NFL: Dallas Cowboys edge past Houston Texans, New Orleans Saints claim big win

The Dallas Cowboys improved their 2014 record to 4-1 after clinching a 20-17 overtime victory against the Houston Texans at AT&T Stadium.

Dallas were 10 points ahead at the start of the fourth quarter thanks to touchdowns from Terrance Williams and Dez Bryant and a Dan Bailey field goal.

However, Houston (3-2) fought back as Arian Foster ran in his second score of the game which, added to a field goal from Randy Bullock, brought the scores level.

The Cowboys had the chance to win the game in regulation time but Bailey, who was on a run of 30 successful field goals, was wide left from 53 yards in the closing seconds.

In overtime Dallas forced the Texans into a punt before Dez Bryant hauled in a spectacular 37-yard reception and Bailey redeemed himself with the winning kick from 49 yards.

Dallas running back DeMarco Murray became the first player to rush for 100 yards or more in each of the first five games of an NFL season since OJ Simpson in 1975, while quarterback Tony Romo threw for 324 passing yards and two touchdowns.

Elsewhere in the NFL on Sunday, the New Orleans Saints (2-3) narrowly avoided another loss as they squeezed past NFC South rivals the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-4) 37-31 in overtime at the Louisiana Superdome.

The Bucs turned a 13-point deficit into an 11-point lead over the second and third quarters as Drew Brees, who finished with 371 passing yards but three interceptions, struggled to get the Saints offense going.

New Orleans narrowed the gap when Brees found Travaris Cadet for a touchdown to make it 24-20, before Robert Herron caught a score for the visitors to re-establish the big advantage.

Touchdown

But a 27-yard rushing touchdown by Pierre Thomas, a safety sack of Mike Glennon and a Shayne Graham field goal forced the extra period, where Khiry Robinson powered his way into the end zone from 18 yards out for the decisive score.

The Detroit Lions (3-2) were left to rue a string of missed field goals as the Buffalo Bills (3-2) came back from 14-0 down to clinch a 17-14 victory at Ford Field.

Chris Gragg caught a two-yard touchdown pass from Kyle Orton and Fred Jackson ran in a two-point conversion to tie things up in the fourth quarter.

A 55-yard completion to Golden Tate put Detroit in a position to kick the winning field goal, but Alex Henery was off-target for the third time in the game and, after a quick completion to Sammy Watkins, Dan Carpenter showed off his big leg by booting a 58-yarder for the win.

On a day of comebacks the Cleveland Browns (2-2) pulled off the most spectacular fightback of all, beating the Tennessee Titans (1-4) 29-28 after being 25 points behind in the second quarter.

Ben Tate gained 123 yards on the ground and Brian Hoyer threw for 292 yards and two touchdowns while Travis Benjamin caught two scores in the final seven minutes to complete the turnaround, which was the biggest in Browns history. Titans quarterback Jake Locker left the game injured in the third quarter.

NFL - A Football Life

The St Louis Rams (1-3) were unable to complete a comeback as the Philadelphia Eagles (4-1) continued their strong start to the season with a 34-28 win at Lincoln Financial Field.

Philadelphia were 34-7 ahead late in the third quarter but three quick touchdowns by the Rams brought them back to within one score.

St Louis quarterback Austin Davis, who finished with 375 passing yards and three touchdowns, then tried to lead another scoring drive down the field but was plagued by drops in his receiving corps.

The Indianapolis Colts (3-2) registered their third straight win and ended the Baltimore Ravens’ (3-2) three-game winning run with a 20-13 victory at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Colts quarterback Andrew Luck threw for 312 yards and a touchdown and also managed to hustle his way into the end zone for a rushing score.

The New York Giants (3-2) continued their resurgence with a 30-20 victory over the Atlanta Falcons (2-3) at MetLife Stadium and the Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2) secured a 17-9 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars (0-5) at EverBank Field.