Aikman, Offense Resurface

Facing the NFL’s worst pass defense in Texas Stadium was exactly the combination Troy Aikman needed.

Aikman had his best game since Week 6, throwing for 242 yards, including an eight-yard touchdown pass to David LaFleur, as Dallas beat Philadelphia, 20-10, Sunday to keep the Cowboys undefeated through six home games.

By taking more chances downfield instead of settling for dump passes, Aikman was able to jump-start a Dallas offense that had scored just one touchdown in 11 quarters.

The Cowboys (7-6) scored two touchdowns for the first time in four games, and they won without points from their special teams or defense for the first time since the opener. And they did it without Emmitt Smith, who left with a strained groin after one carry.

Aikman, though, wasn’t ready to call this a breakthrough, probably because it came against the Eagles (3-11), the league’s 30th-ranked defense and 31st against the pass.

“Everybody wants to know how much the team progressed one week to the next, but I don’t know,” said Aikman, who was battling the flu. “I think it’s unfair to say whether you did or didn’t make progress.”

Dallas remained tied with the New York Giants, a game behind Washington in the NFC East. The Cowboys are 6-0 at Texas Stadium for the first time since finishing 8-0 there in 1981.

Early in the game, Dallas lost Greg Ellis, its best defensive lineman, for the season with a broken left leg. Smith will be evaluated today.

Philadelphia lost quarterback Donovan McNabb to a sprained left knee ligament late in the third quarter. He, too, will be evaluated today.

McNabb wasn’t effective anyway as the Eagles lost their fourth in a row to finish 1-7 on the road, losing the last five. The league’s most generous team handed out three more turnovers, although the Cowboys didn’t score off them.

“It was sort of tough because the past couple of weeks we were able to get things rolling early,” said McNabb, who ran for 24 yards and threw for 49. “We couldn’t get into a rhythm. I don’t think this is a step backward.”

Aikman came out chucking, throwing a season-high 25 first-half passes. He finished 22 for 40, his most completions and attempts since the opener, and the Cowboys got 11 of their 22 first downs through the air.

Aikman had completions of 25, 25, 24 and 19 yards--all to different receivers.