Jean-Jacques Taylor

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. – In the end, Miles Austin found himself buried in the end zone beneath a pile of jubilant teammates screaming like grade-school kids at recess.

It doesn't get any better than that.

Austin's fabulous record-setting performance – he caught 10 passes for 250 yards and two touchdowns – didn't just etch his name into the Cowboys' annals and propel Dallas to a 26-20 overtime win over the hapless Kansas City Chiefs.

If you're honest, admittedly difficult for those of you wearing rose-colored Ray-Bans, then you know Austin's 60-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown saved the season.

All you had to do was watch the players sprinting from the sideline to join the end zone celebration to understand the significance of beating the winless, hapless, raggedy Chiefs.

That's why the locker room vibe felt a lot closer to relief than satisfaction. You don't have to take my word, just listen to Jerry Jones.

"A loss, no matter how you couch it, would've been pretty significant for us," Jerry said. "I think we're looking up, even though we really stunk today. We had to win in spite of all that. I saw the same game you saw."

If Dallas had lost, the next two weeks would've been consumed with chatter about Wade Phillips' inevitable firing and whether Mike Shanahan, Mike Holmgren, Jon Gruden or Jerry himself would replace him.

No more.

Now, we'll be talking about whether Austin is ready to start and how Jason Garrett, who handles the play-calling, can get him the ball. It's pretty easy to make a case for Austin, since he broke Bob Hayes' 43-year-old Cowboys record for receiving yards in a game.

The Cowboys released Terrell Owens, in part, because they wanted to make sure they gave Austin, a 25-year-old, four-year veteran, an opportunity to maximize his potential.

Since his 42-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown ignited Dallas to a win over Tampa Bay in the opener, Austin had caught just four passes for 39 yards. Still, the 6-3, 214-pounder with excellent speed remained the only receiver on this roster capable of consistently providing this plodding offense with big plays.

Austin has seven career touchdowns. Average length: 40.8 yards. Three have covered more than 50 yards.

Let that marinate.

In the previous three games, Tony Romo completed just three passes of 20 yards or more to his wide receivers. On Sunday, he completed four of more than 30 yards to Austin.

Each big play led to points.

"I told him not to go all Hollywood on me," receivers coach Ray Sherman said.

There's not much chance of that.

Austin, humble after the game, deflected virtually all credit to his teammates and Romo.

After all, he understands he must run more consistent routes and reduce the dropped passes. Imagine his numbers if he hadn't dropped two other potential touchdown passes.

Actually, most folks won't remember the best catch he made, because it occurred in the third quarter with Dallas trailing, 13-3, and desperately needing points.

On third-and-6 from the Dallas 32, Romo eluded the rush long enough to find Austin in the middle of the field. Austin leaped, absorbing a big hit from safety Mike Brown, but he caught the ball for a 9-yard gain.

Six plays later, Tashard Choice dashed for a 36-yard touchdown, pulling Dallas within a field goal.

"I never saw a day like today coming," Austin said. "I was ready to play, but you can never expect to have a day like this."

This is the guy Jerry envisioned when he signed Austin to a one-year deal worth $1.45 million in the off-season. Austin, an undrafted free agent from Monmouth (N.J.), made the first start of his career against the Chiefs because Roy Williams missed the game with three bruised ribs.

Phillips challenged Austin to perform at a high level during the week. So did Sherman.

He delivered, saving the season.