ARLINGTON, Texas — Maybe the Dallas Cowboys are onto something.

Behind rejuvenated quarterback Tony Romo and NFL rushing leader DeMarco Murray, the Cowboys dominated the New Orleans Saints 38-17 Sunday night at AT&T Stadium.

Dallas (3-1) won its third in row to move into a tie with the Philadelphia Eagles atop the NFC East. The Saints, who came to Texas desperate for a win, fell to 1-3 after their sixth consecutive road defeat dating back to last season.

Romo was all point all the night, picking apart defensive coordinator Rob Ryan’s unit with throws all over the field. Romo finished 22-for-29 for 262 yards and three touchdowns, two to second-year receiver Terrance Williams and another to receiver Dez Bryant.

Murray padded his rushing lead with 149 yards on 24 carries, his fourth consecutive game with triple-digit yardage. The fourth-year pro has scored in all four games, and he has five touchdowns for the season after reaching the end zone twice against the Saints.

The Cowboys iced the victory on Murray’s 28-yard rumble in the third quarter that made the score 31-3. And for the first time this season, Murray didn’t lose a fumble.

The 38 points were the most allowed by New Orleans since a 44-38 loss to the Carolina Panthers in the final game of 2012. The Saints beat the Cowboys 49-17 last season.

While Romo and Murray racked up big numbers, the Dallas defense was just as impressive against the Saints’ normally potent attack.

New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees wasn’t able to stretch the field, instead settling for short throws and short gains in the first half. The Saints’ lack of a running game — Mark Ingram was out — didn’t help.

Brees completed 32 of 44 passes for 341 yards, the large majority coming in the second half. He threw for two touchdowns and was intercepted once. Pro Bowl tight end Jimmy Graham made eight catches for 86 yards and a touchdown, but he lost a third-quarter fumble.

The Saints, who trailed 24-0 at halftime, got on the board when kicker Shayne Graham hit a 30-yard field goal early in the third quarter.

Brees threw both of his touchdown passes in the fourth, connecting with tight ends Josh Hill and Graham for scores. The latter scoring pass cut Dallas’ lead to 31-17.

The Cowboys dominated the first half. Romo was nearly perfect, completing 17 of 22 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns to Williams. Murray added another 87 yards rushing, including a 15-yard score.

Romo came out slinging on the Cowboys’ first drive. He converted two third-down passes to tight end Jason Witten before finding Williams in the back of the end zone on a 6-yard touchdown pass.

Dallas upped its lead to 10-0 on kicker Dan Bailey’s 51-yard field goal with 5:38 left in the second quarter. The Cowboys forced a turnover of New Orleans’ subsequent possession to add to the lead.

Brees’ throw to receiver Robert Meachem was tipped by Dallas linebacker Bruce Carter and intercepted by linebacker Justin Durant. Two plays later, Murray was striding over the goal line for a 15-yard scoring run.

Romo and Williams connected again with just 19 seconds left in the half on a 23-yard touchdown pass for a 24-point lead.

The Saints squandered their best scoring chance of the first half when Graham missed a 41-yard field goal attempt in the second quarter.

The Cowboys held the ball for nearly 18 minutes in the first half. Dallas nearly tripled the Saints in total yardage, enjoying a 290-106 edge. Brees had only 84 yards passing at the break.

NOTES: Dallas CB Morris Claiborne, who didn’t start, left the game after being injured on New Orleans’ first possession. The former first-round pick walked out on the team earlier in the week after being demoted in favor of CB Orlando Scandrick. … The Saints inactives’ were WR Joseph Morgan, CB Patrick Robinson, RB Mark Ingram, S Marcus Ball, FB Erik Long, LB David Hawthorne and NT John Jenkins. … Dallas DE Anthony Spencer made his season debut more than a year after microfracture knee surgery. LB Rolando McClain and DT Henry Melton were also active after being listed as questionable.