IRVING, Texas, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- Philadelphia returned two interceptions off Ryan Leaf for touchdowns Sunday, one of them produced by linebacker Jeremiah Trotter in the final moments of the first half, sending the Eagles to an easy 36-3 conquest of the Dallas Cowboys.
A bust since being taken with the second overall pick in the 1998 draft by the San Diego Chargers, Leaf signed with the Cowboys last month after being cut by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in training camp.
Leaf was efficient in his first start as a Cowboy in last week's 20-13 loss at Atlanta. On Sunday, however, Leaf went up against an Eagles defense that entered the contest tied with Chicago for the fewest points allowed in the NFC.
In the second quarter, Leaf fumbled a snap in his own territory for his first miscue on the afternoon.
But his major mistake came on the final play of the half. At his own 40 with seven seconds left before intermission, Leaf had his pass down the right sideline intended for Darrin Chiaverini intercepted by Trotter and returned 50 yards for a touchdown, giving the Eagles a 20-0 advantage.
Leaf also had an interception returned 33 yards for a score by William Hampton in the fourth quarter. He finished 11 of 26 for 102 yards.
Duce Staley rushed for 102 yards and David Akers kicked five field goals for the Eagles, who swept the season series from the Cowboys by a combined score of 76-21. Philadelphia has won four straight against the Cowboys for the first time since an eight-game run from 1987 to 1991.
Philadelphia (6-3) has won three straight and moved one game in front of the New York Giants in the NFC East. The Giants play at Minnesota on Monday night.
Jon Hilbert kicked a 30-yard field goal in the fourth quarter for Dallas (2-7), which suffered its third straight loss. Hilbert, who signed earlier this week after Tim Seder went on injured reserve, missed two field goals in the first half.
