Reid's challenges costly

Because last year the Eagles watched as a Giants challenge reversed a penalty that ruled New York quarterback Eli Manning had crossed the line of scrimmage before releasing a pass. The play was a crucial one in the Giants' victory.

This time, it was Cowboys coach Wade Phillips who tossed the red hankie, challenging McNabb's 11-yard touchdown pass to Celek.

The play was similar to Manning's throw because most of McNabb's body had indeed passed the line. But as that play a year ago showed, the quarterback's body must be completely over the line of scrimmage to be a foul.

Last night, McNabb's foot was still on that invisible line, as televisions replays illustrated. And the touchdown, which gave the Eagles a 13-6 lead, stood as called on the field.

Challenges played an important part in the Cowboys' 20-16 win last night at Lincoln Financial Field. The most pivotal one went against the Eagles.

With the score tied, 13-13, and 11 minutes, one second left in the game, the Eagles tried to convert a fourth-and-1 on the Dallas 45-yard line.

McNabb plunged ahead but officials spotted the ball short of a first down. Eagles coach Andy Reid chucked his red hankie for the second time in the game.

"I'm seeing it [on the sideline] and I'm getting feedback from upstairs," Reid said.

Replays were inconclusive, the spot remained the same, and Dallas took over on downs. Five plays later, Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo hooked up with Miles Austin for a 49-yard touchdown that put Dallas ahead, 20-13.

Earlier in the half, Reid had challenged another spot. On that occasion, McNabb completed a short pass to running back LeSean McCoy on a third-and-2. The officials marked the ball inches short of the first-down marker, but the Eagles felt that McCoy had possession beyond it. He did, but McCoy's own momentum - not that of linebacker Bradie James - drove the Eagles running back backward before he was touched and tackled.

Reid lost his gamble and the first of two timeouts he would lose to a challenge. The Eagles lined up on fourth down, but tackle Jason Peters was whistled for a false start and the Eagles punted.

Those tossed-away timeouts were costly.

"It's kind of hard to overturn a spot," Eagles receiver Jason Avant said. "Sometimes you get it, sometimes you don't. We didn't get it today."