Cowboys' defense keys win over Colts

[December 06, 2010]  INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- The Dallas Cowboys had a unique approach to limiting Peyton Manning's effectiveness.

Make him throw.

That might seem like an odd strategy against a four-time NFL MVP, but the Cowboys made it work. Dallas shut down Indianapolis' running game, then intercepted four of Manning's passes and returned two for touchdowns in a 38-35 overtime victory Sunday.

The Colts (6-6) rushed 17 times for just 40 yards. Manning completed 36 of 48 passes for 365 yards and two scores, but his mistakes -- and the Cowboys' opportunistic defense -- made the difference.

"We could not allow them to run the ball," linebacker Bradie James said. "We had to kill the run. We had to make him one-dimensional because it's a lot that he puts on his shoulders. If we made the right plays at the right times, we'd give ourselves a chance to win."

Manning looked like a rookie at times.

"There's nothing new or different about the defense Dallas was playing," he said. "The four interceptions, guys were covered, they shouldn't have been thrown. That's basic football."

The Cowboys were ready when opportunities arose. Even when Dallas (4-8) fell behind 28-27 in the fourth quarter after the Colts' Taj Smith blocked a punt and recovered it in the end zone, they bounced back and improved to 3-1 under interim coach Jason Garrett.

"That's the type of team we've got here," linebacker Anthony Spencer said. "We've been down this whole season, so stuff like that really doesn't bother us right now. We're just trying to keep getting the wins."

The Cowboys considered the win special because of their success against Manning.

"He is probably the best quarterback to ever play the game," said linebacker Sean Lee, who intercepted two passes and returned one for a score. "To be able to have four interceptions against him is unbelievable. It just shows the type of work we've been putting in at practice."

Early in the second quarter, Orlando Scandrick broke underneath Blair White's route, and his 40-yard interception return gave the Cowboys a 17-0 lead.

"I was in a zone," Scandrick said. "I kind of read his (Manning's) his eyes. I went and got the ball. The biggest thing is, I caught it."

Lee stepped in front of White in the third quarter and scored on a 31-yard return.

"It was a missed assignment, but it shouldn't have resulted in a turnover," Manning said. "I take full responsibility for the interception. Blair and I were on different pages there. Obviously, it might not be a completion, but it shouldn't have been an interception."

White saw it differently.

"I played like crap today," the rookie said. "It's not Peyton's fault. I missed some things, and so I don't know. He's on the same page with everyone else, it's just I'm missing some things."

Lee made another big play in overtime, intercepting a tipped pass on a third-and-1. Six plays later, David Buehler's 38-yard field goal ended the first overtime game at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Manning acknowledged that the Colts' running game has been struggling. Indy ran for just 24 yards on 13 carries the previous week in a 36-14 loss to San Diego. The Colts have been without starting running back Joseph Addai since Oct. 17 because of a nerve injury in his left shoulder.

"Obviously, we have to throw to move the ball right now," he said. "I think we know that right now. When we do move it, that's how we're doing it."

Everything wasn't great for Dallas' defense. Colts receiver Reggie Wayne caught 14 passes for 200 yards, both career highs. Wayne's catch total tied a franchise record, and his yardage total was fourth-best in team history.

But Dallas' offense matched the Colts' production without the mistakes. The Cowboys rushed for a season-high 217 yards and scored 20 points off the turnovers.

"You have to give them credit, too," Indianapolis coach Jim Caldwell said. "They did a nice job. They ran the ball well on us. They executed down the stretch. They were certainly operating extremely well. And we just didn't close it out."

NOTES: Manning had his 62nd 300-yard game, tying Brett Favre for No. 2 on the career list. Only Dan Marino (63) has more. ... Scandrick left the game with a concussion and did not return. Dallas receiver Dez Bryant fractured his right ankle.

[Associated Press; By CLIFF BRUNT]

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