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Jason Witten figured he would get more catches with a mobile quarterback. He was right. Witten had season highs in catches (six) and yards (80).

Witten had the Cowboys' first score on a 3-yard touchdown reception with 12:12 left in the first half.

He also made two key plays on Dallas' go-ahead scoring drive in the fourth quarter.

Witten caught a 26-yard pass on second-and-10 from the Carolina 48 early in the drive. Then on third-and-12 from the 24, Witten grabbed a 16-yarder before taking a hard hit from Carolina's Mike Minter.

	Cowboys 35, Panthers 14
	A quarter and change: Romo rallies Cowboys Cowlishaw: Romo looks like man for job but give an assist to Panthers Taylor: Parcells gets credit for this win, but he's still on hook for season Defense starts to get stingy Night to forget for Keyshawn Todd Archer's Cowboys report card Calvin Watkins' five plays that shaped the game Notebook Game photos Game summary Official NFL summary (.pdf) Grade the Cowboys' performance Tell Us: Who is your game MVP? Sports front page (.pdf) All-time vs. Carolina More Cowboys

"Wit gets open now," quarterback Tony Romo said. "He's a good player. I'm going to keep finding him, hopefully."

— Calvin Watkins

With Patrick Watkins remaining in Dallas, Keith Davis and Marcus Coleman split the free safety spot Sunday against Carolina.

After a series of misplays on deep balls by Watkins in his first six starts, coach Bill Parcells decided to make made the change. Davis worked mostly in running situations, and Marcus Coleman was in on passing downs.

Davis started 15 games last year and had 68 tackles, but he did not have an interception and recovered one fumble. Davis did not play last week against the New York Giants because of an ankle injury.

Coleman missed the first four games of the season, serving a suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy. He returned for a week of practice before he was released in a salary-cap move. He was re-signed Oct. 17 and played a special-teams role against the Giants.

— Todd Archer

Parcells said he would be more involved in the structure of Sunday's game plan, but he did not appear to be any more involved in the play calling.

Running game coordinator Tony Sparano continued to call the plays, with passing game coordinator Todd Haley relaying them to Tony Romo. Parcells, however, maintains veto power on the calls.

Parcells called plays his first two years with the Cowboys before handing them over to Sean Payton last season and Sparano this season.

— Todd Archer

Two weeks ago, Oliver Hoyte was a little-used backup linebacker. On Sunday, Hoyte, who moved to fullback for last week's game, saw extended action in the base offense as a lead blocker.

Hoyte caused a fumble by Richard Marshall on a second-quarter kickoff.

Sunday's game was a homecoming of sorts for Hoyte, who played at North Carolina State. He had 99 tackles as a senior and 93 tackles as a junior.

— Todd Archer

For the first time since 2001, Drew Bledsoe was healthy and not a starting quarterback in the NFL. He was ready for that after coach Bill Parcells made the change, and Tony Romo appreciated the veteran's support Sunday.

"Before the game, he said he was rooting for me," Romo said. "Drew, he's a really classy guy. I tell you what, if it wasn't for him, I don't think I'd be here today."

— Todd Archer

Tyson Thompson broke his left ankle on a first-quarter kickoff return. It's not known if it's a season-ending injury.

Thompson was hit out of bounds by Karl Hankton after a 37-yard return that set up the Cowboys' first touchdown. Hankton was penalized for unnecessary roughness.

Thompson went to the locker room in the second quarter for X-rays and was replaced on returns by Aaron Glenn.

— Todd Archer

The Cowboys' locker room was a jubilant place late Sunday night, made even more jubilant when coach Bill Parcells gave the players today off.

"That's new to me coming from Bill," safety Marcus Coleman said. "I don't remember many, 'Victory Mondays,' but I'm glad we got one. It's just a reward for everybody coming out and showing up and stepping up to the challenge."

— Todd Archer

Terrell Owens had been waiting for a game like Sunday's. He did not score a touchdown, but he caught a season-high nine passes for a season-high 107 yards.

"I've always gone into the game wanting the ball," Owens said. "It just so happens that Tony gives us some opportunities, I just happened to be on the receiving end of that tonight. ... Tony was scanning the field and the defense and put the ball in the right places at the right time."

Romo said he was just trying to make plays.

"I usually throw to whomever is open," Romo said. "That's just usually how I play. I go to whomever is open. I don't try to pick it out. I don't predetermine where I'm going. If you're going to get open, I'll get you the ball."

— Todd Archer

The offensive line allowed two sacks, but that's a far better effort than the four sacks they allowed last Monday night against the New York Giants.

Tony Romo moved around enough to avoid sacks and get the ball downfield.

"It was a tough task because they got a great defensive line," center Andre Gurode said. "As an offensive unit, we knew it wasn't going to be pretty, but we had to keep fighting, and when you fight long enough, things will go your way."

— Calvin Watkins

Wide receivers Skyler Green and Miles Austin, cornerback Nate Jones, guard Cory Procter, tackle Pat McQuistan, linebacker Junior Glymph, safety Patrick Watkins and defensive end Jason Hatcher were inactive.

Hatcher has missed the last two games because of an ankle injury. In his absence, nose tackle J'Vonne Parker was active for the second straight game, and Kenyon Coleman played tackle in passing situations.

— Todd Archer

— Calvin Watkins