IRVING, Texas — Brad Johnson didn’t mind the boos. He gladly traded them for a win.
In his second start subbing for the injured Tony Romo, Johnson repeatedly threw passes that probably wouldn’t get first downs but also likely wouldn’t be intercepted. His safety-first approach annoyed the home fans — until the Dallas Cowboys walked away 13-9 winners over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
Johnson passed for a measly 122 yards and the Cowboys gained only 172, their fewest ever in a victory. His aim was off on several potential scores, but he came through on a 2-yard touchdown pass to newcomer Roy Williams just before halftime that proved to be the game-winner.
It capped a drive sustained by four Tampa Bay penalties.
“We knew going in it was going to be an ugly game at times,” Johnson said.
Tampa Bay got only three field goals, two coming in the first quarter after drives that reached the Dallas 18 and 14.
In the game’s final minute, the Bucs were driving for a potential go-ahead score when they faced fourth-and-5 from the 18 with 19 seconds left. Under heavy pressure, Jeff Garcia threw an incompletion.
“It was lost in the first half,” Garcia said. “We had them on their heels.”
