Here is a sampling of what Eagles coach Andy Reid had to say after the game:

"There were some good things and some bad things. There were some things that were close that could have gone on either way and didn't go our way.

On the challenges: Hindsight is 20-20. You probably would like to have those back. They didn't go the way I anticipated . I can't go into the challenges unless you are willing to pay for it. I'm seeing there and then have feedback upstairs.

On the mistakes: We had too many penalties period. We need to do a better job ... We had too many mistakes. We'll get back on the horse.

On DeSean Jackson being contained: "They did a good job of rolling the coverage to him."

On kicking the late field goal: "Listen I thought we could hold them with four minutes left and come back and win the game, but it didn't work out that way.

On the Cowboys: "We knew it was going to be two heavyweights swinging at each other and that's what it was. tough hard-fought game ... They got the better of us today."

On the offense: "I thought they did a decent job of covering us down the field. That's going to happen. You have to work your way through the progression. With their skill up front you have to do that quickly. We could have better plays in there from my standpoint. Everybody had a little peice of it. That's the way it happens in games like this. You gotta keep battling through it."

On Miles Austin's TD: "They had a double move there. Sheldon played a heck of a game, but they got him a with a double move there. It happens."

On Westbrook: "He felt good during the week. He practiced during the week. It's a crazy deal. I know this. If he has those, I'm going to go more on the conversative side and take every precautionary measure possible. I'm not going to stick him out there, even if the tests are positive."

Asked if he felt one got away, he said: "One did get away, but it's not the end of the season." He said the Eagles have to refocus to go to the West Coast next week against San Diego and do better than they did at Oakland."

Updating: The Eagles got within 7-6, following a 48-yard David Akers field goal that capped a 54-yard drive, 12 plays plus one penalty, lots of good momentum for the running game.Things looked better, especially with Jason Peters returning at the 2-minute warning. Apparently, those ankle X-rays were negative.

Then, though, the defense got shaky. First it allowed a 64-yard Tony Romo completion to Patrick Crayton. Then, for the second time in the game, the Cowboys set up points by converting a long third down on an inside screen to wideout Kevin Ogletree. Maybe after halftime, the Birds will have figured that one out.

It's 10-6 Cowboys at the half, following a 22-yard Nick Folk field goal.

Earlier: Well, we're into the second quarter and the Cowboys are still winning, 7-3 now, after a 45-yard David Akers field goal.

Most ominous development so far was when Jay Ratliff rolled up Jason Peters' ankle while sacking Donovan McNabb. Peters did not go to the locker room right away, instead getting retaped, but now he's inside getting an ankle X-ray. Todd Herremans moved to Peters' left tackle spot, Nick Cole moved from right to left guard, and Stacy Andrews came in for Cole at right guard. Andrews just gave up a sack to Jay Ratliff, killing the Birds' drive and making the field goal tougher than it should have been.

Earlier: The Eagles are down 7-0, thanks to a pass that rookie wideout Jeremy Maclin volleyballed off his hands to Dallas's Gerald Sensabaugh, setting the Cowboys up at the Birds' 37.

Seven plays later, Tashard Choice took a Wildcat snap through a large hole left of center, from 2 yards out. Several times so far, the Eagles have used a funky defensive lineup that features 3, 2, or no down linemen. It hasn't worked great. In fact, the no-down-linemen version surrendered a 21-yard screen completion to Kevin Ogletreee on third and 9 from the Eagles' 23; Dallas didn't seem taken aback, or confused.

Stay tuned.

UPDATED: Brian Westbrook will not play tonight vs. Dallas.

The Eagles released a statement from head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder, regarding Brian Westbrook's condition moments ago. It reads:

"On Friday afternoon Brian began experiencing symptoms of a mild headache. From that point forward, we had Brian re-evaluated by (team internist) Dr. Gary Dorshimer and we put him through extensive testing. Even though those tests were determined to be negative, we all thought it would be in the best interests of Brian and the team that he should be deactivated for tonight's game. We will continue to evaluate Brian this week"

Also, linebacker Chris Gocong is inactive with hamstring and quad injuries, suffered against the Giants. Rookie Moise Fokou will start in his place.

