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NEW ORLEANS - For the Saints, Donte' Stallworth's big day was too little too late. For the Cowboys it was a negative end to a positive turnaround.
Stallworth's 76-yard touchdown reception Sunday in a 13-7 victory sent Dallas into the playoffs on a down note and New Orleans home happier.
"I'm just disappointed," Dallas coach Bill Parcells said. "When you don't get your best and you don't do your best, it's disappointing."
The Saints, who will miss the playoffs for the third straight season, responded to a tongue-lashing from owner Tom Benson and a team meeting Friday night.
Dallas already had clinched a playoff spot but dropped to the sixth seed in the NFC.
After three consecutive 5-11 seasons, the Cowboys have had a remarkable turnaround in Parcells' first season as coach. Dallas clinched its first playoff spot since 1999 last week.
Benson told the coaching staff Tuesday during an emotional meeting that he was extremely disappointed with the season. He said the team and coaches underachieved, and he wanted them to finish on a strong note.
After the victory, Benson hugged coach Jim Haslett on the sideline.
"It could have been better, but we ended on a high note," Benson said. "Now we have to get ready for next year."
Dallas stopped the run and limited running back Deuce McAllister to 49 yards. The Cowboy defense, which led the league at 251 yards allowed per game, gave up 291.
Aaron Brooks completed 15-of-32 for 243 yards and a touchdown. Jay Bellamy's second pick of the day stopped Dallas at the New Orleans 27 with 1:33 left.
Richie Anderson's 3-yard catch on the second quarter put the Cowboys ahead 7-3. The lead lasted 27 seconds.
That was how long it took Brooks to hit Stallworth with a 76-yard touchdown. Stallworth, who missed five games and most of a sixth with injuries, caught the ball in traffic and outran everyone, giving New Orleans a 10-7 lead at halftime.