IRVING, Texas — After all he and the Dallas Cowboys went through the last week, Tony Romo was one clutch play from the ultimate peacemaker: a victory.

And, for that clutch play, he threw to good pal Jason Witten.

This time, Terrell Owens was fine with that.

Witten gained 11 yards on a third-and-9 late in the fourth quarter, keeping the New York Giants from getting the ball back with time to pull off a comeback. Then rookie Tashard Choice followed with a 38-yard touchdown run and the Cowboys beat the Giants, 20-8, last night to help their playoff chances and, perhaps, ensure at least a week's worth of locker-room harmony.

"It was just something we had to deal with," said Owens, no stranger to controversy. "We just stuck together. We knew what was important and that was the game today."

DeMarcus Ware sacked Eli Manning on New York's first snap and the pressure never stopped for the Cowboys (9-5). Ware finished with three sacks, upping his NFL-leading total to 19, and Dallas rang up a season-high eight.

Cornerback Terence Newman, involved in his own tiff this week, intercepted two passes and the Cowboys kept the Giants (11-3) without a touchdown for the first time since November 2004.

The Giants locked up the NFC East title last Sunday, but have lost consecutive games for the first time since starting 0-2 last season.

The Cowboys' rough week started with owner Jerry Jones questioning the toughness of running back Marion Barber for missing last week's loss at Pittsburgh because of a dislocated right pinkie toe, and it ended with Newman accusing coaches of not being as accountable for mistakes as they expected players to be.

The main event was talk of Owens being upset about the close relationship between Romo and Witten. There was a confirmed meeting of Owens and two other receivers with offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, and reports of a late-week confrontation between Owens and Witten, which the Cowboys deny happened.

FALCONS 13, BUCCANEERS 10

ATLANTA — Michael Turner ran for 152 yards, John Abraham had three sacks and Jason Elam, a University of Hawai'i alum, kicked a 34-yard field goal in overtime for the Falcons (9-5).

Tampa Bay blocked a punt with less than 3 minutes left in regulation that set up Matt Bryant's tying field goal with 48 seconds left.

But the Falcons stuffed Tampa Bay on the first possession of overtime. After the punt, Atlanta drove for Elam's winning kick, handing the Bucs (9-5) their second straight loss.

VIKINGS 35, CARDINALS 14

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Tarvaris Jackson got another shot at starting quarterback, and boy did he make the most of it against the Cardinals (8-6). Playing in place of injured Gus Frerotte, Jackson threw for four touchdowns and the Vikings (9-5) stayed alone atop the NFC North.

Adrian Peterson rushed for 165 yards on 28 carries, his franchise record ninth 100-yard game of the season for the Vikings, who won their fourth straight.

Bernard Berrian scored Minnesota's first two touchdowns — on an 82-yard punt return and 41-yard reception.

SEAHAWKS 23, RAMS 20

ST. LOUIS — Olindo Mare's 27-yard field goal as time expired lifted the Seahawks (3-11), who broke a six-game slide.

Seattle tied the game on T.J. Duckett's 1-yard run with 2:47 to go.

The Rams (2-12) scored 17 points in the first half, more than in all but two entire games, while rolling up 243 yards.