LETT AND SANDERS LEAD THE COWBOYS TO A 30-11 WIN

It had not been a good year for Leon Lett. On the field anyway. Late last year, the Cowboy tackle had received a long term contract extension. In the early games of 1995, Lett seemed to be resting on his laurels. His play was uninspired and inconsistent. Later, he suffered the humiliation of a month long drug suspension, just as the Cowboys were headed into the toughest part of their schedule.

And then there is Deion Sanders. Sanders' signing in early October appeared to guarantee Dallas a spot in this year's Super Bowl. But Sanders was troubled by nagging leg injuries. He was slow to work himself into the the Cowboys' offensive and special teams' plans. When Jerry Rice torched the Cowboys in game ten, critics wondered why Sanders was not covering Rice in key situations, and if Sanders would ever fit into the Dallas scheme. Sanders later complained that Dallas reporters were constantly referring to him as the "35 million dollar cornerback." Sanders felt this was a backhanded critcism of his play. Others seemed to share the local media's sentiment, as Sanders was left off the Pro Bowl squad.

Yesterday, Lett and Sanders made the biggest of many big Cowboy plays. Lett, the quietest Cowboy, played in flamboyant fashion. He started at his regular right tackle spot opposite Guy McIntyre, the Eagles best offensive lineman. Lett dominated McIntyre, wrecking the Eagle running game in the process. Lett also laid waste to Philadelphia's anemic passing game. He led a fierce Cowboy rush that registered five sacks.

While Lett was busy trampling through the Eagles, Deion Sanders was running circles around them. Sanders finally made good on his promise to be Mr. Everything. Early in the second quarter, he jump-started a sluggish Cowboy offense with an amazing 21 yard touchdown run on a reverse. Sanders played special teams and made a rousing punt return in the first quarter, only to have it negated by a penalty. On defense, Sanders was his steady self; he covered Eagle wideout Fred Barnett on most plays, and took the dangerous receiver out of the game. Sanders capped his day with a late interception of Randall Cunningham, which set up the Cowboys' final score of the game.

The result was a grinding 30-11 victory over Philadelphia, which propels Dallas into the NFC championship game against Green Bay next week. With Dallas sporting a six game winning streak over the Packers, the odds are good for a return to the Super Bowl.

Though Lett and Sanders led the team, they were by no means the only standouts. Kevin Williams proved that his games against New York and Arizona were no flukes, as he caught six passes for 124 yards. The Cowboys needed Williams heroics, as Michael Irvin was held to just one reception for nine yards. Emmitt Smith continued his outstanding play against Philadelphia with 99 yards rushing on only 21 carries. With Dallas sporting a 23-3 lead after three periods, Smith sat for almost the entire fourth quarter.

On defense, Tony Tolbert showed the benfits of the bye week with a two sack performance. MLB Robert Jones and tackles Russell Manyland and Chad Hennings anchored a Cowboy front which held Ricky Watters and Charlie Garner to just 44 rushing yards.

THE BIG CAT LANDS AN EAGLE

The game began sluggishly for both teams. Charlie Garner fumbled the opening kickoff and was touched down by Scott Case at the Eagle sixteen. The Eagles opened with two tight ends and attacked the left side of the Cowboy defense. Robert Jones shot past center Raleigh McKenzie to drop Watters for no gain on first down. On second down Charlie Garner took a pitch right for five. The Eagles went to a three receiver set and sent Calvin Williams on a short crossing pattern. Williams caught Rodney Peete's pass in front of Godfrey Myles and ran headlong into Darrin Smith. Smith lifted Williams into the air and bodyslammed him to the turf a yard shy of a first down. With Deion Sanders set to return, Eagle punter Tom Hutton angled his kick towards the sideline. The punt was short and bounced out of bounds at the Dallas 38.

