By Jaime Aron
Associated Press
IRVING, Texas ó Terrell Owens caught the long pass in stride, cruised into the end zone and began showing off.
With a shimmy in the direction of the Philadelphia Eagles, then some arm-flapping like he used to do when he scored for them, the final Monday night game at Texas Stadium was off to a wild start.
And it kept going from there.
After seven lead changes, the game fittingly came to a close with a pass that included two laterals. Dallas stopped it, then walked away with a memorable 41-37 victory.
iWe kept believing in each other,î Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said. iEveryone said ëHey, hang in there, weíre going to come out on top,í and we did!î
The wackiness included Tony Romo following one flub with another, leading to Philadelphia touchdowns 14 seconds apart; Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson losing an apparent touchdown because he flicked the ball away in celebration before he actually scored; and, ultimately, there was Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook wasting great performances by fumbling a fourth-quarter handoff exchange.
The game was decided cleanly after that turnover ó a crisp drive capped by Marion Barberís 1-yard touchdown run, lifting the Cowboys to a victory that certainly will be remembered by anyone who saw it.
For anyone who didnít, think back to Romoís big comeback in Buffalo on a Monday night last year, or to Romoís playoff goof in Seattle two years ago, or McNabbís great escape on a scramble three years ago or even Leon Lettís premature touchdown celebration in the January 1993 Super Bowl. This game had plays reminiscent of all those, most in the first half.
Philadelphia led 30-24 at halftime, then Dallas moved in front on a 17-yard touchdown catch by Barber midway through the third quarter. The Eagles came right back, with McNabb overcoming a second-and-21 by scooting out of two near collisions, avoiding an ankle tackle and zipping the football like a fast-pitch softball to Westbrook. The drive ended with Westbrook churning into the end zone for his third touchdown and a 37-31 lead.
Dallas got close with a
47-yard field goal from Nick Folk. Philadelphia was driving for a lead-padding score when McNabb put the ball on Westbrookís hip instead of in his belly. The Cowboys recovered at the 33 and Romo moved them to the go-ahead score, the big play being a 32-yard pass to Jason Witten.