Cowboys stagger Eagles

PHILADELPHIA It was a symbol of the Dallas Cowboys' quick sprintfrom oblivion back to the top of the NFL - an 85-yard punt return byKelvin Martin that put what was once America's Team back into theplayoffs for the first time in six years.

Martin, who suffered through Dallas' 1-15 season in 1989, cappedthe Cowboys' remarkable rebirth with a burst up the middle with 45seconds gone in the fourth quarter that ignited a 17-point fourthperiod, giving Dallas a 25-13 victory.

The decision ended the Eagles' six-game winning streak and tooktheir playoff fate out of their hands.

The victory improved Dallas' record to 10-5 and guaranteed theCowboys a wild-card spot in the muddled NFC playoff race. The Eaglesare 9-6, and they must beat Washington here next week and hope thatSan Francisco loses its final game (next Monday against the Bears)and New Orleans its last two.

"When we were 1-15, we didn't lose by much. We just lost games.We needed a winning attitude, and now we've got it," said widereceiver Michael Irvin, who scored an insurance TD for the Cowboys.

Dallas' fourth consecutive victory mirrored its miraculousseason.

"I told them at halftime we were only one play away from takingthe lead," said coach Jimmy Johnson, again a prophet.

If Martin was the hero, the defense also helped. Jimmy Joneshad 2 1/2 sacks and Ken Norton two.

"We were able to play the running game well and put them inpassing situations," said Johnson, who for the fourth week in a rowwas able to call it "our biggest win in the three years I've beenhere."

Ironically, the Eagles - who had 11 sacks in the teams' firstmeeting when they won 24-0 - had just one for the day.

That protected Dallas QB Steve Beuerlein and let him find Irvin,who caught a four-yard TD pass for the clinching touchdown with 6:02left after being totally shut down during the first half.

Ken Willis made Cowboys field goals of 50, 32 and 37 yards, thelast one with 2:40 to play.

Beuerlein, just 2-of-17 for 17 yards before halftime, finished9-of-31 for 145 yards and had completions of 32 yards to Jay Novacekand 36 yards to Irvin to set up his TD pass to Irvin. Irvin had fivecatches for 92 yards in the second half.

The Philadelphia defense held the Cowboys without a first downfor eight consecutive series after Dallas' first possession.

But the punt return was the key to a momentum change.

"Once I hit the hole, it was just a matter of beating thepunter," Martin said. NOTABLE: It was the Cowboys' first victory over the Eagles in 10non-strike games and their first victory in Philadelphia since 1986;Keith Byars' five catches for Philadelphia increased to 71 the numberof consecutive games in which he has caught at least one pass. QUOTABLE: Eagles QB Jeff Kemp: "We battled well but not too wiselytoday; we need help now, but we won't give up."