Game notes

2:34 left in the half. However, Dallas’ Flozell Adams blocked Adam Vinatieri’s extra point attempt to hold the New England lead at 9-0. That was Adams’ second PAT block of the season, third of his career.

The Cowboys looked like they might finally cut into the Patriot advantage, driving to the New England 19 with just over 2:30 left in the third quarter.

However, Carter (20-of-36-210-3 INT), under a heavy rush from Patriots Willie McGinest and Bobby Hamilton, tried a dump off pass to tight end Jason Whitten, who bobbled the ball into the eager hands of Patriot cornerback Ty Law at the Patriot 19.

Through three quarters, New England was outgained by the Cowboys, 291-268, but it didn’t translate the same way on the scoreboard. The Patriots appeared to put their stamp on this as they stopped the Cowboys on fourth-and-1 at midfield, as linebacker Tedy Bruschi broke through and nailed Dallas running back Troy Hambrick with just about 9:30 left in the game. New England’s nine-point lead looked like 29 at that point.

A Tyrone Poole interception of a Carter pass at midfield with just over seven minutes left led to a 26-yard field goal with just under two minutes to play. Law got his second interception on the game’s final play, capping off the win.

Brady’s two long completions before the half gave him six completions of more than 45 yards this season. He had just two prior to this year, one each in 2001 and 2002 . . . Coming into the game, the Patriots were 14-2 (.875) in games where Smith has a touchdown run . . . Adams’ block snapped a streak of 86 straight successful extra points for Vinatieri. The last time he missed a PAT kick was on Oct. 14, 2001 . . . Heading into last night, the Patriots had won 15 straight games when leading at halftime . . . Terry Glenn’s comments about New England certainly didn’t sit well with the fans, who booed him when he finally made his first catch midway through the third quarter . . . Washington left the game and headed for the locker room under his own power during the second quarter, but he returned for the second half . . . . New England’s next two games are on the road, at Houston next Sunday and then Indianapolis on Thanksgiving weekend.

Their next home game is an AFC East showdown with Miami on Dec. 7. Word is the Patriots intend to wear their new silver jerseys in that one, too.