Cowboys bench Matt Cassel, Kellen Moore immediately throws interception

Ron Clements

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Cowboys bench Matt Cassel, Kellen Moore immediately throws interception image

After watching him throw and interception and take an awful 19-yard sack, the Cowboys benched Matt Cassel. But Kellen Moore wasn't any better.

Moore's second pass Saturday night against the Jets was intercepted by safety Marcus Gilchrist and returned to the Cowboys' 24-yard line.

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The Jets converted the turnover into a 36-yard Randy Bullock field goal to take a 9-3 lead with 7:06 remaining in the first half. Moore went undrafted in 2012 despite a record-setting career at Boise State. Despite spending three seasons with the Lions and joining the Cowboys in September, Moore's NFL debut did not happen until Saturday. 

A horsecollar penalty on Jets linebacker Calvin Pace helped the Cowboys get into Jets territory on Moore's third series. Moore followed with a short pass to wide receiver Brice Butler, who broke a tackle and scampered up the sideline for a 16-yard gain to the Jets' 10. Moore hit Bryant for a 10-yard score on the next play for his first NFL touchdown pass and the Cowboys took a 10-9 lead just before halftime.

Cassel went 3 for 8 for 37 yards and a first-quarter interception, but his biggest mistake Saturday was foolishly running backward while trying to avoid Pace. 

Ron Clements