FOXBORO, Massachusetts (Ticker) -- Ty Law had a lot more success solving Quincy Carter than Carter did figuring out Bill Belichick's defense.
Law had two of three interceptions of Carter as the New England Patriots blanked the Dallas Cowboys, 12-0, for their sixth straight victory.
The game marked a matchup of Patriots coach Belichick and Cowboys coach Bill Parcells. Belichick served as defensive coordinator under Parcells for New England, the New York Giants and New York Jets.
Though the two were said to be estranged in recent years, the duo hugged at the end of the contest.
Antowain Smith scored on a two-yard run in the second quarter for the game's only touchdown and Adam Vinatieri kicked a pair of field goals for New England (8-2), which has a two-game lead over Miami atop the AFC East.
Carter completed 20-of-36 passes for 210 yards and had three second-half interceptions for Dallas (7-3), which fell into a tie with Philadelphia atop the NFC East.
The Cowboys were shut out for the second straight time on the road. They lost at Tampa Bay on October 26, 16-0.
It marked the Patriots' first shutout since a 31-0 triumph over Arizona on September 15, 1996 - when Belichick was Parcells' defensive coordinator.
New England got on the board on a 23-yard field goal by Vinatieri with 3:05 left in the first quarter, which came four plays after a 46-yard completion from Tom Brady to Deion Branch across the middle. Brady finished 15-of-34 for 212 yards.
With just under three minutes remaining in the half, Brady connected on a 57-yard pass to David Givens. Cowboys lineback Al Singleton was whislted for roughing Brady on the play, and Smith scored on a two-yard run one play later to make it 9-0 with 2:34 left. Vinatieri's extra-point attempt was low and blocked by Flozell Adams.
With 2:26 left in the third quarter, Carter was pressured and threw a pass behind Jason Whitten. The tight end bobbled the ball and Law snatched it at the New England 17.
With Dallas facing 4th-and-inches at midfield with just under 9 1/2 minutes to play, New England linebacker Teddy Bruschi stopped Troy Hambrick for a two-yard loss, and two minutes later Patriots cornerback Tyrone Poole intercepted Carter at the Dallas 44.
Vinatieri successfully kicked a 39-yard field goal with 3:47 left, but rookie Cowboys cornerback Terence Newman was offsides, and the Patriots brought the clock down to 1:56 remaining before Vinatieri made it 12-0 with a 26-yard kick. On the final play of the game, Law intercepted Carter in the end zone.
