NEW YORK: The Dallas Cowboys moved closer to ensuring home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs with a 20-13 road victory over the Carolina Panthers on Saturday but lost wide receiver Terrell Owens with an ankle sprain.

Owens caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from Tony Romo in the first quarter but was injured in the second and did not return. The Cowboys took a 14-0 lead the play after Owens left the game but were held without another touchdown the rest of the way.

X-rays on Owens were negative but he was scheduled for an MRI on Sunday. He was reported to have sustained a high ankle sprain.