ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys set a team record for the most yards in a season by halftime of their regular-season finale Sunday, and quarterback Tony Romo broke three single-season passing records.
An opening drive covering 80 yards and nine plays against the Philadelphia Eagles pushed the Cowboys' season total to 5,996 yards, 28 more than the team record set in 1979. The Cowboys are wrapping up their 50th regular season.
The Cowboys had 291 yards in the first half, when Romo completed 15 of 20 passes for 187 yards and two touchdowns.
Romo's 10-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jason Witten put the Cowboys ahead 7-0 in a game to determine the NFC East champion. It was the third consecutive game in which Dallas scored a touchdown on the opening drive.
On the second possession, Romo surpassed the 4,211 passing yards he had in 2007. He entered the game just 39 yards shy of that mark.
Fittingly, Romo broke his record on a 12-yard pass to Miles Austin, who after the departure of Terrell Owens became the starter this season and earned his first Pro Bowl selection. Austin entered the game with 74 catches for 1,230 yards and 11 TDs.
Later in the first half, Romo had his 336th completion of the season, breaking his record of 335, set in 2007. He also attempted his 534th pass, surpassing the record 533 that Danny White had in 1983.
Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press
