Jean-Jacques Taylor

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ARLINGTON – For the first time this season, Mr. Fix It's defense sacked an opposing quarterback. The defense also collected its first turnovers – two interceptions and a fumble – this season.

Hallelujah.

Miracles do exist.

In the process, Mr. Fix It's defense proved it's capable of playing a complete game as the Cowboys beat Carolina, 21-7.

The Panthers aren't that good offensively.

Yes, DeAngelo Williams is a nice running back, and we all know the real Steve Smith is one of the NFL's best receivers. But quarterback Jake Delhomme has struggled, which is the primary reason their offense has been unproductive.

Still, you should give Wade Phillips credit for listening to his players and simplifying the game plan. More base defense and fewer gimmicks.

It makes sense.

Players who know what they're doing, play instinctively. They play fast. They play aggressively because they know what chances they can take within the scheme.

Players who aren't sure what they're doing, think way too much in a game where one false step can lead to disaster.

That's why the Cowboys spent much of the game in their base defense.

Delhomme passed for 220 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. Williams rushed for 64 yards, while Smith caught just four passes for 38 yards.

None was a factor.

Terence Newman, awful last week against the Giants, played easily his best game of the season. He shadowed Smith – safety Ken Hamlin provided deep help – and did not allow a reception of more than 15 yards.

Impressive.

So was the job the run defense did on Williams, who gained 1,515 yards rushing and scored 18 touchdowns last season.

Linebacker Keith Brooking played his best game, and defensive linemen Jay Ratliff and Igor Olshansky did a good job of holding their ground at the line of scrimmage.

The Cowboys sacked Delhomme three times – twice in the fourth quarter – and pressured him much of the game. He never came close to finding a rhythm.

Ratliff recorded the Cowboys' first sack of the season in the third quarter. Mike Jenkins had collected the defense's first turnover, in the second quarter when he intercepted Delhomme's underthrown pass.

The unit that failed to stop the run in Week 1 or the pass in Week 2 kept both facets of Carolina's offense in control.

Phillips and the players vowed to play better after their raggedy performance against the Giants last week left the Cowboys near the bottom of the league in most key defensive stats.

"We couldn't do nothing but get better," Bradie James said.

In the end, the game is about making plays.

No more. No less.

Last week against the Giants, no defensive player made a play in the fourth quarter as Eli Manning positioned New York for a game-winning field goal as time expired.

This time Newman made the play of the game with 5:07 left, and Dallas leading, 13-7.

Delhomme threw a slant that seemed like it was intended for Newman instead of Smith. Newman intercepted and returned it 27 yards for a touchdown.

Ball game.

"Sometimes, someone has to make a play," DeMarcus Ware said. "T-New did it, and we won the game. That's what it takes to win. It's about making plays."

Dallas won because its defense kept making plays. Carolina managed just 96 yards and five first downs in the second half.

When Dallas pulled within 7-3 in the third quarter, the defense forced Carolina to punt without getting a first down. When Tashard Choice's 5-yard touchdown run pushed the lead to 10-7, the defense forced another punt without a yielding a first down.

A 19-yard field goal by Nick Folk extended the lead to 13-7 midway through the fourth quarter, which meant Carolina was still just one play from stealing the game.

We've seen it happen before.

That's when Newman made the game's biggest play. On the sideline, Mr. Fix It smiled and pumped his fist.