IRVING, Texas — 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 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.
The wackiness included Tony Romo (21-of-30, 312 yards passing) following one flub with another, leading to Philadelphia touchdowns 14 seconds apart; Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson losing an apparent TD 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.
Philadelphia was driving for a lead-padding score when McNabb put the ball on Westbrook’s hip instead of in his belly. The Cowboys recovered at their 33, and Romo moved them to the go-ahead score, the big play being a 32-yard pass to tight end Jason Witten, who played with a separated shoulder. Marion Barber’s 1-yard touchdown run capped off the drive.
The Eagles hardly threatened on their final two tries. Their final two-lateral play was shoved out of bounds.
Owens had 89 yards on three catches, two going for touchdowns. His first TD moved him past Cris Carter and into second place on the NFL’s career receiving TD list; he finished at 132, well behind Jerry Rice’s record of 197.
“The Lord has obviously blessed me with a lot of talent,” Owens said.
