Safety Gerald Sensabaugh had an interception and a hand in a special teams touchdown for Dallas, while quarterback Tony Romo connected often with wide receiver Dez Bryant, and the Cowboys beat Minnesota 23-17.
Testing out the new turf under the replaced roof at the Metrodome in the first game in the building since a snowstorm last December severely damaged the 29-year-old stadium, Donovan McNabb and the rest of Minnesota’s offensive starters were sharp.
But Sensabaugh stopped a long drive by diving to catch a pass batted at the line by Jason Hatcher for an interception at the Dallas 19 in the second quarter.
Just a few minutes earlier, Sensabaugh leaped high at the line and appeared to tip Ryan Longwell’s 47-yard field-goal attempt. Cornerback Orlando Scandrick was in the backfield, too, and was officially credited with the block.
Cornerback Alan Ball picked up the rolling ball and grabbed it again after losing control before running the remaining 20 yards for a score.
Romo went 15 for 20 for 141 yards in one half, firing five passes for 67 yards to Bryant.
Miles Austin was out, which undoubtedly increased Bryant's target total, but it was good to see him and Romo clicking given how much time Romo missed in 2010. Donovan McNabb looked revitalized and even made Bernard Berrian look good. McNabb doesn't offer much potential as a QB2, but he might be useable in an emergency.
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