"DeSean Jackson stopped, turned, extended his arms, and fell backward into Eagles-Cowboys lore forever.

Eleven months later, Jackson finally did "sting" the Cowboys' backsides.

The wiry little wide receiver is a perplexing combination, as infuriating as he is exhilarating. That Twitter boast last year was just one example. If he wore a different uniform, Philadelphia fans would despise his brashness and his petulance. But all is forgiven when No. 10 gathers in a short pass, as he did in the fourth quarter of a tie game Sunday night, and turns the corner.

"He's always doing things like that," running back LeSean McCoy said. "The kid's only 165 pounds, but he's a special talent."

No argument there. Few players change a football game all by himself like that. Brian Westbrook used to be able to do it. Michael Vick certainly has shown that he can do it. But Jackson turning that corner was as breathtaking as anything you've seen in this improbable season.

And he did it with one bad wheel. After the game, Jackson was limping badly. He spent a long time in the trainer's room getting treatment on his foot.

"They wanted me to come out of the game and get it X-rayed," Jackson said. "But I couldn't leave my team like that. I wanted to stay out there. I got to make a big play, so it turned out."

It is worth savoring the play, at least up until the moment Jackson drew a mustache on it with his antics at the end.

The Eagles were at their 9-yard line after yet another special-teams penalty. Jackson was split out to the left. Vick took the snap and fired a quick pass to his left. Cornerback Mike Jenkins gambled. He lost. The ball sailed just beyond the reach of his diving hand.

Jackson caught it and turned. He danced a few steps along the sideline, very nearly stepping on the white paint, then engaged that higher gear. Everyone in the stadium knew instantly that he was gone.

"I'm happy for the kid," Vick said. "He challenged me tonight. He demanded the football, and look what he did when he got it."

It was a great play by a great player. And then Jackson turned it into a bit of farce. He looked back, saw that safety Terence Newman wasn't close enough to be a threat, and did his little fall into the end zone.

It was stupid. Andy Reid made sure to let Jackson know that after he collapsed on the sideline and hit the oxygen tank."