What I saw: Eagles vs. Cowboys
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What I saw: Eagles vs. Cowboys
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
The Eagles' slim playoff chances were crushed in the first quarter of their game in Dallas as the Jets lost to the Giants.
But the Birds played the game anyway and beat the Cowboys, 20-7.
Here are my game observations:
OFFENSE
* Michael Vick got off to a hot start and finished 18-for-30 for 293 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Most of the damage was done in the first half, when Vick went 13-for-20 for 221 yards. Early on, he escaped pressure (and a face mask) and threw one up for grabs to Riley Cooper. Cooper did a good job of making a play on the ball and picked up 41 yards. Vick then threw a 13-yard strike to Brent Celek for the Eagles' first touchdown.
*DeSean Jackson had a good game, finishing as the team's leading receiver with five catches for 90 yards. Jeremy Maclin had five catches for 72 yards.
* After a second-quarter reception, Maclin was on the receiving hit of a late hit by Anthony Spencer. Rather than just putting a hand on Maclin, who was on the ground, Spencer came out of nowhere and delivered a big blow. Maclin left the game briefly, but then returned.
* Jason Avant thought he had a touchdown in the second, but he lost control of the ball as he crossed the goal line, and it was ruled a fumble and a touchback.
* Jackson had back-to-back end arounds in the second for 27 yards (total).
* Vick and the offense put together a nice two-minute drill at the end of the first half. Vick hit Maclin, Jackson and Avant for gains of 22, 33 and 27 yards, respectively. He then found Maclin for a 5-yard touchdown.
* Was it just me, or did Brent Celek look as fast as he's ever looked on that 39-yard tight end screen in the third? That play set up an Alex Henery field goal, which put the Eagles up, 17-0. Henery later hit a 51-yard field goal.
* LeSean McCoy limped off after a tough 8-yard run in the third quarter. He returned and finished with 36 yards on 12 carries.
* Clay Harbor somehow got matched up one-on-one with DeMarcus Ware, who slammed Vick to the ground for a sack in the third. Ware had both of the Cowboys' sacks.
DEFENSE
* Jason Babin put a hit on Tony Romo in the first that knocked him out of the game. Romo was diagnosed with a hand contusion. Get ready for a week full of reports about how he's healing. Next week's Giants-Cowboys game will decide the division.
* The Eagles were without Asante Samuel, but did a good job in coverage. And yes, it helped that Stephen McGee was at quarterback.
* Trent Cole dropped Sammy Morris for a 9-yard loss on 3rd-and-1 in the second quarter. Cole also had a sack in the third, his 10th of the season. Cole and Babin have combined for 28 sacks on the season. They are the first pair of Eagles to have double-digit sacks since William Fuller and Andy Harmon in 1993.
* On 3rd-and-2 in the third, Cullen Jenkins dropped Morris for a loss.
* Curtis Marsh was called for unnecessary roughness in the third for hitting a defenseless returner on a punt-coverage play. I didn't understand the call. Looked like he made a great play and had perfect timing.
* Nate Allen broke up a pass intended for Dez Bryant in the third and nearly came away with an interception.
* Good coverage by Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie on Laurent Robinson on a third down in the third.
* Juqua Parker threw Tyron Smith to the ground and sacked McGee to force a punt in the third quarter. Derek Landri added a sack in the fourth. And Philip Hunt hit McGee and forced an incompletion in the fourth.
* Brian Rolle had good coverage on Jason Witten in the fourth and nearly had an interception.
* The Eagles had a punt bloked for the second time in three weeks and also gave up a big kickoff return. Special teams have had several issues in the Eagles' last three.
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Poll: After missing the playoffs, what changes need to be made?
