NFL: Dallas 20, N.Y. Giants 8

IRVING, Texas, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- Tashard Choice ran 38 yards up the middle for a touchdown with 2:16 to play Sunday, clinching a 20-8 victory for the Dallas Cowboys over the New York Giants.

With both teams suffering from major distractions, the Cowboys' defense intercepted quarterback Eli Manning twice and sacked him eight times. The Giants failed to score a touchdown for the first time this year.

The Giants (11-3), having already clinched the NFC East title, lost for the second straight week and fell back into a tie with Carolina for the best record in the conference. Dallas (9-5) is tied with Tampa Bay and Atlanta at the top of the wild-card race.

New York played without wide receiver Plaxico Burress, lost for the rest of the season as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound that has him facing weapons charges.

Dallas pass catcher receiver Terrell Owens, meanwhile, complained to the coaching staff during the week that quarterback Tony Romo was showing favoritism toward tight end Jason Witten.

Owens caught three passes Sunday and Witten grabbed five, including one that resulted in a clutch first down on the drive that led to the clinching touchdown.

Romo appeared ready to leave the game in the first half after taking a hard hit, but moments later scrambled and threw a 34-yard touchdown pass to Patrick Crayton -- giving Dallas a 7-3 lead at the break.

Romo drove Dallas 72 yards and hit Deon Anderson with a 1-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter for a 14-3 advantage. A safety and field goal brought the Giants within 14-8, but the Cowboys responded with a 66-yard march that included the key Romo-to-Witten pass.

The Dallas quarterback threw for 244 yards and was not intercepted.