IRVING — Terrell Owens stood at the podium for his customary postgame interview and offered an uncustomary remark.

“I know my role.”

Those are not the first words anyone expects to hear from one of the most vocal players in the NFL, who did little to hide his displeasure last season when he thought he was not being used enough. He was so embarrassed by the 48-27 loss to New England last week that he refused to talk about an individual comparison to Randy Moss, the league’s leading receiver.

But Sunday, after leading the team with 103 receiving yards and opening the scoring with a 5-yard catch in the Cowboys’ 24-14 victory against Minnesota, he had plenty of numbers to boast about.

Instead, he talked about his role on a team.

“When my number is called, I’m trying to make plays for the team,” said Owens, who had six of his seven receptions in the first half. “That’s what the coaches are asking of me, and I know my role.

“Sometimes I’m going to get it, sometimes I’m not. I’m still running my routes full speed knowing I’m not going to get the ball. That’s going to allow other guys to get plays.”

Owens, however, is getting the ball plenty. Sunday’s game was his second 100-yard receiving game of the season, and he became the team leader in receiving yards and touchdown catches. He is tied with Alvin Harper and Jason Witten for 12th on the team’s career touchdown receptions list with 18.

But none of that came up in the postgame news conference.

Instead, the veteran talked about the importance of special teams, taking care of quarterback Tony Romo, getting everyone some extra rest during the bye week and the possible return of Terry Glenn.

Team stuff.

“It’s good that our special teams are making some plays for us,” he said. “That’s what it’s all about. From the beginning of the year, we talked about being a team. Obviously, the special teams sometimes get overlooked, but they’re a part of us, and that’s a part of us winning ballgames.”

FAST STARTER

Terrell Owens likes getting involved early, and for the past two games, he has, with a first-half touchdown in each game. Here’s a look at his touchdown catches this season by quarter, with opponent, distance and score after the catch: