ARLINGTON, Texas -- Observed and heard in the locker room after the Cowboys' 20-17 overtime win against the Houston Texans.
Fast start continues: Few would have predicted the Dallas Cowboys would start the season with a 4-1 record, but there was no joyous celebration inside the locker room, even after an overtime win. The offense had two red zone turnovers and a dropped pass inside the 5. The defense fell apart late in the fourth quarter.
"I think you just play," quarterback Tony Romo said when asked if he was surprised at the 4-1 mark. "Record is what it is. You try to put yourself in the best position to be where you want to be at the end of the year, and being 4-1 is great. We have a long way to go. We made way too many mistakes in this football game. We were lucky to get out with this win. I'm proud of the effort and the way it went, but we've got to correct some things. Far too many things that don't allow you to win in this league, we did today."
Redemption at work: That Dan Bailey missed a 53-yard field goal attempt on the final play of regulation was stunning. Bailey had made a team-record 30 straight field goals with a 33-yarder in the second quarter and has been among the most clutch kickers in the NFL since 2011.
In overtime, the Cowboys were content to let him attempt a 49-yarder and he had the ninth game-winner of his career, which is also a team record.
"Have you watched our football team for the last few years?" coach Jason Garrett said when asked whether his confidence in Bailey dipped after the regulation miss. "The guy's pretty damn good."
Tough going: DeMarco Murray's streak of games with at least one touchdown run ended at four, but he was able to stretch his streak to five games with at least 100 yards. Murray carried the ball a career-high 31 times for 136 yards.
His long run was 17 yards. It was only the second time this season Murray did not have a 20-yard gain in a game.
"Tough yards are always hard to get," Murray said. "Those are a lot of the runs that won't make the highlight film that put us in position to make plays and get some points."
