The food-stamp economy
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Favre sidelined as Cowboys beat the Packers
DALLAS (Reuters) - The Dallas Cowboys beat the Green Bay Packers 37-27 on Thursday to clinch a playoff berth and take top spot in the National Football Conference.
Quarterback Tony Romo completed 19 of 30 passes for 309 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Cowboys to their 11th victory in 12 games this season -- the first 11-1 record in team history.
Green Bay (10-2) took a 3-0 lead on the game's first possession with a 47-yard field goal by Mason Crosby but Dallas replied through two Nick Folk kicks of 26 and 51 yards for a 6-3 lead.
The Packers were rattled when quarterback Brett Favre had to leave the game with an elbow injury in the second quarter but backup Aaron Rodgers stepped in and kept them in the game.
The seriousness of Favre's injury remained unclear though he sounded hopeful.
"I think I'll be okay," he said after the game.
It was the Cowboys' sixth consecutive victory since they lost to undefeated New England on October 14. The way both teams are playing they could meet up in this season's Super Bowl.
"Our team is playing good football right now," said Romo, who's four touchdown passes gave him 33 for the season -- a franchise record.
Dallas extended their lead to 13-3 after Romo connected with Patrick Crayton but the Packers hit back shortly before the end of the first quarter when running back Ryan Grant burst clear for a 62-yard score.
SUPER BOWL GOAL
Romo put the Cowboys up 27-10 with scoring strikes to Anthony Fasano and Terrell Owens before Rodgers hit Greg Jennings just before the end of the half to narrow the deficit to 27-17.
Owens' touchdown was his 14th of the season, tying a club record that has been held since 1962.
"Our goal ... is to get to the Super Bowl," Owens said after the game.
After halftime Green Bay closed to within three points of the Cowboys on Grant's second rushing touchdown of the game, but Romo settled Dallas nerves in the fourth quarter with another touchdown pass to Crayton.
Crosby and Folk traded field goals to wrap up the scoring at 37-27.
The game was preceded by a moment of silence for Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor, who died on Tuesday after being shot during an apparent burglary at his Miami home.
(Reporting by Ed Stoddard; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
