Postgame analysis: Cowboys 38, Eagles 33

While the second half of games have been somewhat unpredictable, the Cowboys have the first half down pat. Once again, they fell behind by two scores and were trailing by a touchdown at the half. Yet, QB Tony Romo rallied his team back again, leading the Cowboys to a much-needed 38-33 win over the Eagles on Sunday night at Cowboys Stadium.

It moved the Cowboys to 6-6 and still in the NFC playoff picture, although on the outside looking in. The Eagles continued their reeling ways, falling to 3-9 after their eighth straight loss.

It also marked the first time the Cowboys swept the Eagles in the regular season since 2009, when Dallas actually won three games over Philly, including a Wild Card win.

At times Sunday, this game looked like anything but a playoff game, especially with the amount of backup players on the field for both teams.

The Eagles, playing without Michael Vick, LeSean McCoy and DeSean Jackson, who went to IR this week, took a 14-3 lead in the second quarter, thanks to the hard running of rookie Bryce Brown, who rushed for 169 yards and two touchdowns. But Brown had a key fourth-quarter fumble that Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne returned 50 yards for a game-clinching touchdown.

But the reason the Cowboys even had the lead was the play of Romo, who was nearly flawless, throwing three touchdowns, no interceptions for a 150.5 quarterback rating. He was a perfect 10 of 10 in the second half with three touchdowns.

When the game turned: The back-and-forth affair took a twist when Brown fumbled in the fourth quarter and Claiborne returned it 50 yards for a touchdown, giving the Cowboys a 38-27 lead with 3:50 to play.

Highlight moments: The Eagles got back into the game late in the fourth when Damaris Johnson returned a punt 98 yards for a touchdown to make it a one-score game with 31 seconds remaining. ... Romo became the Cowboys' all-time leader in touchdown passes, surpassing Troy Aikman (165) with his first scoring toss to Dez Bryant in the third quarter. Romo threw two more, finishing with 168 for his career.

Top-shelf performances:

• Eagles RB Bryce Brown -- 24 carries, 169 yards, 2 TD
  
  
• Eagles QB Nick Foles -- 22 of 34 passing, 251 yards, 1 TD – 96.6 QB rating
  
  
• Cowboys QB Tony Romo -- 22 of 27 passing for 303 yards, 3 TDs – 150.5 QB rating
  
  
• Cowboys WR Dez Bryant -- 6 catches, 98 yards, 2 TDs
  
  
• Cowboys RB DeMarco Murray -- 23 carries, 83 yards, 1 TD
  
  
• Cowboys TE Jason Witten -- 6 catches, 108 yards

What they said about DeMarco Murray's return to the lineup

• Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo -- “Yeah, it makes things easier. DeMarco played well. I think if we are able to run the ball, we will put a lot of pressures on defenses to try to contain our passing game. It was a big lift.”
  
  
• Cowboys coach Jason Garrett -- “It was good to have him back. He really has a presence for us. We watched him all game to see how the foot was and how his conditioning was doing. He's just a damn good football player. He really is. It's fun to have him back and it made a real difference tonight.”
  
  
• Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray -- “I thought the offensive line did a great job in the second half. We got it going. I was champing at the bit to get out there. I really missed being there for those games. But if we can run the ball and protect Tony (Romo), he can be really, really good. He was great tonight.”

Numbers you should know: Despite their 6-6 record, the Cowboys have trailed in every game this season, including eight times at halftime. The Cowboys are 3-5 when losing at the break. ... In the last four games, Bryant has caught 29 passes for 475 yards and six touchdowns. ... On third-down conversions, the Cowboys were 9 of 14 for 64 percent. The Eagles weren't far off, converting 6 of 10.

Injury update: Both teams were beat up entering the game with key players missing on both sides of the ball. Cowboys -- They were able to get through the game relatively healthy, although Bryant left the field in the fourth quarter to get an IV. Eagles -- They played the game without Michael Vick and LeSean McCoy on offense. In the game, FS Kurt Coleman had a chest contusion and will have an MRI Monday. Tight end Brent Celek had an abdominal strain but was able to return to the game.

Going forward: Cowboys -- They go back on the road for the first time in a month when they travel to Cincinnati, followed by two homes games against the Steelers and Saints. Eagles -- They travel to Tampa Bay next week, followed by a short week and home game against Cincinnati on Thursday night.

For more Cowboys information follow @CBSCowboys and @nickeatman.

For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Philadelphia Eagles from blogger Kevin Noonan, follow @CBSEagles.