Looking Back At Eagles-Cowboys
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Looking Back At Eagles-Cowboys
Paul Domowitch, Daily News NFL Columnist
Did You Notice?
--Marc Colombo, who had missed the last 7 games with a broken fibula, started at right tackle for the Cowboys in place of Doug Free.
--For the second week in a row, the Cowboys won the toss and elected to receive.
--All of the pre-snap movement by the Eagles’ defense early in the game.
--While Chris Clemons got credit for the sack of Romo on the Cowboys’, first possession, Tracy White actually set it in motion with an A-gap blitz, getting in untouched and forcing Romo out of the pocket.
--Donovan McNabb’s first throw – an out-route to Jeremy Maclin – was low. His second pass was nearly intercepted. Right guard Max Jean-Gilles was too slow sliding over to pick up a stunting DeMarcus Ware on a third-and-8 blitz on the play.
--Linebacker Chris Gocong, who didn’t play a single down on defense in the previous three games, was inserted early in the game and registered his second sack of the season on the Cowboys’ second possession.
--The intentional grounding penalty on McNabb late in the first-quarter. He had time to throw the ball away, but hung on to it too long.
--Gocong’s big tackle on Patrick Crayton’s second punt return late in the first quarter. Crayton picked up 11 yards. If Gocong didn’t trip him up, he would’ve gained much more than that.
--Eagles had the ball for just 3 minutes, 16 seconds in the first quarter. They started their 2 possessions at their own 10 and their own 5. Started beyond their own 25 just once in 14 possessions.
--Eagles had to waste a timeout with 9 minutes left in the second quarter because they only had 9 defenders on the field after Jason Witten’s 18-yard catch gave the Cowboys a first-and-goal at the 1.
--The Cowboys converted a third-and-9 (18-yard pass to Patrick Crayton) and a third-and-7 (17-yard pass to Roy Williams) on their second scoring drive and a third-and-10 on their third scoring drive (17-yard pass to Williams). They also converted a third-and-8 (12-yard pass to Miles Austin) on their first touchdown drive.
--Maclin replaced Macho Harris as the kickoff returner after he injured his knee on a return early in the second quarter.
--The Eagles’ continuing problems trying to defend wide-receiver screens. Their third touchdown of the game – a 6-yard pass to Miles Austin – came on a wide-receiver screen. Like many of the other ones, they threw it to Asante Samuel’s side. Tight end John Phillips blocked Will Witherspoon on the play, and Samuel, who refuses to press receivers, took himself out of the play.
--The unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Samuel that helped the Cowboys get close enough for a 48-yard Shaun Suisham field goal at the end of the first half.
--The 3 false-start penalties by the Eagles in the third quarter (2 by Jason Peters, 1 by Todd Herremans). The Eagles have had 8 false-start penalties in the 11 quarters since center Jamaal Jackson got hurt.
--McNabb’s 15-yard completion to Maclin on third-and-11 in the third quarter was only the Eagles second conversion of a third down of 10 yards or more in their last 4 games.
--Strongside linebacker Moise Fokou got sucked inside on Felix Jones’ 73-yard touchdown run.
--Brian Westbrook didn’t enter the game in the second half until there was 5:22 left. He didn’t have a single rushing attempt in the game.
By the Numbers
--The Eagles were outscored by the Cowboys in the first half, 44-7, the last 2 weeks. In their first 15 games this season, they outscored their opponents in the first two quarters, 273-142.
--The Eagles led the league in drives that started in their opponents’ territory this season (29). In their 3 games against the Cowboys, they had 1.
--In 3 games against the Cowboys, DeSean Jackson had just 8 receptions for 90 yards and 1 touchdown.
--In the last 10 quarters, Donovan McNabb completed just 44 of 89 passes (49.4). He had a sub-70 passer rating in 3 of his last 4 starts.
--McNabb has completed 60-plus percent of his passes in just 1 of his last 14 games against the Cowboys.
--The Eagles lost 3 fumbles Saturday after losing just 10 in their 16 regular-season games.
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To read Domo's Report Card, click here.
To read Les Bowen's wrapup, click here.
Comment removed.
You think draft. What else can you do?— stink-gull- By the numbers... The Cowboys beat the Eagles 3 times this season. Cowboys lead series 56 - 44. Cowboys have made the play-offs 30 times and the Eagles have made it 18. The Cowboys have played in 8 Superbowls, the Eagles 2 The Cowboys have won 5 Superbowls, the Eagles 0. This isn't a rivalry, it's a joke. Come back when you finally have a team. See you later doormat!— phillyisajoke
- Is there anybody not surprised the Eagles played so bad?— Disco Dave
- to phillyisajoke.. there are many people who aren't old like you and live in the past... your FIRST playoff win is what 14 Years? 1996 to 2010... Oh yeah 44-6 was too the EAGLES!! See I only went back One Year! Eagles beat Packers, 1960...when football was football not a pansy, don't hit me game, and before Stupor Bowl Greedy Owners ( like Dullazz #1 Greedbag $60 for a pizza?). Go Phillies.. oops does DullAzz have a Baseball Team?— lensinilas
- Look at the bright side. The Birds lost by 24 last week but only 20 last night. At that rate they should edge the Cowboys in the first meeting of the 2014 season. Could be sooner if they get some guys who want to tackle and a defensive coordinator who doesn't need on the job training.— time4andytogo
- how bout them flyers? yep thats the game i watched last night. i don't have esp but i knew after last week we were out of the playoffs. couldn't even bear to watch the eagles last night. love em always have but last night i refused to watch that train wreck.— poorcarole
- Hey 'phillyisajoke'...enjoy your one-and-done win, 'cause this is as far as y'all redneck idiots are goin'...— ELM
- Comment removed.
- What's left to do? Root like hell for the Vikings. Start thinking and talking about what we're going to do to improve that defense. As for the offense, we need to talk about the play-calling.— Danfelf
- This was no surprise. Dallas dominated the Eagles, everywhere! Time to use some draft picks and build up the offensive line. Too many holes and unpredictables. We need need some solid linemen. As for McNabb, the clock is ticking on his career and unfortunately he is rapidly winding down.— dmatt
Banner's leadership and Lurie's lack of caused this spiral downhill. Starting with not paying market to the heart and soul of the team who has outplayed every contract he ever signed including the current. It continued with throwing 100 mil plus to the Andrews Sisters and their collage roommate Peters. JJ's rolling over in his grave. Classless, weasel carpetbaggers........— Earl J- Look on the bright side. At least all you Eagles fans can cheer for the Cowboys now. NFC East! NFC East! NFC East!— CowboyInPhilly
- In answer to Disco Dave, yeah I'm surprised Philly played so bad. Not surprised Dallas won, or played so well. Philly got its 11 wins by beating the teams it was supposed to beat, and never looked like a top eight team. Still, it was a mistake-filled effort. Playcalling didn't seem to make use of things the Giants did to the Cowboys. Don't imagine Brad Childress will make the same mistake.— tacklinjoe
- Time to let McNabb go. Lets see what Kolb can do. I would love to see Westbrook get a chance to be the featured back next year. Stewart Bradley will be back. Hopefully, The Andrews sisters will be motivated and healthy. The Eagles need to address the right DE, safety, outside LB positions in the offseason. Oh, and they need a center, since Jackson will not be able to be counted on next year (see Stacy Andrews on how you recover from an ACL at the end of the year). And this offseason will be executed without the help of Heckert. It should be interesting.— arrowamy
