicks for a 21-yard touchdown pass.

Romo tried to get the Cowboys down the field before the half, but running back Marion Barber fumbled on a screen pass. Osi Umenyiora returned the fumble to the Cowboys 28-yard line, and four plays later Brandon Jacobs' one-yard touchdown run gave the Giants a 14-10 halftime lead.

In the second half Dallas struck first, as the Cowboys started their third drive of the quarter at their own 44 and Romo drove the offense to the Giants five-yard line. After faking a hand-off to Barber, then faking a pitch to Austin, Romo found Williams wide open in the back of the end zone, making it 17-14 Cowboys.

Once again, the Cowboys' defense failed to hold the lead. On the first play of the Giants next possession, Brandon Jacobs caught a check-down pass from Manning and ran 74 yards for a touchdown.

Special teams was also a huge let down for Dallas as Domenik Hixon returned a punt 74 yards late in the fourth to seal the game. After the Cowboys added a touchdown, their onside kick attempt was unsuccessful and the Giants ran out the clock. Nick Folk also missed two field goals, making him 16-for-24 on the season.

Romo shared the ball with his three favorite receivers who had solid games. Williams had arguably his best game as a Cowboy with six catches for 60 yards and two touchdowns. Jason Witten had a career-high in receiving yards with 156 on 14 catches. Miles Austin had 10 catches for 104 yards and one score.

Terence Newman, Orlando Scandrick and Mike Jenkins once again let Steve Smith run wild as he caught six balls for 110 yards. He would've had more had he not dropped two passes that hit him right in the hands. Jenkins did have an interception in his own end zone that stalled a potential scoring drive for the Giants in the third quarter.

Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips didn't seem too concerned after the game, but he should be. The Cowboys now go home to face the San Diego Chargers, who've won seven in a row. They then face a short week against the Saints in New Orleans.

This two-game stretch could put the Cowboys at 8-6 heading into the last two weeks of the season. That could put the Cowboys out of the playoffs and Phillips out of a job.