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Mike Vanderjagt said he rushed both field goal attempts. Vanderjagt said he didn't give holder Tony Romo enough time to bring the ball down and set it.

"I'm just there before its ready to be kicked, and I figure it out as I go along," Vanderjagt said. "I usually don't miss two in a row because I figure out why I missed the first one. Then I compensate on the second one."

— Calvin Watkins

Kevin Burnett was a senior at Dominquez High School in Compton, Calif., the last time he scored a touchdown.

"Scored 16 of them," Burnett said. "I was a running back. I did a little of everything."

	Cowboys 21, Colts 14
	It's Cowboys over Colts down the stretch Cowlishaw: Romo outplays class of the NFL with poise Taylor: Vanderjagt a money kicker? Not right now Moore: Cowboys cash in on mistakes Jones, Barber break through Glenn puts his slant on the offense 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 Sports front page (.pdf) All-time vs. Indianapolis Cowboys opponent gamer More Cowboys

Burnett's touchdown, a 39-yard interception return in the third quarter, was the third by the Cowboys' defense this season, their most defensive scores since 2001 when linebacker Dexter Coakley returned two interceptions for a touchdown and cornerback Mario Edwards had one.

Linebacker Bradie James (interception return vs. Tennessee) and DeMarcus Ware (fumble return vs. Philadelphia) had the other touchdowns this season.

— Todd Archer

The Cowboys replaced Greg Ellis with at least five players Sunday.

Out for the season with a torn Achilles', Ellis was replaced at strong-side linebacker in the starting lineup by Al Singleton, who split time with Bobby Carpenter, the team's first-round draft pick.

On the nickel defense, DeMarcus Ware moved over at times to Ellis' left defensive end spot, and rookie Jason Hatcher played right defensive end. Kevin Burnett even saw time as a pass rusher in the nickel defense.

Defensive end Marcus Spears said Ellis told the defense to "get around" Colts quarterback Peyton Manning before the game.

Spears said Ellis watched film with his teammates last week "because he's so used to doing it."

Without Ellis, quarterback Drew Bledsoe served as the Cowboys' lone captain.

— Todd Archer and Matt Mosley

Starting cornerbacks Anthony Henry and Terence Newman were hurt but returned to the game.

Newman was hurt on a punt return with 45 seconds left in the first quarter. Newman didn't fair catch a punt and took a hard, clean hit from Kelvin Hayden. Newman was replaced by Aaron Glenn and didn't return until two minutes remained in the first half.

Henry was shaken with 7:52 to play in the third quarter. As he was making a tackle on tight end Ben Utecht, strong safety Roy Williams, trying to hit Utecht, accidentally hit Henry under the chin. The hit sent Henry to the turf, face first. Henry returned after missing only one play.

Newman finished with four tackles and Henry with three.

— Calvin Watkins

In order to avoid confusion from the Colts' fast-paced attack, every Cowboys linebacker and defensive back wore wristbands with the play calls from coordinator Mike Zimmer.

Inside linebacker Bradie James generally makes the defensive calls, but the Colts often do not huddle, making it difficult to substitute. The Cowboys were caught with 12 men on the field once.

"Instead of one guy making the call, everybody looked over to the sideline and knew what was going on," inside linebacker Akin Ayodele said.

— Todd Archer

The Cowboys might have found their replacement for Tyson Thompson on kickoffs in rookie receiver Miles Austin.

Austin averaged 29.5 yards on two kick returns Sunday, nearly breaking the opening kick before settling for 31 yards.

"I was trying to hit the corner and turn it up," Austin said. "They did a great job of blocking up front. The coaches were saying it's been awhile since we had [a touchdown return]. Hopefully we can get it done."

— Todd Archer

Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth returned after a five-game suspension for stomping the face of Cowboys center Andre Gurode. Haynesworth didn't start but had one tackle in the Titans' victory over Philadelphia.

Gurode has accepted an apology from Haynesworth.

"This is his job and this is his profession," Gurode said. "He called and he gave me his number, and I still have it and I may call him after the season."

On an ESPN interview with Michael Irvin, Haynesworth said he was humbled that Gurode accepted the apology.

— Calvin Watkins

When cornerback Aaron Glenn left the stadium he was holding the game ball. Glenn said he couldn't remember the last time he had one, but Tony Romo gave it to him.

"It felt good," said Glenn, who finished with four tackles and one pass defended. "It's no big deal, I've got them before."

Glenn got the ball for deflecting a pass to Marvin Harrison. The loose ball landed in the hands of Kevin Burnett, who returned the ball 39 yards for a touchdown.

— Calvin Watkins

Linebacker Ryan Fowler broke the index finger on his left hand covering a kickoff but remained in the game and made two tackles. He will see a hand specialist but does not expect to miss any time.

— Todd Archer

DE Jay Ratliff's first quarter fumble recovery was his third of the season. The team record is five, set by Don Healy in 1961. ... RBs Skyler Green and Keylon Kincade, CB fNate Jones, NT Montavious Stanley, guard Cory Procter, DE Stephen Bowen, T Pat McQuistan and TE Tony Curtis were inactive. ... Punter Mat McBriar had a 63-yard punt, the seventh kick of more than 60 yards this season. Nineteen of his 40 punts have been for more than 50 yards. ... Rocky Boiman, who received a $1 million signing bonus as a free agent from the Cowboys but was one of the final cuts in training camp, served as one of Indianapolis' captains. ... The staging for Thursday's halftime show featuring Carrie Underwood was being put in place after the game.

— Calvin Watkins

— Calvin Watkins