Peter Diana, Post-Gazette Linebacker James Farrior gave Cowboys quarterback Vinny Testaverde an early Halloween ghouling yesterday -- knocking the ball loose on a fourth quarter sack for the key turnover of the game, then batting down a Hail Mary pass with time expired to seal the Steelers' victory. Click photo for larger image. More football Bettis runs final 2 yards for decisive TD Steelers Notebook: Tight ends celebrate six receptions in one game Science: The physics of the matter say the Immaculate Reception ball hit Tatum More pictures Game Six: Oct. 17 Steelers at Dallas Cowboys More NFL AFC North: Browns remain perfect at home with 34-17 win over inept Bengals AFC: Steelers next opponent / Patriots' winning streak to 20 NFL Notebook: Browns tie record with 99-yard pass

IRVING, Texas -- The Steelers' defense -- beat up, banged up and roughed up -- spooked Vinny Testaverde into the game's only turnover yesterday, and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger made the Dallas Cowboys pay for it.

Testaverde lost the football as he cocked his arm to pass with linebacker James Farrior steaming into his face, and defensive end Kimo von Oelhoffen recovered the ball. With 2:28 left and trailing by three, Roethlisberger guided the Steelers to a touchdown by Jerome Bettis that beat Dallas, 24-20.

The victory ran the surprising Steelers' record to 5-1 and added to the legend of their rookie quarterback. Roethlisberger, who keeps getting better, shook off a minor injury to his right knee to run his record to 4-0 by completing his final 11 passes. He ended up completing 21 of 25 with two touchdowns, no interceptions and a 125.5 passer rating.

"I can't say enough about him," coach Bill Cowher said.

Trailing, 20-10, in the fourth quarter, Roethlisberger threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jerame Tuman with 11:48 to go. Then, after von Oelhoffen returned Testaverde's fumble 21 yards to the Dallas 24, Roethlisberger completed passes of 11 and 6 yards, Duce Staley ran for another 6 on two carries, and Bettis ran around left end for 2 yards for the winning score.

"To come down the road to beat Dallas in Dallas, the way we came back and won, it's a big win," said wide receiver Hines Ward, who caught nine passes. "Who knows how far this win can carry us over the year? We're 5-1 and going into the bye week. That's a great place to be."

The worst part, though, came from the medical report. It appears that Pro Bowl nose tackle Casey Hampton and cornerback Chad Scott will be lost for the season with right knee injuries.

"We don't plan on wallowing in our own pity about the guys that are injured," Cowher said. "But they definitely will be missed."

Bettis' touchdown came with 30 seconds to go but the game was far from over. The Cowboys reached the Steelers' 30 before safety Russell Stuvaints knocked down Testaverde's desperation pass to wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson in the end zone.

"This is a very confident football team," an emotional Cowher said moments after the final play. "Maybe we're more confident than we are good."

Staley led the Steelers with 93 yards rushing, and Roethlisberger threw for 193 yards, but Testaverde's 23 of 36 passing for 284 yards -- especially his key third-down conversions -- had put the Cowboys 10 points ahead and seemingly in control by the end of three quarters.

The Cowboys opened the game by going 75 yards in 11 plays. Anderson took a draw up the middle untouched against the Steelers' dime defense for a 21-yard touchdown.

Roethlisberger directed the Steelers right back into a tie. Wide receiver Plaxico Burress made a one-handed catch on a third-down pass for a 32-yard gain to the Cowboys' 23. From there, Ward caught a 15-yard pass and Roethlisberger threw what is becoming a familiar path to a touchdown.

Cowboys defensive end Marcellus Wiley chased Roethlisberger out of the pocket. Roethlisberger rolled right, and it looked as if he would run. Instead, he threw a 5-yard rope on the run to Burress, who made a diving catch in the front corner of the end zone to tie the score, 7-7.

"I just wanted to get the ball in the end zone," Roethlisberger said, "and I was lucky to be able to do that a couple of times."

Burress has learned quickly to keep working as Roethlisberger scrambles.

"It's something new to have a scrambling quarterback back there," Burress said. "He's making safe decisions and gives us an opportunity to go get the ball and make plays. It's like we are freelancing it sometimes."

The Steelers went in front, 10-7, on Jeff Reed's 51-yard field goal on a drive Staley jump-started with a 24-yard run.

Dallas tied the score, 10-10, when Billy Cundiff kicked a 47-yard field goal 15 seconds before halftime. The Cowboys were backed up to their 9, where they had third-and-17, but Anderson again caught them on a draw, picking up 17 yards for a first down. A 22-yard pass to Antonio Bryant put them in position to tie it.

"We are a fast-flowing defense, but I have to give them credit," Cowher said. "They have a veteran offense, and they definitely explored our defense today."

It was another conversion on third-and-17 that led to another Cundiff field goal, this time from 39 yards, and a 13-10 Dallas lead in the third quarter.

Dallas moved 68 yards on three plays for a touchdown to go in front 20-10 in the third quarter. The Cowboys needed just two plays, both against cornerback Deshea Townsend. Glenn beat Townsend deep for a 48-yard catch, and Johnson beat him in the back of the end zone for a 22-yard touchdown.

"There was no panic," Ward said. "Alan Faneca and I gathered up the guys. There was plenty of time for us to come back. We score a touchdown, we're only down by 3, and anything can happen."

Indeed, the Steelers closed within 20-17 on a 74-yard drive capped when Roethlisberger dropped straight back on third down and threw hard over the middle to Tuman, who made a nice catch for his touchdown.

"With Ben," Tuman said, "you have to stay alive on every pass play."

At 5-1, the Steelers are living the good life entering their week off.