Cowboys vs. Eagles: Dallas' Biggest Winners and Losers from Week 13

The Cowboys beat the Eagles on Sunday night by a score of 38-33. That win completed a season sweep of the rival Eagles, the first since the 2009-10 season, when Dallas beat the Eagles three times, once in a Wild Card playoff game.

For this contest, the Eagles were without three of their best offensive players. Quarterback Michael Vick is still recovering from a concussion, wide receiver DeSean Jackson is out with broken ribs and running back LeSean McCoy is out with a concussion as well.

Not to be fazed, the Cowboys are missing linebackers Sean Lee and Bruce Carter, as well as center Phil Costa.

But no matter for both teams—it looks as if the Cowboys will miss the playoffs and will oust head coach Jason Garrett. The looks likely for the Eagles.

On this night in Dallas, there were a number of big plays and big players. Let's take a look at the biggest winners and losers from the Cowboys' 38-33 win over the Eagles.

WINNER: Tony Romo, QB

It's only right that Romo starts the list off as a winner, eh?

He threw three second-half touchdowns, completed 22 passes on 27 attempts and passed Troy Aikman as the all-time leader in touchdowns in Cowboys history.

Oh, and the Cowboys won the game.

I would say that Romo had a pretty good night.

LOSER: Doug Free, RT

I thought for sure that Free would be benched by halftime. He is having a hell of a bad season.

He’s leading the league in holding penalties and was flagged at least twice for tugging on someone’s jersey. He got his quarterback mauled in the first half as he was beat on speed and bull rushes by Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham.

I’ll have to mention it again, as Free is not living up to it, but he did sign a $32 million contract, a deal that has been labeled one of the NFL’s worst by ESPN’s own John Clayton.

WINNER: Dez Bryant, WR

Bryant was held to just one catch in the first half, but he exploded in the second.

He ended the game with six catches for 98 yards and two touchdowns. One of his six catches was a one-handed first-down reception, and another was a 35-yard leap between two Eagle defenders. Those were just first-down catches.

When Bryant is focused, I'm not sure if he can be stopped.

LOSER: Cowboys Mental Errors

Not sure how a mental error can be a winner, but you get the picture.

Dallas was flagged seven times for 60 yards and decided to give up a 98-yard punt return for a touchdown with under a minute to play in the game.

That is the type of breakdown that has come to define the Cowboys, except this time, it did not cost them the game.

Want to know why Dallas has six wins and six loses? Take a peek at the penalties each game and then watch them give up a touchdown with about 30 seconds to go in the game.

WINNER: DeMarco Murray, RB

DeMarco Murray missed six games with a sprained foot and returned being just about 85 percent healthy, if that.

That didn't matter for the Cowboys, as head coach Jason Garrett ran him like a rented mule. He had 23 attempts for 83 yards and one touchdown in his triumphant return.

Murray lost what seemed like 23 yards on one of his last carries of the game, which damaged his final stat line, but by that time it didn't really matter.

For what it's worth for Dallas, Murray brought balance and variety to the Cowboys offense on Sunday. If he can ever stay healthy, Murray will also represent one of the most potent offensive threats for the Cowboys.

LOSER: Brandon Carr, CB

Carr has played very well for the Cowboys this season.

The last time these two met before Sunday's matchup, Carr picked Eagles quarterback Nick Foles and returned it 47 yards for a touchdown.

Well on Sunday, Foles got his revenge. He found receiver Riley Cooper streaking down the sideline into the end zone for a 15-yard touchdown in the third quarter.

Cooper's defender was Cowboys $50 million man Brandon Carr. He may have shut down every other Eagles receiver (which he didn't, really), but he was caught on camera being beat on a touchdown by Riley Cooper.

WINNER: Jason Witten, TE

It's always fun to watch Jason Witten play football. He is one of the best tight ends in the entire league, yet for some reason it seems that opposing teams always leave him open.

That is usually not the case, but Witten always finds his way to the football.

On this Sunday, Witten had six catches for 108 yards, his longest being a 36-yard catch down to the 5-yard line.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: He is the Cowboys' top receiver and Romo's fail-safe.

LOSER: Washington Redskins

We will find out on Monday night if they were actual losers, but a Cowboys victory put more pressure on the Redskins to beat the Eagles.

Dallas and Washington are fighting for a playoff spot, and their best bet is to catch the Seahawks. It doesn't seem as if either team will find the Giants for the NFC East's top spot, so the Redskins have to beat the Giants if they want to keep pace.

WINNER: Jason Garrett, HC

He is coaching for his life right now, and a win extends his time on life support by one week.

I do not believe that the Cowboys will make the playoffs, but I've been wrong before. If they do not, then I do not expect Garrett to return. Even if the team finishes 9-7 or 10-6, Garrett's seat just cools by a single degree each time Dallas wins.

LOSER: Cowboys Defense

Before I start, Dallas has a lot of injuries. They are missing two defensive stars in Bruce Carter and Sean Lee. They are without nose tackle Jay Ratliff and DeMarcus Ware is dealing with a stinger in his neck.

Linebacker Anthony Spencer had to go out for a few plays due to an injury and the Cowboys lost cornerback Orlando Scandrick to a broken hand last week.

Even so, Dallas cannot give up 423 yards and expect to win.

Eagles running back Bryce Brown gained 169 yards on the ground and he averaged seven yards per carry. If this team wants to make the playoffs, that type of defensive ineptness cannot continue.

WINNER: Morris Claiborne, CB

Claiborne has had an up-and-down year, but Sunday he was able to put the game away for his team.

He recovered a fumble and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown, giving Dallas a lead of 38-27. Plus that picture is worth a spot on the winners list.