Summary of the San Diego game

Dallas 23, San Diego 9

Gale Gilbert, filling in for an injured Stan Humphries, turned the ball each of the first 4 drives, leading to 2 Emmitt Smith touchdown runs. "I thought Gilbert played well, but you always catch a break when you play against a backup quarterback," Dallas coach Barry Switzer said.

But the fact of the matter was that Gilbert simply looked lost, trying to lead a team he hadn't started for all season. And the mistimings were visible.

The first interception was a route miscommunication between himself and Shawn Jefferson. "The other two were just stupid throws," Gilbert said. "I think we moved the ball well. I took us out of two scoring opportunities that killed us."

On the other side of the ball, Emmitt Smith, the NFL's leading rusher, missed gaining 100 yards for the second time this season. He finished with a season-low 68 yards on 22 carries, but set the club record for career touchdowns, surpassing Tony Dorsett. The new record currently stands at 88 - and counting.

It started out shaky. After Larry Brown's interception, the Cowboys' first play from scrimmage had Reuben Davis sacking Aikman in the end zone for a safety. From then on, QB Troy Aikman was exceptional, completing his first 11 passes in a row. He ended the day completing 21 of 30 passes for 222 yards and no interceptions. Michael Irvin had seven receptions for 103 yards, setting another team-record with a fifth straight 100-yard game.

Larry Brown, Brock Marion and Clayton Holmes had interceptions, and DE Shante Carver had a fumble recovery and two sacks for Dallas.

"He [Gilbert] did throw a couple ducks up for grabs," said Brock Marion, "but anytime he puts the ball in the air and we can capitalize off of it, it's a big play for us."

Capitalizing on two of Gilbert's turnovers, Dallas led 14-2 at halftime. Smith had both touchdowns, scoring on runs of 4 and 1 yards, giving him 11 for the season.

"It didn't so much help us as far as offensively turning them into points, it just kept them from getting points," Aikman said. "It was much like a punt, for us.

Dallas (6-1) sits atop the NFC East with a 2-game lead heading into the bye week. Their next game will be in Atlanta, where they will debut the additions of Deion Sanders and Darrin Smith to the team.