Miles' 250 Yards Leads Dallas To OT Win Over Chiefs

NFL News - October 11th, 2009 - Written by John

Dallas Cowboys' receiver Roy Williams said he had never been hit as hard as he was last week against Denver. Leaping for an errant pass, his body was exposed and he took a shot to his ribs that left him limping. He was forced to miss this week against Kansas City, allowing Miles Austin to make the first start of his career.

And oh, what a debut it was.

Austin was the hero on Sunday, catching a 59-yard touchdown pass from Tony Romo with just over two minutes remaining, then caught another 60-yard bomb in overtime to save the Dallas Cowboys from an embarassing loss to the Chiefs, 26-20. He had a startling 250 yards receiving on 10 catches against a dismal Kansas City secondary, averaging 25 yards per catch. Romo finished the day with a season-high 351 passing yards and two touchdowns. More importantly, he didn't throw a pick after a rocky performance in Denver that had many questioning his ability as a superior quarterback.

Before the two passes, it seemed as if Kansas City was going to get their first win of the season, keeping Dallas out of the end zone in the first half to take a 13-3 lead. Matt Cassel had a great day of his own, leading the Chiefs on a touchdown drive in the second quarter, capped off with a one-yard toss to Mike Vrabel, his 11th career touchdown. But he was mauled in the pocket all day by the Dallas defense, which had 11 hits, four pass deflections and four sacks.

Dallas' Tashard Choice finally snapped the touchdown skid with a 36-yard run, but Romo was still struggling under center. He had been held without a touchdown pass for 11 quarters, the longest streak of his career, and the Cowboys were merely tied after a Nick Folk field goal made it 13-13. Then came the fireworks. Austin already had 94 yards in the first three quarters but couldn't haul in anything of substance. But Romo exploded like a Little Leaguer when his wideout gobbled up his pass, then shed multiple tackles before strolling into the end zone to give Dallas it's first lead of the game, 20-13.

But the Kansas City Chiefs paid good money for their quarterback, too, and he wouldn't let the game slip away without a fight. Cassel marched his team 74 yards in the game's final two minutes to force overtime, hitting Dwayne Bowe over the middle from 16-yards out.

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