Cowboys vs Dolphins second quarter recap: Cowboys take 6-3 lead just before half

The Miami Dolphins opened the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys with the ball in hand.  Five plays into a drive, the team resumed their methodical movement down the field.  On the eighth play, however, tight end Dion Sims fumbled after making a catch and trying to turn up field.  The ball bounced to Knowshon Moreno, who tried to fall on it, only to have it roll out from under him and to Barry Church, who recovered for the Cowboys.

The Cowboys would be unable to capitalize on the turnover, however, going three-and-out.  The highlight of the possession was a Miami sack, with Cameron Wake pulling down Tony Romo behind the line on third-down, giving Dallas a negative seven yard drive.

Jarvis Landry would fumble on the punt return, but Jonathan Freeny would land on the ball to keep Miami in possession.  It would not be a good possession, however, as the Dolphins would match Dallas' three-and-out, punting the ball away after just three yards gained.

The Cowboys would again go three-and-out on the next drive, ending when Romo threw a short-hop pass to avoid a sack from multiple Dolphins as the pocket collapsed.

The Dolphins nearly went three-and-out on their next drive, but a penalty on the punt gave Miami new life.  They were luck the Cowboys were called for lining up over long snapper John Denney, as the punt was blocked by Bruce Carter, appearing to give Dallas the ball on the Miami three-yard line.

With the new set of down, the Dolphins found their rhythm, both through the air and on the ground.  Moreno resumed picking up large chunks of yardage, spinning and jumping to move the ball forward.  Brian Hartline got back into the game after allowing a ball go straight through his hands a few plays earlier, gaining 16-yards on a reception across the middle.

Miami nearly had a touchdown on the drive, when Tannehill took a deep shot to Mike Wallace down the sideline.  Wallace, however, could not find the ball in the air, and stumbled as he tried to correct once he did find it.  Ultimately, the Dolphins would have to punt.

Dallas was able to put together a drive deep into Miami territory on their final possession of the half, until a couple of illegal shift penalties and Cameron Wake's second sack of the game dropped them back.  The were able to cap the 12 play, 48-yard drive with a Dan Bailey 50-yard field goal.

Dallas leads 6-3 at the half.