The other inactives: Kevin Curtis, Victor Abiamiri, Max Jean-Gilles, Mike McGlynn, Dmitri Patterson and P.J. Hill.

All three quarterbacks are active. 

Earlier:

Eagles running back Brian Westbrook is not expected to play tonight against Dallas, ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting, citing two league sources. ESPN said a team spokesman was noncommital; the team spokesman told the Daily News that the Westbrook information "isn't coming from us" and that Westbrook's status will be updated about 90 minutes before gametime, when the inactives are announced.

Westbrook missed last week's game against the Giants after suffering a concussion the previous Monday against Washington. Westbook practiced Wednesday and Thursday, but was held out Friday.

Coach Andy Reid said Friday that Westbrook had not suffered any setbacks after taking most of the reps on consecutive days. Reid said Westbrook sat to give rookie running back LeSean McCoy some first-team practice reps. Reid also said Westbrook was not having headaches. Nonetheless, the team listed Westbrook as "questionable" for tonight's game, which raised faint alarm bells..

If Westbrook indeed does not play, you have to wonder if some sort of setback did occur between Thursday and Friday, despite Reid's denial. Westbrook's agent, Todd France, did not respond to requests for comment from the Daily News Sunday.

The Eagles host the Dallas Cowboys tonight in an NFC East showdown with first place on the line.

Look for updates here on Eagletarian throughout the game, but let's get started with our staff predictions, key matchups and more.

STAFF PREDICTIONS

Les Bowen: Eagles, 28-23

Ed Barkowitz: Eagles, 27-21

Bill Conlin: Eagles, 24-17

Paul Domowitch: Eagles, 31-20

Marcus Hayes: Eagles, 24-20

Mike Kern: Eagles, 27-20

Vegas Vic: Eagles, 30-24

VIEW FROM DALLAS

Here are the selections of the football writers from the Dallas Morning News:

Todd Archer: Eagles, 35-30

Tim Colishaw: Cowboys, 26-21

Gerry Fraley: Cowboys, 27-24

Rick Gosselin: Eagles, 27-24

Bill Nichols: Cowboys, 24-21

David Moore: Eagles, 34-31

Kevin Sherrington: Eagles, 24-21

Jean Jacques Taylor: Eagles, 38-28

SUNDAY NIGHT VIEWS

If you are looking for trends, the Eagles are 0-6 since NBC took over the Sunday night football package. The Cowboys are 8-2, incuding a loss to the Giants earlier this season.

Rodney Harrison on who will win: "I like the Eagles. This is the Dallas Cowboys biggest test yet, especially Tony Romo. He's going to see a host of blitzes. They're going to disguise coverage and come from all over the place. They're going to try and pressure and knock him in the mouth."

Tony Dungy on the NFC East's best team: "I like Philadelphia because I think Dallas still has some weaknesses in the secondary. You can see a ton of big plays from Philly's receivers this week."

DOMO'S KEY MATCHUPS

1. Eagles LT Jason Peters vs. Cowboys LB DeMarcus Ware: Ware will line up on both ends, but probably will spend the majority of time on Peters' side. He's one of the league best pass rushers. Peters has been up and down. He gave up both of the Eagles' sacks last week. Advantage: Cowboys

2. Eagles WRs DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin vs. Cowboys CBs Terence Newman and Mike Jenkins: Newman and Jenkins are good corners, but they're going to need help from their pass rush to neutralize the two young speedsters. Advantage: Eagles

3. Eagles FS Sean Jones vs. Cowboys TE Jason Witten: One of the main reasons Jones has replaced Macho Harris is because of the problems the Eagles have been having vs. opposing TEs. Witten's got 37 catches, but just one TD. Advantage: Cowboys
 

Earlier this week, we heard from Mike Jenkins about his plans for the Eagles receivers, then we heard from Roy Williams with his thoughts on his family's experience in Philly last year.

