Terrell Owens (R) drops a pass
© AFP/Getty Images Chris McGrath

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Owens, a lightning rod for controversy throughout his NFL career, was braced for a rude welcome from Philly fans, who once loved but now loathe him.

Owens was jeered throughout by the sellout crowd. After nearly helping the Eagles win a Super Bowl title in 2004, Owens nearly ruined the team with his petulant behavior before he got the boot last season.

Sunday's reunion was given added piquancy two and a half weeks ago, when Owens was rushed to hospital for what police eventually dubbed an accidental overdose of prescription pain medication.

The rough ride Owens received from the notorious Philadelphia fans was matched by the Eagles' tenacity against the Cowboys.

McNabb - a past target of Owens' complaints - passed for 354 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another score.

"I've always said this is a team game and we have guys who can make plays," McNabb said. "It's not T.O. versus Donovan. It's the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles. The pleasure I get out of it is the fact that we get a chance to stay in our position at the top (of the NFC East)."

Philadelphia Eagles fan holds up a sign with a picture of former Eagle Terrell Owens reading "T.O.D."
© AFP/Getty Images Chris McGrath

Owens didn't have nearly the same kind of impact for the Cowboys.

He caught just three passes for 45 yards and often threw his hands up in disgust and vented his frustration on the sidelines.

Owens appeared frustrated with the Cowboys' offensive line and quarterback Drew Bledsoe, who was sacked seven times.

"I'm not going to point fingers," Owens said. "You watched the game. Make your own judgement. If you know how to break down film, you'll see I was open, and the opportunity was there to make plays."

Philadelphia's defense also forced five turnovers. The biggest one came when cornerback Lito Sheppard picked off a pass by Bledsoe in his own end zone and raced 102 yards for a touchdown with 16 seconds left, sealing the win for Philadelphia, who improved to 4-1.

The Cowboys, who fell to 2-2, trailed 31-24 when Eagles safety Michael Lewis was flagged for a 57-yard pass interference penalty.

On 4th-and-18, Bledsoe intended to complete a long pass to Terry Glenn, who was knocked over by Lewis at the Philadelphia 6 with 38 seconds left.

New York Jets quarterback Kellen Clemens (L) fumbles as he is hit by defensive tackle Montavious Stanley
© AFP/Getty Images Doug Benc

Bledsoe attempted to hit Owens on the next play, but fired a pass off the goalpost since Owens was covered.

On the next play, Bledsoe tried to complete a pass to tight end Jason Witten in the end zone, but Sheppard picked off the pass and recorded the second-longest interception return for a touchdown in Eagles history.

McNabb hit rookie Hank Baskett with an 87-yard touchdown pass with 7:28 left in the third quarter to give the Eagles a 24-21 lead.

Mike Vanderjagt kicked a 39-yard field goal for Dallas with 11:14 remaining in the fourth quarter to tie the game.

But the Eagles reclaimed the lead when McNabb connected with Reggie Brown on a 40-yard scoring play off a flea flicker with 9:13 left in the fourth quarter.

Owens dashed off the field as soon as the game ended.

"I was frustrated," Owens said. "I'm a competitor. I do not like to lose."

The Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts remained unbeaten, Chicago with a dominant victory over Buffalo and the Colts with a narrow victory over the lowly Tennessee Titans.

The Bears improved to 5-0 for first time in 20 years with a 40-7 pummelling of the Bills, now coached by former Bears coach Dick Jauron.

Quarterback Philip Rivers (R) of the San Diego Chargers is sacked by Tyrone Carter (L) of the Pittsburgh Steelers
© AFP/Getty Images Donald Miralle

Rex Grossman threw for two touchdowns and the Bears again dominated defensively.

It was a far different story in Indianapolis, where the Colts started as the overwhelming favorites and were held scoreless by winless AFC South rivals Tennessee in the first half before rallying for a 14-13 victory.

New Orleans rookie Reggie Bush highlighted another solid all-around game with his first NFL touchdown, scoring on a punt return in the fourth quarter to lift the Saints to a 24-21 victory over NFC South division rivals Tampa Bay.

The Kansas City Chiefs spoiled Matt Leinart's first career NFL start, beating the rookie quarterback's Arizona Cardinals 23-20.

In Green Bay, three-time Most Valuable Player Brett Favre made his NFL-record 226th consecutive start despite suffering a head and shoulder injury in last Monday's loss at Philadelphia.

Running back Larry Johnson of the Kansas City Chiefs receives treatment
© AFP/Getty Images Brian Bahr

He nearly rallied the Packers to a come-from-behind victory, but fumbled with Green Bay in position for a potential game-tying field goal as the Packers fell 23-20 to St. Louis.

The New England Patriots had a pair of touchdowns passes from quarterback Tom Brady in a 20-10 victory over Miami. Carolina beat Cleveland 20-12, Minnesota erased a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat Detroit 26-17 and the New York Giants downed NFC East foes Washington 19-3.

In the battle of the Bay Area, San Francisco beat winless Oakland 34-20.

The Jacksonville Jaguars crushed the New York Jets 41-0, and San Diego downed Pittsburgh 23-13.

©AFP