Ravens spoil Cowboys’ farewell

IRVING, TEXAS —  Dallas Cowboys fans and Hall of Fame players came early and stayed late, making sure they savored every bit of the 313th and last game at Texas Stadium.

The Baltimore Ravens will remember it fondly too.

Willis McGahee ran 77 yards for a lead-stretching touchdown when things got tight late in the fourth quarter, then Le’Ron McClain topped that by going 83 yards for the victory-clinching touchdown with 1:18 left, sending the Ravens past the Cowboys, 33-24, Saturday night in a game both teams needed to boost their playoff chances.

Baltimore led ,19-10, midway through the fourth quarter behind four field goals from Matt Stover and a touchdown pass from Joe Flacco to Derrick Mason.

Tony Romo threw touchdown passes to Terrell Owens and Jason Witten over the last 3:36, each putting Dallas within two points. But the Ravens answered both with one-play scoring drives, both coming on runs up the middle against a defense that had done a great job against the run all game.

Baltimore (10-5) bounced back from a last-minute loss to Pittsburgh to win for the fourth time in five games. With only the AFC’s No. 6 seed up for grabs, the Ravens are guaranteed of being in the mix when they play Jacksonville at home next weekend.

Baltimore holds a half-game lead over three AFC East teams that are 9-5, one of which will get in by winning the division.

Dallas (9-6) lost for the second time in three weeks. Although it can still get an NFC wild-card berth, this loss makes it tougher. Dallas will go to Philadelphia next Sunday needing a win and, perhaps, some help. Dallas’ loss clinched a playoff spot for Carolina.