Now, we hear from Miles Austin, who took a more tactful approach.

Asked to describe Eagles fans, Austin replied: "Passionate. I might have more adjectives, too.”

Austin has just two catches in four career games against the Eagles, but his numbers over the last three weeks have impressive: 482 yards and 5 touchdowns.

"I want to see me do it against a Philly defense and a division game on the road,” Austin said. “All I can do is play my hardest. That's what I've been doing, and we'll see what happens.”

*

The Eagles' punt-coverage unit has allowed just 5.3 yards per return this season, the fourth best mark in the league. In their last six games, they've held opponents to 3.9 yards per return and haven't given up a punt return longer than 11 yards during that period.

They'll get a major test from the Cowboys' Patrick Crayton, who has returned punts for touchdowns in each of the last two games. He had an 82-yard return against Seattle Sunday, and a 73-yarder against Atlanta the week before.

"He's doing the job right now," said cornerback Joselio Hanson, one of the Eagles' "gunners" on the punt coverage unit. "If he gets another one, that'd be the record [for consecutive games with a punt return for a TD]. We can't let that happen."

Crayton's touchdown returns were the first two of his career. He came into this season with a career average of 8.4 yards per return.

At 6-foot and 204 pounds, there's nothing fancy about Crayton's return style. He's more Brian Mitchell than DeSean Jackson.

"He's going to catch it, find a seam and try to break it," Hanson said. "We can't give him that straightforward seam."
 

*

Pretty interesting item we saw in the San Antonio paper: The Cowboys have given up scores on the opening possession in the last two games, against Seattle and Atlanta. The Eagles lead the league with 61 first-quarter points and have scored 44 points on their first two possession. A quick start can only help.

Linebacker Chris Gocong is listed as doubtful after missing his third consecutive day of practice with quadriceps and hamstring injuries suffered against the Giants.

Rookie Moise Fokou would start in his place.

“He’ll be ready,” coach Andy Reid said of Fokou. “He’s worked hard at that. Even when Chris was healthy, he took a couple of reps in practice and stayed on top of things.”

Brian Westbrook did not practice today after practicing the last two days, but coach Andy Reid was unconcerned. He is listed as questionable. Westbrook has not played since a concussion suffered against Washington.

" He has had two hard days of work and really the young kid (LeSean McCoy) hasn’t gotten a ton of reps so like I’ve done on other Fridays I kept Brian out and limited," said Reid, who added that Westbrook has not had any headaches.

As for Westbrook’s role against Dallas, Reid said, “I think he can contribute a bunch here. We’ve been rotating (Westbrook and LeSean McCoy), so that’s what we will continue to do.”

Defensive linemen Victor Abiamiri and Brodrick Bunkley returned to practice after being limited Thursday with knee issues. Reid said he is confident that Bunkley and Chris Clemons, who has been hampered by a shoulder and elbow injury, will play.

Abiamiri is listed as doubtful, Bunkley as questionable and Clemons as probable.

“Abiamiri is further away than the other two,” Reid said.

Nick Cole is expected to start at right guard. 

Safety Macho Harris (ankle) is also listed as questionable.
 

The Eagles face the Dallas Cowboys for the 100th time when they meet Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field.In today's Eagles Playbook, Mark Kram looks back at the first game. Here are some facts about the series:

Overall: Cowboys lead, 55-44.