The Cowboys opened the game by passing. On first down the Cowboys lined up Kevin Williams and Michael Irvin right. Aikman looked to Irvin, who was covered, then threw over the middle to Williams, who was tackled at the Philadelphia 49. The Cowboys lined up in a pro-set and Aikman tossed over the middle to Novacek for eight yards. The Cowboys next ran a slant left and Smith was stopped by no gain by Ronnie Dixon, who beat Nate Newton with a swim move. The Cowboys were in third and two and they lined up in their "load" formation. Dallas tried fooling the Eagles by running a trap to Daryl Johnston, but Bill Romanowski read the play and dropped Johnston for a one yard loss. John Jett's punt was high but short, and Rob Carpenter fair caught it at the fourteen.

The Eagles returned to their two tight end formation and tested the middle of the Cowboy secondary. Peete threw to H-back Reggie Johnson and saw his pass batted away by Brock Marion. Robert Jones and Dixon Edwards then crashed the backfield on a run blitz and tripped up Watters for a one yard gain. On third down Lett grabbed McIntyre, tossed him aside, and dropped Peete at the seven yard line. Tom Hutton's second punt was also short, and Sanders fielded it on the fly at the Eagle 40. He wound his way to the Eagles 17 and appeared to put the Cowboys in great field position. But backup safety Greg Briggs was flagged for hitting out of bounds, and Dallas had to start at the Eagle 43.

Mike Mamula was flagged for offsides on the following play and the Cowboys gained five easy yards. On the first play from scrimmage, Emmitt Smith ran behind right guard Larry Allen. Smith leapt past Bill Romanowski at the line of scrimmage, spun past Greg Jackson and bulled his way to the Eagle 23. The Eagles were double teaming Michael Irvin, so Dallas used this tactic against them. On the next play, Irvin lined up left. At the snap of the ball he ran a slant inside and took Bobby Taylor and linebacker William Thomas with him. Aikman threw wide to Smith, who ran a flare pattern into the area cleared by Irvin. Smith carried the ball to the Eagle 13, giving the Cowboys another first down.

Aikman then ran a bootleg right. Finding Irvin covered in the end zone, Aikman ran out of bounds at the ten. Dallas ran Smith on a draw, and he dove to the Eagle six. Aikman threw a fade to Irvin in the end zone, and Irvin felt he had drawn an interference penalty when Bobby Taylor bumped him in the end zone. No flag was thrown, so Dallas settled for a field goal by Chris Boniol.

Starting at their 33, the Eagles resumed their inside running attack. They tried a draw to Charlie Garner behind McIntyre, but Leon Lett pushed the Eagle guard back into Garner. The back kept his balance, cut back right, and gained four yards on the play. On second down the Eagles cleared the backfield. Peete took a three set drop and fired over the middle to Ed West. Dixon Edwards had West blanketed, and he nonchalantly reached over West's shoulder to bat the ball away. The Cowboys blitzed Peete on third down and he dumped the ball off to Watters in the right flat. Larry Brown rolled up in coverage and bumped Watters out of bounds a yard short of the first down. Hutton's third punt of the quarter was fair caught at the Dallas 23.

THE EAGLES MAKE A BREAK

Aikman opened the third Cowboy drive by completing a nine yard out to Kevin Williams, who was getting a five yard cushion from cornerback Eric McMillian. On second down Dallas tried fooling the Eagles. They lined up in a two tight end, two back set with Irvin as the lone receiver. Aikman faked a handoff, pump faked to Irvin, then threw deep to him. Irvin gained a step on Bobby Taylor, but Aikman's throw was slightly underthrown. Taylor was able to recover and bat the ball to McMillian, who had drifted over to give support. McMillian returned the interception to the Dallas 43, where Jay Novacek cut him down.

The Eagles stayed on the ground, and finally made some plays. Watters ran a trap left for five yards. The Eagles ran a trap right to Garner but Larry Brown spilled him after a two yard gain. The Eagles then ran a slant to Barnett, who was covered by Brown. Brown misread the play and stepped out of the passing lane. Barnett caught Peete's pass and fell to the turf at the Cowboy eighteen, giving Philadelphia its initial first down of the day.

