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Cowboys 27, Bears 3

By DENNE H. FREEMAN / AP Sports Writer

IRVING, Texas (AP) -- The Dallas Cowboys reversed their September fortunes of a year ago.

Troy Aikman burned the Chicago blitz with two touchdown passes, the defense hounded Rick Mirer into critical mistakes and Deion Sanders pranced 83 yards for a touchdown on a punt return in a 27-3 victory over the winless Bears on Sunday.

Dallas finished September 3-1 and accomplished a goal set by coach Barry Switzer in training camp. The Cowboys made the playoffs after starting 1-3 last year, but couldn't overcome a homefield disadvantage at Carolina.

It wasn't easy for Dallas despite having two weeks to get ready for 14-point underdog Chicago, which is 0-5 and off to its worst start since 1969. The Bears came into the game yielding an NFL-worst 32 points per game.

Dallas held a shaky 7-3 halftime lead thanks to a big defensive play before Aikman finally got the offense cranking.

After a 48-yard drive set up Richie Cunningham's 33-yard field goal, Aikman whipped Dallas on a 60-yard drive. Aikman hit Michael Irvin with passes of 11 and 26 yards before Irvin beat an all-out Chicago blitz and his man, Walt Harris, on a quick slant pattern for the 26-yard score.

Then came the fun part for the uneasy Dallas fans, who spent half the day booing the team.

Sanders fielded a punt and slashed straight up the middle of the field, slowing down on the 20-yard line so he could hold the ball aloft and strut all the way into the end zone for his first punt return touchdown for the Cowboys. It was the longest in his NFL career and his first since 1990 when he returned a punt 79 yards for an Atlanta touchdown.

Cunningham kicked a meaningless 23-yard field goal after Darren Woodson intercepted a pass from Erik Kramer.

It took a big defensive play by Kevin Smith for the Cowboys to score their only points of the first half. Smith jumped a slant route by Chris Penn and picked off Mirer's pass, returning it 21 yards to the Bears 6.

Two plays later, Aikman hit Anthony Miller on a pass in the flat, and Miller juked Tom Carter and scored the touchdown for a 7-3 Dallas lead.

Dallas made a special teams mistake to help give Chicago a 3-0 lead in the first period.

Brock Marion roughed punter Todd Sauerbrun, and the Bears were set up at the Dallas 28. Chicago bogged down after Mirer's 12-yard pass to Eric Smith, and Jeff Jaeger kicked a 21-yard field goal.

Dallas was held to zero rushing yards in the first half.

Emmitt Smith failed to score for his fourth consecutive game, a record for futility in his career as a Cowboy. He gained 43 yards on 13 carries.

The win reversed a 22-6 loss to Chicago on Monday Night Football to open the 1996 season.