NEW ORLEANS – Tony Romo passed for 312 yards and DeMarcus Ware played through the pain of a neck injury as Dallas beat New Orleans 24-17, handing the previously unbeaten Saints their first loss.

The Cowboys held off a frenzied fourth-quarter charge by New Orleans to give their playoff hopes a major boost.

The loss by the Saints (13-1) left the Indianapolis Colts (14-0) as the National Football League's only unbeaten team this season.

"It came down to the mistakes. We eliminated them and the turnovers," Ware said.

Dallas (9-5) came out quickly Saturday dominating the first quarter and jumped out to a 17-3 lead at halftime.

New Orleans rallied in the fourth after trailing 24-3 at the end of the third quarter. They scored two quick touchdowns in the fourth to get back in it.

Dallas kicker Nick Folk missed a 24-yard field goal wide right with just over two minutes left in the game.

Quarterback Drew Brees then moved the Saints into the Cowboys zone late in the game in an attempt to tie it. But on second down, Ware sacked Brees and the ball was recovered by Dallas with six seconds on the clock.

Ware almost missed Saturday's game after injuring his neck last week. Doctors gave him the green light to play and he was a key part of the Cowboys' defence which stymied the Saints' attack.

Marion Barbour ran for two touchdowns for the Cowboys, who ended a two-game losing skid.

The win spoiled a record-setting night for Brees who hit Lance Moore for a seven-yard touchdown pass late in the game giving Brees a franchise-leading 121 touchdown passes since he joined the Saints three years ago.