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IRVING – Tony Romo is getting much of the attention for the Cowboys' turnaround over the last five weeks.

They are 4-1 with him as the starting quarterback.

But over the same span, the defense also has made an impact.

The Cowboys have allowed only eight touchdowns, forced 10 fumbles, intercepted seven passes and registered eight sacks the last five weeks.

"I think we got a chance to play well on any given week," coach Bill Parcells said. "Our margin for error for doing that is not as great as what the stats might show."

Overall, Dallas is fourth in the NFL in total defense and fourth against the run. Opposing quarterbacks are completing 55.1 percent of their passes, third in the NFL and first in the NFC for the defense.

And maybe for the first time this season, defensive players have stopped worrying about Parcells yelling and screaming about defensive mistakes.

LOUIS DELUCA/DMN

Linebacker Akin Ayodele has been a big reason for the Cowboys' defensive surge during their three-game winning streak.

Players are not as tentative and are playing with aggression within the 3-4 defensive scheme.

"Nobody cares anymore," cornerback Terence Newman said. "Bill's going to get on you if you make a mistake, but you can't worry about Bill, he's not playing, he's coaching. He's going to yell, and it's our job to go out and make plays. Nobody really cares anymore about him screaming and yelling."

Dallas has played better despite two significant personnel changes. The Cowboys lost linebacker Greg Ellis, their top pass rusher, for the season because of an Achilles' injury, and they cut veteran free safety Marcus Coleman after a DUI arrest.

That left the Cowboys with rookie Bobby Carpenter and veteran Al Singleton to replace Ellis.

Dallas also had to rely on Keith Davis, who made 15 starts in 2005 at free safety, and rookie Patrick Watkins to man the free safety spot.

"We just play," Newman said. "That's what we do, no matter what position you're in."

Carpenter and Singleton were praised by linebackers Bradie James and Akin Ayodele for their positive play. And Parcells said because Watkins is playing better, he should see more time Sunday against the New York Giants.

Also, the Cowboys are giving up fewer big plays for touchdowns.

In a loss at Philadelphia on Oct. 8, Dallas gave up touchdown passes of 87 and 40 yards.

On Oct. 23, in a loss to the New York Giants, the Cowboys allowed a 50-yard touchdown pass and a 44-yard pass that led to a field goal.

In the Nov. 5 loss at Washington, Dallas allowed three receivers to make catches of 20 or more yards.

During the three-game winning streak, the Cowboys have given up only one touchdown of 20 or more yards and allowed four touchdowns.

"Eliminating big plays and stopping the run and getting to see what it takes to win is important," James said. "We're not sitting over there worried about so and so, we're just playing."

The offense is doing its part.

Time of possession with Romo as the starter is better than when Drew Bledsoe was running the show. Under Bledsoe, the Cowboys averaged 31:40 per game on time of possession. With Romo, Dallas has averaged 33:00. That helps keep players fresher on defense. A more energized defense allows players to make impact plays.

"It's evident if those guys have the ball over there, we're yawning," James said. "That means we're winning the game. It's good to be bored sometimes. But you have to be winning the game sometimes to be bored."

E-mail cwatkins@dallasnews.com

The Cowboys' defensive numbers in the first six games of the season and the last five:

Takeaways by the Cowboys' defense during the three-game winning streak, which includes six interceptions.

Third-down completion percentage for opponents

Dallas has allowed one touchdown the last five quarters