Romo completed 24 of 36 passes and had one interception, which led to Steve Smith’s 24-yard touchdown run that made it 14-0 in the second quarter.

But the Panthers (4-4) were plagued by mistakes as they lost their second straight, blowing double-digit leads in both. Instead of Romo struggling in his first NFL start, it was Delhomme, making his 62nd straight start, who had problems. He was 17-of-31 for 149 yards and an interception.

Smith, Michael Gaines, DeShaun Foster and Keyshawn Johnson all dropped passes. Johnson’s might have been a touchdown in the third quarter, spoiling his first game against Dallas since he was released in a salary cap move so the Cowboys could sign Owens.

“It’s a team game. We all didn’t get it done. We need to get better,” Delhomme said.

Smith was angered when asked about his two drops, and his fumble of a punt return as the Panthers’ once promising season has taken a turn for the worse.

“Just keep keeping your stats,” Smith said. The Panthers were even plagued by a coaching miscue. Fox called a timeout late in the first half that wiped out Richard Marshall’s blocked field goal. Given a second chance, Vanderjagt kicked a 38-yarder to make it 14-10 at halftime.

“Hopefully with the bye coming that will give us a chance to get healthy and maybe find some guys who can finish games,” Fox said.

Foster rushed for 50 yards and a touchdown for Carolina, which lost starting cornerback Ken Lucas to a groin injury in the first quarter, forcing rookie Richard Marshall to alternate coverage on Owens and Terry Glenn.

In a season filled with controversy, Parcells left the field with a grin.

“We haven’t been having a lot of fun around here. They’re having fun right now,” Parcells said. “That’s the thing that I enjoy the most. When I see the faces of those players.”

Notes: Cowboys rookie Patrick Watkins, who had started the first six games at free safety, was inactive. Watkins, who had been beaten for big plays of late, was replaced by Keith Davis in the starting lineup. ... Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams (ankle) missed his third straight game. ... Panthers kicker John Kasay was well short on a 65-yard field goal attempt on the final play of the first half.

NFL game stories Quick look at Week 4 games STEELERS 23, RAVENS 20, OT: Baltimore loses first game of season REDSKINS 26, COWBOYS 24: Dallas can't contain Portis in 1st loss BEARS 24, EAGLES 20: Goal-line stand boosts Chicago JETS 56, CARDINALS 35: Favre throws career-high 6 TDs BUCS 30, PACKERS 21: Ryan's 3 FGs lift Tampa CHARGERS 28, RAIDERS 18: San Diego tops rival 10th straight time BILLS 31, RAMS 14: Buffalo 4-0 for first time since 1992 CHIEFS 33, BRONCOS 19: Johnson rushes for 198 yards for K.C. BROWNS 20, BENGALS 12: Anderson throws TD TITANS 30, VIKINGS 17: Tennessee 4-0 for first time ever PANTHERS 24, FALCONS 9: Smith honors Lucas after TD JAGUARS 30, TEXANS 27, OT: Scobey kicks game winner SAINTS 31, 49ERS 17: McAlister scores first TD of year

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