The Dallas Cowboys suddenly have learned to win close games, and coach Jason Garrett is making all the right clock-management decisions.
In this long, winding NFL campaign, here's a sentence no one saw coming at midseason: We have a three-way tie atop the NFC East.
The Cowboys outlasted the Pittsburgh Steelers27-24 in overtime Sunday in one of the more entertaining, evenly matched games of the season. Both teams have struggled with injuries, especially on defense, but they attacked this game with the intensity of a playoff contest.
The Cowboys needed the win more, and they got it through excellent quarterback play and timely defense. Tony Romo threw for 341 yards without a turnover, and he came up with another fourth-quarter comeback. The Steelers' offense moved the ball well during the middle portion of the game, having scored in four of their last five possessions going into the fourth quarter.
On NFL Network
NFL Replay will re-air the Dallas Cowboys' 27-24 OT win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 15 on Wednesday, Dec. 19 at 9 p.m. ET.
After that: Punt, punt and an interception to start overtime that essentially ended the game.
Cowboys cornerback Brandon Carr picked off a Ben Roethlisberger pass to start the extra session, setting up Dan Bailey's game-winning field goal.
The Cowboys spent the first part of the season finding every imaginable way to lose. Now they are finding ways to pull out games. At 8-6, they still have a solid chance to win the NFC East or make the playoffs as a wild card.
Follow Gregg Rosenthal on Twitter @greggrosenthal.