The Eagles tried the middle of the Dallas line and again met heavy resistance. Garner ran at Chad Hennings and was tripped up after a one yard gain. Watters then ran a draw to the Dallas twelve, where he was wrapped up by a host of Cowboys. On third down Peete scrambled to his right. He escaped Robert Jones' grasp and appeared headed for a first down at the Cowboy eight. Darren Woodson left his man and smacked Peete at the nine. Woodson struck Peete on the back of the helmet and left the Eagle QB woozy. The quarter ended as Ray Rhodes deliberated going for a first down. With his quarterback hurt, Rhodes played it safe. Gary Anderson opened the second quarter with a short kick that tied the game at three.

DEION TURNS THE TIDE

After Kevin Williams returned the ensuing kickoff to the 30, Dallas inserted Deion Sanders into the lineup. He set up wide right with Michael Irvin set up wide left. The Eagle secondary dropped into a two deep zone, so the Cowboys ran a draw to Emmitt Smith. Smith got a crushing block from Johnston, who put MLB Kurt Gouveia on the the ground. Smith cut into a gaping hole off left guard and ran for twelve yards. The Cowboys ran the same play on second down, but Mark Gunn beat Derek Kennard and stopped Smith for no gain.

On second down the Cowboys put three receivers in the game. They lined Williams up on the right side of the formation, with Irvin and Sanders on the left side. Emmitt Smith was the lone back and he lined up wide, behind left tackle Mark Tuinei. Smith ran a circle route and pulled away from Gouveia, who tried to slow Smith by grabbing his jersay. Smith caught Aikman's pass and cut across the middle of the field to the Eagle 35.

The Cowboy line was finally getting a push on the Eagle front. They ran Smith on a lead draw left and he plowed behind Newton, Kennard and Johnston for six yards. Johnston got the call on second down and he gained two more yards. The Cowboys were again in the dreaded third and two against the Eagle line. Ernie Zampese did not back away however; he called "load left" the play that had failed twice in the Vet a month ago. This time it worked. Smith got outstanding blocks from Tuinei and Johnston at the point of attack and he slashed for five yards, to the Eagle 21.

The Cowboys brought Sanders back into the game and lined up in a three receiver, two back set. Sanders lined up in the slot right, inside of Irvin. He took a handoff from Aikman and followed Johnston left. Sanders found several Eagles waiting for him outside so he cut back to his right. He picked up a block from Emmitt Smith at the ten and turned the corner towards the end zone. He got a second block from Irvin at the five and flew untouched into the end zone. Boniol's extra point put the Cowboys ahead 10-3 with 10:26 remaining in the half.

THE BIG CAT ROARS AGAIN

Randall Cunningham took over for Peete and was aided by the Philadelphia running game. On first and ten from the 21, Watters ran off tackle left for eight yards. Another Watters blast gained two yards and a first down. Cunningham took to the air and hit Watters on a flare for seven. The Eagles sent Charlie Garner into the middle and he was stuffed by Darrin Smith after picking up two yards. The Eagles had had no success running at Leon Lett, so on third and one they ran away from him. Lett ran around a cut block by Raleigh McKenzie and dropped Watters at the line of scrimmage. Hutton's fourth punt of the day was caught by Sanders at the ten. He almost broke the return, but was tripped at the Dallas 21.

After a three yard Smith run, Aikman threw a slant to Williams, who caught the low pass at the 32. Sanders re-entered the game, this time as a decoy for Smith, who carried for two. On second down, Aikman pump faked and threw deep down the right sideline to Williams. Williams blew past McMillian and gathered in the Aikman rainbow at the Eagle 27.

In the Eagle scouting report, it was suggested that Dallas send Emmitt Smith on deeper routes, which would isolate him on Eagle linebackers. On the next play, Ernie Zampese called such a route -- for Daryl Johnston. The fullback got behind Bill Romanowski and caught Aikman's pass on the right hashmark. The Moose dove for the endzone, but was stopped at the one. On the next play Johnston, Kennard and Larry Allen led Emmitt Smith to paydirt. Boniol's PAT was good and Dallas' lead was now 17-3.