In Philadelphia: Eagles lead, 26-22

In Dallas: Cowboys lead, 33-18

In the playoffs: Cowboys lead, 2-1

At the Linc: Eagles lead, 4-2

Under Andy Reid: Eagles lead, 14-6

Reid vs. Wade Phillips: Cowboys lead, 3-2

Biggest Cowboys win: 56-7 (Oct. 9, 1966)

Biggest Eagles win: 44-6 (Dec. 28, 2008)

Eagles shutouts: 2

Cowboys shutouts: 1

Longest Cowboys winning streak: 11

Longest Eagles winning streak: 8

Games decided by a TD or less: 37

Games decided by two or more TDs: 44

Games decide by three or more TDs: 30

Overtime games: 1*

Monday night games: 11

Sunday night games: 2

Thanksgiving Day: 1

Saturday games: 2

Friday games: 1

Season openers: 3

Season finales: 3

Cowboys points scored: 2,149

Eagles points scored: 1,929

* Eagles won, 16-13, Nov. 5, 2000
 

*

* USA Today wonders what has happened to the NFC East. Once a powerhouse, the teams in the division appear to have some serious flaws and that is even if you eliminate the woeful Redskins from the conversation. Some interesting points here.

* The Cowboys are confident that Marion Barber is continuing to improve after suffering a quad strain in Week 2. In the four games since he returned from the injury, Barber has gained only 194 yards on 54 carries. "He’s got a little more juice," Wade Phillips said, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "It’s an injury that you lose strength. It’s not something where you’re going to get injured again. He lost some power in one leg. He could play, and I thought he had his best game last week. He looked good today. I think more and more we’ll see the Marion Barber that we know and love."

To see What We're Watching in Sunday's game, click here.
 

Each week, Daily News football writer Paul Domowitch will tell you the things he will be keeping his eyes on during that week’s game:
 

1. Make Romo Be Romo: Tony Romo hasn’t thrown an interception in the last three games and has been sacked just five times in those games. But those games were against three defenses — Seattle, Atlanta and Kansas City — with a combined opponent passer rating of 92.8. When Romo is pressured, when Romo gets knocked around, he makes mistakes. His record as a starter when he’s been sacked no more than once — 21-3. His record when he’s been sacked more than once — 11-11.

2. The tight end dilemma: Cowboys TE Jason Witten is a difficult matchup for opposing defenses. His 37 receptions ties him with the Eagles’ Brent Celek for most by an NFC tight end. The Eagles have had their problems this season vs. opposing TEs. They’ve given up just six TD catches in the last four games, but five have been to TEs. Opponents clearly are attacking them there. Of the 970 passing yards against the Eagles in the last four games, 411 (42.4 percent) have come on passes to tight ends.

3. More takeaways: The Eagles are first in the NFL in takeaways with 21. They’ve won four of their last six meetings against the Cowboys and turnovers have been a key in all four. They forced 16 turnovers in those four wins, and just three in their two losses. The Cowboys are 29-8 when Tony Romo has thrown no more than one interception, but 3-6 when he’s had multiple picks.

4. Protecting Donnie Mac: The Cowboys have 11 sacks in the last three games and have notched at least three in each of their their last five. Linebacker DeMarcus Ware, who had an NFL-best 20 sacks last season, is the man the Eagles have to contain. Much of that responsibility will fall on left tackle Jason Peters. Ware has five of the Cowboys’ 11 sacks the last 3 weeks. He’s had at least one sack in five of his last six games against the Eagles.

5. The big-play Birds: The Eagles haven’t been much for methodical scoring marches this season. Just three of their 20 touchdown drives have been longer than six plays. They have a league-high 12 offensive plays of 40-plus yards (nine passing, three rushing), including six by wide receiver DeSean Jackson.
 

DOMO'S TOP 10

1. Colts, 7-0
2. Saints, 7-0
3. Vikings, 7-1
4. Broncos, 6-1
5. Patriots, 5-2
6. Steelers, 5-2
7. Ravens, 4-3
8. Eagles, 5-2
9. Packers, 4-3
10. Bengals, 5-2

To read the latest from Roy Williams, click here

To read our report from today's practice, click here

DALLAS — Roy Williams has not had good experiences on the field against the Eagles, and he says his family was not treated well by the fans because they were wearing Cowboys gear during their visit.

