Unhappy, without question

IRVING, Texas - Terrell Owens arrived for his news conference looking like a losing boxer who had absorbed too many punches, wearing a pair of large sunglasses even though it was well after sunset and he was facing the press in the basement of Texas Stadium. Still, he held his head high and entertained questions after the Cowboys were knocked out by the Patriots yesterday, 48-27.

He may have taken questions but he didn't like them all, and he sounded very much like his high-profile agent, Drew Rosenhaus, when the first query was asked about his rival, Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss, or as Owens calls him, "the other 81."

"Next question," he said when Moss's name was mentioned, echoing Rosenhaus when the agent was answering questions about Owens's suspension from the Philadelphia Eagles two seasons ago.

Still, reporters persisted. "Who do you think played better, you or Moss?"

"Next question," said Owens.

Still, reporters persisted. "You gave this game extra hype by not talking this week and taping that sign to your locker, do you think the game lived up to the hype?" Owens posted a sign in the Cowboys locker room Wednesday explaining he wasn't going to talk about the Patriots matchup and the "other 81" until after the game.

This was obviously after the game, but he still wasn't talking about Moss.

"I posted that sign to prevent you from asking questions about the other 81," said Owens. "It's a team game, it's not me against him.

"Next question."

The Patriots were clearly the better team yesterday but Owens and Moss played to a standstill as Owens caught six passes for 66 yards and one touchdown while Moss had six catches for 59 yards and a touchdown.

The statistics weren't the only similarity, because in another area of Texas Stadium following the game, Moss said, "You all know what TO is. I just want to come there and help my team win the game. I wasn't big into the hype of the two 81s."

Despite the hype, it wasn't the two 81s who decided the game but both were deeply involved. Owens wasn't entirely pleased with his individual effort because of the final score.

"We did OK," he said. "We had some opportunities but didn't take advantage of them. We stalled on some drives."

A key play in the game came on the last play of the third quarter when Owens caught a pass over the middle from Tony Romo but was stopped a yard short of a first down. Cowboys coach Wade Phillips disputed the spot, believing Owens had caught the ball past the first-down marker. "I'm not sure," said Owens.

Even though it was fourth and 1 at the Cowboys 47, Phillips decided to go for the first down trailing, 31-24. Marion Barber picked up the first down on an off-tackle run, but guard Kyle Kosier was called for holding. The Cowboys were forced to punt and four plays later Tom Brady hit Donte' Stallworth with a 69-yard touchdown pass.

"That was the game there," said Romo. "If we get the first down and go down and score, who knows what would have happened?"

What happened instead is the Patriots took charge of the game and went on to win this meeting of 5-0 teams. Despite the first loss, Owens still likes his team.

"They're a good team," he said about the Patriots, "but I wouldn't say they're the best. There's no lack of confidence in this locker room. I definitely think we'll see them down the road."

Romo also readily talked about a rematch.

"For the first couple of possessions, they covered everything," he said. "We prepared well, but it's a lot tougher seeing them once. If we see them again, I'll feel a little more comfortable."

The only chance of that happening would in the Super Bowl in Arizona in February.

Think there will be any hype about the two 81s during a Super Bowl week? The answer is obvious, no need for a next question.

Joe Sullivan can be reached at jt_sullivan@globe.com.