The Cowboys proved tonight that they were the best team in the NFC. That said, Dallas got some good breaks. The injury to Brett Favre turned out to be better for the Packers, because Aaron Rodgers played the way that we expected Favre to play. Injuries to Charles Woodson and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila helped Dallas more than the Favre injury, though, I think, because the Cowboys’ receivers were able to run free downfield. Some other good fortune:

* Without Woodson in the game, the Packers were forced to play corners Jarrett Bush and Tramon Williams, both of whom where called for huge pass interference penalties on throws to Miles Austin.
* After Ryan Grant scored on his 62-yard run, the Packers attempted an onside kick and appeared to recover it. However, the ball hit fullback John Kuhn and so the Packers had to rekick.
* On a pass that was picked off by Ken Hamlin, Favre looked more like the 1994 version of him than the 2007 version of him.

Heroes of the game, to be sure:

* Tony Romo: He didn’t panic when the game became close, and he made the throws that counted. (19/30, 309 yards, 4 TD, 1 Int.)
* Terrell Owens: We can forgive him for the dropped pass in the end zone. At least now we can. (7 rec., 156 yards, 1 TD)
* Jason Witten: Helped put the game away with some huge receptions in the fourth quarter. (6 rec., 67 yards)
* Marion Barber: Among his titles: Mr. Dependable. (17 att., 81 yards)
* Anthony Henry: Strong game.
* Defense in general: Very good, with some lapses.
* [Updated] Miles Austin: Averaged 27 yards on six kickoff returns.
* [Updated] Kickoff coverage unit: The Packers were stuffed inside the 30 on most of the returns, which is a big improvement.

Some negatives from the game that need to be pointed out:

* Dallas did not look good defensively on the Packers’ final drive of the first half, which cut the Dallas lead to 27-17.
* Facing fourth down and a long yard (officially 4th-and-2), Dallas chose to give the ball to Julius Jones instead of Marion Barber. Jones was stuffed, and the Packers responded with a touchdown drive to cut the score to 27-24.
* On the Packers’ drive following the 4th down play, Greg Ellis grabbed Rodgers’ facemask, giving Green Bay a first down. That allowed the Packers’ drive to continue.
* If you haven’t seen it, you will: T.O. had the worst end zone drop since another #81 dropped a certain pass in a Super Bowl.

The drop/pick was the last *bad thing* that happened to Dallas. The defense held the Packers, who punted. Thanks to a 42-yard pass interference penalty, Dallas moved the ball inside the Green Bay 5, and Romo hit Patrick Crayton for a four-yard score to extend the lead to 34-24.

Mike McCarthy chose to kick a field goal on the next drive, and Dallas responded with a nine-play drive of its own, taking four minutes off the clock. A Nick Folk field goal iced it.

From NFL.com:

It was over when…
Packers CB Tramon Williams was flagged for pass interference against WR Miles Austin in the fourth quarter, with Green Bay trailing 27-24. The penalty took Dallas from the Packers’ 47 all the way to the 5-yard line. Three plays later, Tony Romo found Patrick Crayton in the end zone for the clinching touchdown with 7:51 remaining.

Game ball
Romo had another impressive Thursday, going 19 of 30 for 309 yards and four touchdowns. His lone interception came when a wide open Terrell Owens juggled a pass in the end zone that ended up in the hands of Packers CB Al Harris.

Key stat
The Packers were flagged for nine penalties, totaling 142 yards.

Noteworthy
The game marked the first time two teams with records of 10-1 or better faced off since the 10-1 New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers played on Dec. 3, 1990, and just the eighth time in NFL history. … While making a second quarter pass, Brett Favre took a hit on his right elbow by blitzing DB Nate Jones. The play resulted in an interception by CB Terrence Newman — Favre’s second of the game. Favre was replaced by third-year QB Aaron Rodgers on the ensuing posession and did not return. Rodgers finished the game 18 of 26 for 201 yards and one touchdown. … Favre’s first quarter interception was his first in 139 pass attempts. … Romo’s four TD passes gave him 33 on the season and moved him past Danny White for the single-season team record for touchdown passes (30). … With three catches for 42 yards, Crayton set a new season high in reception yards (524), eclipsing his former high of 516 set last season. … With his 10-yard TD reception in the second quarter, Owens now has 14 on the season, eclipsing his total from 2006 and matching the Cowboys team record held by Frank Clarke.