
In a prime time game against the hated Cowboys, the Birds were on the biggest stage of the season so far on Sunday night fighting for first place on the NFC East. So of course, it's only natural that the Eagles would fall flat on their faces.
In what was dubbed as the game of the week, neither team showed hardly any firepower through the first two quarters. On Dallas' second drive - following an interception on a tipped ball by Jeremy Maclin - the Cowboys had a short field and were able to throw easily. Tashard Choice finally sneaked into the endzone though on a two yard run to give Dallas the early lead. The Eagles however took until the second quarter to put points on the board. Twelve seconds in and again at the seven-minute mark David Akers kicked two field goals to pull within one, but it was negated when right before the half Cowboys kicker Nick Folk hit a 22-yarder. The two teams went into the locker room after one crappy half of football, 10-6.
Last year when the Eagles embarrassed the Cowboys 44-6 Donovan McNabb had no pressure on him, and it was apparent as he threw with ease through ought. Unfortunately for Philly though Dallas fixed that problem last night... and it showed. When he had the time, McNabb was 13-22 with 178 yards and a touchdown. But when he was pressured, he was only 3-8 for 49 yards and two picks. This trend continued for Donovan through halftime and as a result, continued to struggle.
Following an impressive Eagles drive - which included a 45-yard screen to rookie LeSean McCoy coupled with a Brent Celek score - Philadelphia was able to play solid defense for the entire quarter and go into the 4th with the lead. But the Cowboys answered right back as Folk kicked another field goal to tie it early on in the final period. From here on out though it was all downhill for the Birds.
On the ensuing Eagles drive, they were stopped at their own 45 and went for it on 4th & 1 but were held ACCORDING TO the referees. NOW, I'm not zebra myself, but after having watched that replay 40,000 TIMES (thanks, NBC!) any asshole can tell that McNabb on the QB sneak slid down an opposing player and was over the yellow line by a good foot... what the hell were they looking at? I'll never know. After the missed call, the Cowboys took over and beat the Philly defense into the ground ultimately scoring the game-winning touchdown on a 49-yard pass to Baraka from Mortal Combat, UH, I mean Miles Austin. David Akers tacked on another three points but the Birds would never recover as they ended up losing, 20-16.
This team is mind-numbingly inconsistent. One week they throttle the Giants, and another they struggle to put up nine points against the Raiders! If they want ANY chance of making it to the playoffs, they have to wake the hell up and play the same against every team. Playing up to the skill of your opponent only works when they suck.
It sucks that the Eagles couldn't get this game, because now the easy part of the schedule is over. Next week they go TO San Diego, then to Chicago (where they ALWAYS struggle) and then the division carousel starts all over again as they face the 'Skins. These could be good weeks or bad ones coming up, fans. Buckle up. Now we find out now good this team really is.