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NM. How is Lurie a cheapskate again?— CenterFielderGaryMaddox- I pretty much agree with EPC FAN & phillychaos. Remember the lock out and I believe this hurts because it didn't give the team much time getting new players to know each other. They got to know each other during the season and late in the season they improved but still shud have done a better job. I would give Julian Castillo another year cuz he's learned lot of rookie mistakes and made many good changes late in the season. As for Reid most of us know better than that that he has done helluva good job and went through bad season starting off bad early and changed better late in the season this year. Sh*t happens and Eagles ain't the only team who's having a bad season this year. I'd give the coaching staff one more year and also make small changes in off season finding more good players. We have many good on the team but just y know what I'm getting at. Thanks for reading & hope y share my opinion. Have a great Holidays & Merry Christmas.— LSCrazyMan58
- WE should give Andy one more year? Apparently someone isn't aware that ANDY makes all the football decisions so having NO SUPERBOWL rests squarely on his shoulders. We're been saying "one more year" for 13 years now with him. If you're a fan and watch the games, you're probably tired of all the same old mistakes and hard-headedness. I say so long to Andy, try your luck someplace else and let's move on. And I'll be happy with whoever comes in but if that person doesn't get us a SB in 8 years, tap-out and get another coach. It's been 51 years since our last Championship and now we're in the NO-SB club with the Falcons, Bills, Lions, Viks, Chargers, Bengals, Browns, Texans, Seahawks, Cards, Panthers, Jags & Titans! So sad that the 'Aints, Pat's and Buc's got theirs before we did.. oh yea, they won DURING THE ANDY ERA and beat ANDY to get theirs!!! Where is my paper bag? AArrgghhhh!— desjones
- This lock out excuse is getting a bit tired. Weren't the Niners locked out? They have a new head coach and staff. That said, we should have beaten said Niners and all this civic anger and frustration would have been avoided.— bobcitydoc
- How about those Cowgirls!!!!— dwilly
- @bobcitydoc....Dude! The main reason the Niners are doing so well is this: They finished SOOO poorly, for so many years (just like the Lions), that they drafted early for many years. That means they got high level talent for many years, and this combination of talented players put it all together for a GOOD Head Coach. They still need a QB, but their "D" just mashes their opposition; can't wait to see how they fare in the Dance. Under Andy though, our Iggles won for many years straight, so there was no influx of high-pick draft choices. Considering WHERE we have been drafting over the past 13 years, we haven't fared so poorly after all. Andy has maintained this team, for the most part, at a high level using HIS coaching philosophy. As tired as I am at SOME of it, let's give the man his due. I know he will be back next year so long as he WANTS to be back. I am in a quandry about Juan, but my inclination is to retain him.....because almost to a man, his players have been knocking their socks off for HIM too. But having said THAT, I think THIS: If this gang gets at least ONE good linebacker, and ONE GOOD safety, and Howard Mudd returns also, they should go to the Conference Championship game if V7 stays healthy. If NOT, it will be time to get rid of Andy, and his staff. Then get ready for about six or seven lousy years while they get some decent talent through the draft. OH!!......Before I forget: desjones: Yer an ijit.— TBear
- That's the kind of objective fairness one expects from a good sports writer and editor.— Odayman
- Wake up fans.....52 years and NO championship....the same excuses every year, and the wait until next year philosophy is keeping Laurie's pockets full......WAKE UP!— STEPHEN1988
- What I saw was: Joe Banner leaving the Eagles executive offices enroute to the bank, with four Brooks Guards surrounding him and a wheel barrel full of cash!— STEPHEN1988
- when are players going to stop stretching to reach end zone and lose ball into end zone? Carry it properly and you are on one yd line at worse.
— jrwute42 - I saw the Cowboys giving little or no effort as soon as they knew there season would be Sunday against the Giants. And with Romo injured, what did you expect? Let's not get carried with the Eagles play in the last three games. By the way I am an Eagles fan since the 1960 championship (I was there when "Chuck" satr on Jim Taylor on the Eagles 8 yard line when time ran out. Those players were not as big and fast as today's but were ALOT TOUGHER. Just my opinion— olddog
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