Dallas (5-3) at Philadelphia (4-4), Monday 9:00 pm EST

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Now that they know enigmatic wide receiver Terrell Owens no longer will be part of the team, the Philadelphia Eagles can turn their attention toward the rest of the season.

After banishing Owens from the organization for good, the Eagles meet the Dallas Cowboys in a critical NFC East game Monday night.

With the Owens fiasco affecting them all season, the Eagles have fallen into last place after winning the division each of the last four seasons.

Last week, Owens was suspended by coach Andy Reid for conduct detrimental to the team following his comments about the organization, quarterback Donovan McNabb and for failing to apologize to the team.

Owens' tenure essentially ended with the team Monday when Reid announced the controversial receiver would not be back this season. That means that Owens will never play again for the Eagles, who will likely release him after the 2005 season.

After being banished, Owens did apologize to Reid, the organization and McNabb. But the Eagles have no interest in bringing him back.

With the Owens distraction, no running game and with McNabb playing through a variety of injuries, the Eagles already have surpassed their loss total from last season. But they are just one game behind second-place Washington and Dallas and two games back of the division-leading New York Giants.

Playing without Owens, McNabb spread around the ball in last week's 17-10 loss at Washington. Rookie Reggie Brown, Greg Lewis and Billy McMullen combined for 13 catches for 211 yards and a touchdown.

A second-round pick out of Georgia, Brown replaced Owens in the starting lineup against the Redskins and caught five passes for 94 yards, including a 56-yard touchdown.

McNabb completed 22-of-35 passes for 304 yards with an interception but generated just one touchdown drive against the Redskins.

The Cowboys have to be happy they will not have to deal with Owens. Last November 15 in a Monday night game at Dallas, Owens had six catches for 134 yards and three TDs in a 49-21 victory.

Cowboys coach Bill Parcells made a host of moves on the defensive side of the ball in the offseason in order to compete with the Eagles.

Parcells' moves paid off in the first meeting between the teams on October 9 as the Cowboys rolled to a 33-10 victory. Dallas held a 456-129 advantage in total yards and had a 28-6 cushion in first downs.

Drew Bledsoe also was huge in the first meeting, completing 24-of-35 passes for 289 yards and three touchdowns. He threw TDs of 15 and 38 yards to Terry Glenn in the first quarter.

Coming off their bye, the Cowboys will be hoping to have running back Julius Jones in the lineup. He has missed the last three games since spraining his left ankle in the first meeting against the Eagles.

Two weeks ago, rookie Marion Barber III rushed for 127 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Cowboys to a 34-13 victory over Arizona.

Matchup to match: Cowboys tight end Jason Witten, who had seven catches for 80 yards in the first meeting, against strong safety Michael Lewis.

Series: Dallas leads, 52-40. The Eagles have won their last six home meetings against the Cowboys since a 34-0 loss in 1998.

Next week: Dallas hosts Detroit, November 20 Philadelphia visits NY Giants, November 20