Four days after limiting the Pittsburgh Steelers offense to 16 points, the Jets defense was again forced to counter a menacing offense. Led by quarterback Tony Romo and wideout Terrell Owens — a duo that had hooked up for 12 touchdowns in 10 games — the Cowboys were averaging more than 32 points per game.

And there wasn’t a lot the Jets defense could be thankful for after Green & White's 34-3 defeat at Texas Stadium today on Thanksgiving. Yet despite the outcome, one Jets defensive back proved himself on the national stage.

Darrelle Revis, the rookie cornerback from the University of Pittsburgh, was assigned to mark Owens, and the Jets’ first-rounder made the Pro Bowler work hard for his catches. With the exception of a fourth-quarter touchdown, Revis kept Owens at bay with six receptions for 65 yards — 22 of them coming on the TD pass from Romo.

“I just stuck to the game plan and guarded him everywhere he went — whether it was the slot or at wideout, he was everywhere,” said Revis, who finished with five tackles. “My job was just to stay with him all game wherever he went. It was fun, it was great competition. He’s one of the best.

“Except for that last play where he caught that touchdown, overall the coaches said I did well and played him good."

Revis and the secondary weren’t able to focus on doubling Owens even with the Cowboys’ second receiver, Patrick Crayton, inactive with an ankle injury. Dallas has one of the most talented two-headed backfields in football with Julius Jones and Marion Barber and the Cowboys totaled 174 yards on the ground Thursday.

“We knew coming in that they were a big running team,” said Revis. “They have two great running backs and in the passing game they have Terrell. It’s tough to go against both of them like that, but they just played well today.”

Heading into the locker room at halftime, Revis and company limited T.O. to two catches and 19 yards, both receptions coming on the opening drive. Revis was also inches away from picking off an errant Romo-to-Owens slant pass, with the ball bouncing off of the young corner’s shoulder.

Owens, who averaged 17.7 yards per catch before today, was unable to shake Revis.

“I actually thought there were some decent things defensively, but you have to be able to stop them on a consistent basis,” said head coach Eric Mangini. “I thought Darrelle competed pretty well today. He was with Terrell for most of the day and I think he did a good job for what we were asking him to do.”