Chris Boniol borrowed from Gary Anderson's game as he looped his kickoff over the Eagle wedge. The ball bounced in front of Charlie Garner and through his hands. Garner had trouble fielding the ball and was tackled at the three yard line by Robert Bailey.

The Cowboys were in position to break the game open. But Cunningham stung them by throwing deep for Chris T. Jones, who drew a pass interference call on Larry Brown at the Eagle 42. Shante Carver made a strong rush on the next play, forcing Cunningham to scramble for five yards. Watters followed McIntyre left on second down, and he gained six yards and a first down. Dallas blitzed on the ensuing play and forced Cunningham to overthrow a screen pass to Watters. Cunningham was then flushed out of the pocket by Tolbert and Hennings and forced to throw his pass away. Tolbert blew past right tackle Antone Davis on third down and dropped Cunningham at the Eagle 45. The Eagles were forced to punt yet again.

The Cowboys did nothing with their last possession, going three and out. The Eagles got the ball back with 50 seconds left and quickly moved the ball to the Dallas 34. The big play was a toss to Rob Carpenter, who fumbled the ball into the hands of Calvin Williams. The Eagles were just beyond Gary Anderson's field goal range with ten seconds left in the half. They also lacked a timeout. The Eagles eschewed the field goal attempt and twice threw into the end zone. Both passes fell incomplete and Dallas went to the locker room with its lead intact.

DALLAS PUTS THE EAGLES AWAY

Kevin Williams fielded Anderson's short second half kickoff and returned the ball to the Dallas 40. Smith gained three yards on first down. On second down, the Cowboys ran a power sweep left and Smith followed Larry Allen for eight yards. The Eagles blitzed Aikman on the following play and Kurt Gouveia broke into the pocket untouched. Aikman sidestepped him and threw deep to Williams, who had beaten Mark McMillian on a post. Williams caught the ball and was wrestled down at the Eagle 15. Two Smith runs gained seven yards. On third and three, Aikman faked to Smith and rolled right. He hit Johnston in the right flat just short of the first down. Johnston broke away from two would-be tacklers and staggered for a first down at the three.

The Cowboys seemed poised for a touchdown, but the Eagles denied them. Aikman threw to Johnston on first down and had his pass batted away by Greg Jackson. Smith took a toss left and was dropped for a three yard loss. Aikman then threw over the middle to Novacek, who was held by Romanowski at the one. Novacek screamed for a penalty but none was forthcoming. Barry Switzer had the option of going on fourth and goal from the one, but he settled for the sure points. Boniol knocked his kick between the uprights and Dallas had a 20-3 lead.

Philadelphia was seventeen points down, but did not feel desperate nough to adjust its conservative attack. On first and ten from their 26, the Eagles opened their drive with a toss right to Watters. Larry Brown shoved him out of bounds after a one yard gain. On second down Shante Carver burst past Barrett Brooks. He forced Cunningham to step forward, into the rush of Tony Tolbert. Tolbert dropped Cunningham at the 20, leaving the Eagles in third and sixteen. A delay of game penalty moved the ball back five yards. Cunningham tried to pick on Larry Brown a second time, as he threw deep to Calvin Williams. Brown held his ground and the pass fell incomplete. Hutton's punt rolled out of bounds at the Dallas 41 and the offense was back in business.

After a procedure penalty put the Cowboys in first and fifteen, Aikman threw a comeback to Deion Sanders for fourteen yards. Smith ran a lead draw right and powered for five yards and a first down. On the next play, Smith followed Johnston and Kendall Watkins left for nine more yards. Johnston then ran a draw, but Kevin Johnson beat Nate Newton and stopped Johnston for no gain. On third down the Cowboys sent Smith into the line and he spun for one yard and the first down.

