Cowboys 13, Buccaneers 9

IRVING, Texas -- Brad Johnson made up for several missed chances at touchdowns by throwing one to newcomer Roy Williams at the end of a drive sustained by four defensive penalties, and the much-maligned Dallas defense made it hold up for a 13-9 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Cowboys (5-3) gained only 173 yards, but with Coach Wade Phillips taking a “more active” role in his defense, they put the clamps on Jeff Garcia and the Buccaneers (5-3).

Tampa Bay got two first-quarter field goals and another in the third quarter, but that was it.

Johnson, starting because Tony Romo has a broken pinkie on his throwing hand, completed 19 of 33 passes for only 122 yards.

His longest pass went for only 14 yards, and it was on a dump-off to running back Marion Barber. Johnson also was sacked three times.

Quoteworthy: “We knew going in it was going to be an ugly game at times.” -- Brad Johnson, Cowboys quarterback