IRVING, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys proved they can play with anyone in the NFL.

They are a legitimate contender after a 30-23 victory over the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks on Sunday in Seattle.

The Cowboys extended their winning streak to five games, their longest since 2007.

The question is whether they can handle their success.

“You’ve got to keep not living in yesterday and learning from it and moving forward and staying focused on the task at hand,” coach Jason Garrett said. “It’s something we preach. We preach it all throughout our coaching staff and to our team.

“The game that we play is really set up for that. It’s the only way you can function. If you think about how our weeks are set up, we play 16 games, so it’s one game at a time. Then, your practice week is one practice at a time. Then, you break it down even further than that to one play at a time, and that’s something that we really believe in.

“You have to let the last one go and move on to the next one and be your best, be the best version of yourself, and we’ve got to continue to try to get better.”

The players celebrated on the plane ride home, but their focus quickly moved to Sunday’s game against the New York Giants and Dallas’ first division game of the season.

“Every win is big,” guard Ronald Leary said. “Of course, when you go to the defending world champs’ home and win, that’s a big win. But we know we have to do it again. We won the game, celebrated last night, but it’s time to move on to the first division game against the Giants.”

NOTES: OT Doug Free could miss three to four weeks due to a sprained right foot. … LB Bruce Carter, who missed the past two games with a quadriceps injury, is expected to return to practice this week. There is a chance he could return for Sunday’s game against the Giants.

REPORT CARD VS. SEAHAWKS

–PASSING OFFENSE: A — QB Tony Romo was an efficient 21 of 32 for 250 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. He made big plays, escaping sacks to throw some big completions, including a 23-yard connection with WR Terrance Williams on third-and-20. The Cowboys finished 10 of 17 on third down.

–RUSHING OFFENSE: A — The Seahawks came into the game with the league’s best rushing defense, allowing just 62 yards per game. The Cowboys ran them into the ground, producing 162 yards on 37 carries. RB DeMarco Murray gained 115 yards on 29 carries.

–PASS DEFENSE: A — With no running game to speak of, QB Russell Wilson was limited as a passer, completing 14 of 28 passes for 126 yards and an interception. The Cowboys shut down WR Percy Harvin’s screen game to three catches for 0 yards. The Seahawks made one play in the passing game, a 53-yarder that was the result of a pick play.

–RUSH DEFENSE: A — The Seahawks’ vaunted run game was shut down. RB Marshawn Lynch produced 61 yards on 10 carries, but one carry gained 32 yards. On his other attempts, he averaged 3.2 yards. Harvin wound up with minus-1 yard total on three fly sweeps. The Cowboys’ defense was all over the Seahawks’ offense.

–SPECIAL TEAMS: D — KR/PR Dwayne Harris had an awful game with a muffed punt, a bad decision to field a punt at the 5 and missed block that allowed a blocked punt, which was returned for a touchdown. Chris Jones was average at best with two punts for a 32.5-yard average, excluding the one that was blocked. However, PK Dan Bailey was money with a team-record, 56-yard field goal.

–COACHING: A — The Cowboys went to Seattle, spotted the Seahawks a 10-0 lead and commenced to dominate the rest of the game. This Dallas team is mentally tough. It is resilient. It also possesses a proven formula for success.