The Eagles ran a delayed blitz on the next play. Daniel Stubbs stunted inside Mark Tuinei and sacked Aikman at the Philadelphia 44. An offsides penalty on Larry Allen pushed Dallas back even more. Zampese called a seam route for Michael Irvin, and the receiver came open at the Eagle 25. Aikman placed the pass perfectly, but Irvin dropped the ball. Aikman next threw short to Novacek, who spun his way to the Eagle 35. The completion left the Cowboys well short of a first down, but it put them in field goal range. Chris Boniol banged his 52 yard kick just inside the right upright, and the Dallas lead was now 23-3. Worse for the Eagles, only 2:45 remained in the third quarter. Their offense had been on the field for only three plays in the second half.

Down twenty, the Eagles finally abandoned their running game. The Cowboy defense expected passes and took to field in its nickel package. Cunningham scrambled for one first down and hit Calvin Williams for a second at the Dallas 36. But that would be the deepest Eagle penetration, as Dave Campo called for a delayed blitz on the ensuing play. Godfrey Myles sacked Cunningham at the Dallas 44, bringing the third quarter to an end. Two incompletions followed, and a promising Eagle drive came to a close.

GARBAGE TIME LASTS A QUARTER

The Cowboys had so much confidence in their defense that they lifted Emmitt Smith to start the fourth quarter. With the Cowboys facing a third and one from their 19, Smith returned to the game. He caught a short pass for six yards and the first down. The drive stalled three plays later and John Jett came on to punt.

The Eagles meanwhile, looked like a team waiting to die. Cunningham passed for a quick first down, then saw three drops kill his drive. The Eagles punted and began counting down to the final gun.

The Cowboys sat Smith down for good on the following drive. Aikman found Sanders wide open down the left sideline, but overthrew him. It would not have mattered; Erik Williams was flagged for fighting with William Fuller on the play. The penalty only added to the sloppy play which filled the final quarter. John Jett punted, and the Eagles got one more opportunity to score.

IRVIN GETS INVOLVED -- FINALLY

Rodney Peete had not dared to throw in Deion Sanders' direction. Randall Cunningham was not as cautious. Facing a third and seven, he forced a pass to Calvin Williams down the left sideline. Sanders intercepted the pass and returned it to the Eagle 21. On the Cowboys' first offensive play, Sherman Williams broke a run outside to the Eagle eleven. Two plays later, Aikman pump faked to Irvin, then threw a fade into the right corner of the endzone. Irvin got a step behind Bobby Taylor and made an over the shoulder catch. Boniol's conversion made the score 30-3.

5:40 remained, so Dallas cleared the benches. Randall Cunningham then led the Eagles on a scoring drive. It came, however, against the likes of Darren Benson and Hurvin McCormack. Cornerbacks Sanders and Brown played far off the ball, allowing the Eagles to make a series of short passes. Cunningham ran a quarterback draw from the four for the Eagles' sole touchdown of the day. He then hit Reggie Johnson for a two point conversion.

The Eagles tried an onside kick that was recovered by Jay Novacek. 2:33 now remained and Philadelphia was out of time outs. Three Sherman Williams runs left the Cowboys in fourth and one. The clock was at the two minute warning. Barry Switzer decided the time was finally right to go for a first down. Sherman Williams scampered for the needed yard and the game was decided. Wade Wilson knelt down twice, and the Cowboys were one game closer to the Super Bowl.

COWBOY NOTES

Shante Carver had the most impressive game of his short career. He put steady pressure on Rodney Peete and Randall Cunningham. Carver forced the quarterbacks into at least two sacks. He was held by Eagle left tackle Barrett Brooks on several occasions, as Brooks had trouble with his moves.

Darrin Smith has finally gotten into playing shape. Smith has lost the small gut he carried after his holdout ended. He showed his usual speed in pass coverage, and handled Eagle backs and receivers with ease.

Don't think the home field advantage was important? Consider this: Had San Francisco beaten Atlanta in week seventeen, they would have hosted the feeble Eagle offense. Dallas, meanwhile, would have faced the red-hot Brett Favre. Had the Cowboys somehow managed to outlast the Packers, they would now be contemplating a flight to 3-Com Park for the NFC Championship. That's IF they had managed to beat the Packers. They now get an extra week to get healthy, sharpen their offense and brace for Green Bay.