“My brother was trying to get a cab ride back to the hotel [from the stadium] and they got in the cab and the guy was like, ‘E-L-G-S, Eagles! Eagles! Eagles!’ ” Williams said. “My brother said, ‘First of all, learn how to spell.’ But he wouldn’t give my family a ride because they had Cowboys stuff on. So they learned not to wear Cowboys stuff when they go to Philly.”

Williams was a member of the Detroit Lions when they lost to the Eagles, 56-21, in 2007, and then was with the Dallas for last year’s 44-6 pounding in the regular season finale.

“I got blown out there twice,” Williams said, “so I know what it’s like up there.”

And then Williams went all World Series.

"We just need A-Rod to come up to the plate and hit a grand slam for us and get this thing out of hand real quick," he said. "Just one. We need points really fast to shut the crowd up and get them out of the game."

-- Andy Friedlander

*
 

The Eagles estimate about 20 percent of their fans use mass transit to get to Lincoln Financial Field, so the SEPTA strike, should it continue into Sunday evening, will present a few challenges for the 8:20 p.m. game against the Cowboys.

The team is encouraging fans to carpool. Because of the expected crush of extra cars, the team is opening lots at 1 p.m. Sunday.
 

-- Les Bowen

* 

To read our report from Eagles practice, click here.

Among the Eagles' biggest struggles defensively this year has been keeping track of the tight end. And now, along comes All-Pro Jason Witten from the Cowboys.

"We’ve got to know where 82 is all the time," defensive coordinator Sean McDermott said. "In every personnel group that they put out there he’s a guy that they look to. If it’s Will, if it’s another linebacker, if it’s a defensive lineman, if it’s a safety, they need to be studying film and know exactly what 82 does, when he does it and where he does it from.”

In 11 career games against the Eagles, Witten has 63 receptions for 792 yards and three touchdowns. He has had three 100-yard receiving games vs. the Birds, including 110 in the Week 2 meeting last season.

McDermott said Miles Austin has always been a good receiver, but is on the field more now - a fact that has not been lost on Roy Williams, the Cowboys' presumed No. 1 receiver.

"Yeah, there’s a one receiver and a two receiver. But we’re on the field at the same time," William said. "I’m the No. 1 receiver, but things are just going No. 2’s way."

Said McDermott of Austin: “He’s always been a good receiver and he’s always been a guy that we’ve had to be aware of when he came into the game, whatever role that may have been. This year specifically, to me, what’s different is that he’s on the field more and so he has more opportunities and that skill set that he brings to the table then has a chance to unfold and expose defenses and defensive backs and so on and so forth. He’s a threat out there for sure.”

McDermott pointed out that quarterback Tony Romo has been most effective when he is playing within the offense, but has tended to struggle when getting out of that and trying to make plays on his own.

On the injury front, it is unclear whether linebacker Chris Gocong will play after injuring his quad and hamstring on the same leg. If he can't play, rookie Moise Fokou will start.

Brodrick Bunkley and Victor Abiaimiri were both limited participants in practice today because of knee issues.

"It's Week 8 already? Week 8, Week 9 -- I've been studying this defense and learning what I have to do week in and week out," Fokou said Thursday. "I feel pretty comfortable with the defense. There's just little things I haven't seen yet, that probably Chris has seen, that I need to work on, pretty much detail my work."

On offense, the Eagles' biggest concern is making sure they can locate linebacker DeMarcus Ware at all times. Ware tends to move around, throwing off blocking schemes. 

"They do play him a little bit unexpectedly where you may not plan to see him," offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said. "That’s a gameplan thing. You try to know where he’s at. The one thing I’ll say about him is he is a dynamite player. He is fast and quick like a running back-linebacker-receiver type guy. He’s big and strong as well. He’s really an elite player in this league and one of the best pass rushers.”

Mornhinweg said the Cowboys' defense is "playing fast, playing with confidence."

He said injuries took the Cowboys "out of the game they wanted to play" last year.