Witten caught a 16-yard, go-ahead touchdown pass with 18 seconds left, lifting the Dallas Cowboys to a 28-27 win over the Detroit Lions today. Dallas (12-1) clinched the NFC East and moved a step closer to earning home-field advantage in the conference playoffs.

The tight end had career highs with 15 receptions and 143 yards, and was able to enjoy his accomplishments because he redeemed himself after fumbling inside the 1 midway through the fourth quarter.

Detroit (6-7) has lost five straight and won't be able to live up to quarterback Jon Kitna's expectations of a 10-win season.

Romo was 35-of-44 for 302 yards and two TDs, helping the Cowboys win 12 of their first 13 games for the first time in franchise history.

The Lions had chances to win a game only they thought they could. It was a situation similar to the final week last season when they went to Dallas with only pride at stake and beat a Cowboys team jockeying for playoff position.

Kevin Jones ran for 92 yards and two scores, T.J. Duckett had a 32-yard TD run and Detroit led 27-14 after three quarters.

After Marion Barber scored for the second time early in the fourth, the Lions had an opportunity to go ahead by more than a TD, but Jason Hanson's 35-yard field goal attempt sailed over and just to the right of an upright.

The blown chance came back to haunt Detroit.

After Witten fumbled and the Lions punted, Dallas got the ball back at its 17 with 2:15 and no timeouts left.

The Cowboys caught a break when former Lion Kyle Kosier recovered Romo's fumble at midfield after it went through the hands of linebacker Paris Lenon. Romo converted a fourth down on the next play with a pass to Barber, and connected on his next two passes for first downs.

On a second-and-6 from the 16, Romo threw a perfect pass to Witten as he found an opening in the middle of the field on a post pattern.

Detroit successfully took Terrell Owens out of the game, limiting him to three catches for 21 yards, but the scheme created chances for Witten and Barber in the passing game.

Barber had 10 receptions for 61 yards, taking advantage of being wide open early and often.

Kitna said he would be disappointed before the season if Detroit didn't win 10 games, and his disappointment was sealed today.

It likely delayed the inevitable, though, because Detroit would've had trouble reaching the goal with a closing stretch that includes road games against San Diego and Green Bay along with a home game versus Kansas City.

Kitna was 22-of-36 for 248 yards without a score or an interception. Making up for the loss of Roy Williams, Shaun McDonald had eight receptions for 96 yards and converted a pair of third downs as the Lions unsuccessfully tried to run out the clock before Dallas' game-winning drive.

Detroit outgained Dallas 390-368, had 152 yards rushing against one of the NFL's best teams against the run and allowed only on sack after giving up the most in the league.