ARLINGTON, Texas -- Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett waded into a sea of players in the midst of a raucous end zone celebration in search of tight end Jason Witten, the 14-year veteran who caught the game-winning touchdown Sunday night.

When he finally found him, Garrett flung his arms around tight end's neck before slapping him on the helmet. Then Garrett turned and found quarterback Dak Prescott, the rookie, who overcame a dreadful start to finish strong.

He latched onto Prescott for several seconds as each man savored the joy that comes from an overtime win in the NFL.

Dallas 29, Philadelphia 23.

The Cowboys now have a two-game lead in the NFC East. They lead the Vikings, who play Chicago on Monday night, by a half-game for the conference’s best record.

The Cowboys' sixth consecutive win belonged to Garrett every bit as much as it belonged to Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, Dez Bryant and a defense that made numerous key plays in the fourth quarter and overtime.

Garrett’s strength is providing organizational direction, which is so hard to do with Jerry Jones as an owner, and keeping the Cowboys focused on the next task whether it’s a meeting, a walk-through, a practice or a game.

He’s not as good on game day, which is why Jones took away his play-calling duties three years ago. The owner wanted the coach to do a better job managing the game.

Garrett did one of his best coaching jobs Sunday night because he kept creating opportunities for the Cowboys to seize control of the game. Garrett believes in momentum, but he believes its fluid.

It’s up to the team that doesn’t have momentum to make a play and grab it back. That’s what the Cowboys did time after time against Philadelphia.

Trailing 20-10 in the third quarter after Philadelphia drove 69 yards on 12 plays for a touchdown, the Cowboys were about to go three-and-out after Prescott’s third-down pass two Bryant fell incomplete.

On fourth down, punter Chris Jones ran 30 yards around left end for a first down. The Cowboys finished the drive with a 23-yard field goal to pull within 20-13 with 1:24 left in the quarter and stay within one possession of the Eagles.

"I didn’t even know we were trying a fake punt," tackle Tyron Smith said. "I was trying to catch my breath on the sideline and it was time to go back out on the field."

Jones said he can always call the play off if the opponent presents a certain look. He took a couple of steps like he was going to punt, then he followed lead blocker Jeff Heath down the sideline.

"We practice it occasionally," Jones said of the fake, "but we worked on it this week. When it’s called, you want to be able to do it. It’s been a long time since I ran with the ball."

Early in the fourth quarter, the Cowboys used a rare trick play on offense. Understand, the Cowboys don’t use much shifting or motion in their offense. Their scheme isn’t overly complicated; they believe their talent and execution is more important than fooling defenses.

A reverse to Lucky Whitehead is about as exotic a play as the Cowboys run. But on their first possession of the fourth quarter, Prescott threw a backward pass to Cole Beasley, who threw a pass to Terrance Williams on third-and-15.

Williams had a step on his defender, but the 50-yard pass was overthrown by a foot.

Still, the play left no doubt to anyone on the Cowboys’ sideline just how important this game was to Garrett. Those plays can give a team confidence, because it shows the coach’s faith in his players to execute, and his desire to help them win the game.

In overtime, the Cowboys faced fourth-and-a-foot from the Philadelphia 28. A Dan Bailey field goal would give the Cowboys the lead, but it would also give Philadelphia the ball and a chance to tie the score or win the game with a touchdown.

If the Cowboys scored a touchdown, the game would end without the Eagles touching the ball.

Prescott and Garrett debated quickly. The rookie showed no fear, and the coach liked his attitude.

"I just felt like we were down there and it was time to go win the game," Garrett said. " ... We believe in our football team. We believed they would come through in that situation.

"It’s one thing for us to believe it, and it’s another thing of those guys to do it. I thought they believed it and they did it."

There wasn't one offensive player who wanted to kick the field goal. They wanted to score a touchdown and end the game without the Eagles ever having a possession.

"Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no," Bryant said. "Everybody on that sideline said 'let's go for it. Let's win it.'"

On fourth down, Prescott gained two yards behind center Travis Frederick and left guard Ron Leary.

Four plays later, Prescott found Witten for the game-winning touchdown. Garrett pumped his fist, stuffed his play-sheet down the back of his pants and jogged into the end zone to make sure he found Witten for a hug.