As is often the case when rivals clash, fans of the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys were overjoyed with festive holiday spirits because their team won or they’re contemplating just what the “Black” in Black Friday really means because their team lost. Coming into this Thanksgiving matchup there was a lot of trash-talking as Eagles defensive tackle Bennie Logan expressed his cause for pause when showing praise upon the Dallas Cowboys’ offensive line.
"They’re OK," Logan told CSNPhilly. "Yeah, they’re OK. I don’t really know what’s great about them."
Logan wasn’t exactly talking about the Cowboys’ Moms wearing combat boots to church or anything like that, but his refusal to recognize the accomplishments of an offensive line that protected QB Tony Romo from at New York Giants pass rush for eight seconds on one play and nine seconds on another. Many prognosticators just knew there was going to be an undressing of sorts come Thursday night, and an undressing did in fact occur.
However, it wasn’t the Philadelphia Eagles left bare to the November elements at the end of the day as QB Mark Sanchez led the Eagles’ offense on to 80 plus yard drives that resulted in two touchdowns and field goal in their first three drives. Meanwhile, a rigid and consistent pass rush by the Philadelphia Eagles front four set the tone for the Cowboys’ offense ineptitude early on as touchdown late in the 1st quarter was the sum of Dallas’ offensive exploits for most of the game.
Veteran DE Fletcher Cox turned back the clock as he wreaked havoc on the once vaunted Cowboys offensive line to the tune of four tackles, two tackles for a loss and a sack. Linebackers Connor Barwin and Mychal Kendricks went above and beyond with multiple tackle performances as well. Dallas Cowboys’ RB DeMarco Murray was at one time considered MVP candidate of merit. But that didn’t mean much to Eagles defensive coordinator Bill Davis. His 3-4 defensive scheme seemed tailor-made for deep penetration into the Cowboy backfield and whenever Murray appeared as if he wanted to cut back or reverse field, the defensive line was in prime position to make a play. The Eagles defensive recorded four sacks and eight tackles for a loss. Meanwhile, Philly QB Mark Sanchez recorded his best numbers as an NFL quarterback in the first half as he recorded 202 yards and two touchdowns in the first quarter. His jersey would remain mostly unscathed throughout the game as the paltry Cowboys defense only was successful in recording only 1 sack the entire game.
Chip Kelly’s up-tempo offense kept its foot on the gas for the entire game, and the Cowboys defense just looked exhausted before the end of the first half. But LeSean McCoy shed not a single tear of sympathy as he carried the ball a season-high 25 carries for 159 yards and 1 touchdown. Jeremy Maclin maintained his reputation for being Mr. Reliable for Philly as he had eight catches for 108 yards. Meanwhile, Dallas Cowboy QB Tony Romo had one of his worse games this season.
He couldn’t even muster more than 200 yards passing and turned in two interceptions late in the game as well. The much-maligned Eagles secondary brought their grown man pants to this Thanksgiving Day contest as Dez Bryant, arguably the most physical wide receiver in the National Football League, was held to four catches, 73 yards and no touchdowns. When the smoke cleared, and all the trash-talking was said and done, the Philadelphia Eagles had stomped all over the Dallas Cowboys to the tune of 33-10.
Though QB Mark Sanchez’s mistake free game had a great deal to do with the win, it was the legs of McCoy and RB Chris Polk that powered the offensive attack of the Eagles. Once upon a time, the Dallas Cowboys were considered one of the best teams in the NFL, then the NFC, then they were looked upon as the pride of the NFC East. Now, as they prepare to face the Chicago Bears, Cowboys’ head coach Jason Garrett will have to plug the holes in his now completely exposed in week 15. The Philadelphia Eagles are soaring high with this wind, but they won’t have much time to bask in the glow of this glorious win with the Seattle Seahawks coming to town. The Dallas Cowboys will get a chance avenge this loss in two weeks as they travel to take on Philly at Lincoln Financial Field.
