Post-game
So Dallas pass a major gut check by managing to recover from blowing a 21-point lead, on the road, in wrestling back control of the NFC East. They are able to win without Murray running for 100 yards, which will help their offense gain confidence. Dez Bryant needs none of that, catching three TD passes from Tony Romo, who is working to turn around his reputation of late-season chokes.
It’s a tough loss for Philly who were hosting Penna’s biggest party not so long ago after storming back into this game, only to see the visitors stare down the demons of their past.
That’s all for our live NFL coverage - thanks for reading, and wherever you are, good morning, good afternoon and good night.
Cowboys 38-27 Eagles, final
Victory formation - victory to Dallas, on the road in a rough environment. It’s a huge win for Jason Garrett here.
INTERCEPTION! Cowboys 38-27 Eagles 1:50, 4th quarter
Sanchez drops back, fakes, and throws straight into the hands of a linebacker, Bruce Carter, whose pick puts this game in the books.
Cowboys 38-27 Eagles 1:57, 4th quarter
Sproles drops the punt but is able to scoop it up - the Eagles start at their 24.
Sanchez fires and finds Cooper ,who is streaking on a slant for a gain of about 15.
As we hit the warning, Philly need some serious late-game heroics to get back in this thing.
Cowboys 38-27 Eagles 2:15, 4th quarter
Romo feeds Dunbar on a draw play - he gets two yards, forcing Dallas to punt. This is fine with the Cowboys who are happy to watch time tick away.
Dallas call for time as the play clock runs down.
Cowboys 38-27 Eagles 3:05, 4th quarter
Murray is bottled up once more, and Philly use their third and final timeout. It’s 3rd & 10 from the Dallas 40.
Cowboys 38-27 Eagles 3:12, 4th quarter
Murray and the Cowboys are in running out the clock mode. He’s burned some clock but has no yards to show for it.
Philly call for time, they have one remaining.
Updated
Cowboys 38-27 Eagles 3:17, 4th quarter
Sanchez is sacked at the 26! Crawford and Mincey converge on the former Jet and it’s a big 3rd & 14 coming up.
SANCHEZ IS SACKED AGAIN BACK AT THE 13! Mincey came back for more!
The Eagles have to kick it away to Jones, who calls for a fair catch at the Cowboys 41.
Cowboys 38-27 Eagles 4:31, 4th quarter
Maclin, a sideline catch for nine yards and out of bounds.
Sanchez, feeling pressure, a series of fakes before an incomplete pass towards Cooper. Two members of the Cowboys secondary are shaken up on the play - Barry Church and Sterling Moore. Injury timeout.
It’s 2nd & 10 from the Philly 30.
FIELD GOAL! Cowboys 38-27 Eagles 4:37, 4th quarter
It’s good! Dallas make it a two score game after Bailey hits a key field goal.
Does this mean Philly run a hurry up, hurry up offense?
Cowboys 35-27 Eagles 4:47, 4th quarter
Romo, in the shotgun, feels pressure, and it’s a shovel pass to Witten who gets four yards. That means Bailey comes out for a 48-yard attempt, a very important kick coming right up.
Cowboys 35-27 Eagles 5:29, 4th quarter
Romo has to throw it away on second down, and to make it worse, Murray is burned for holding. Now Dallas are on the boarder of field goal range at the 35.
Romo is incomplete, which means it’s 3rd & 24...
Cowboys 35-27 Eagles, 6:29, 4th quarter
Bryant is wide open, and I mean wide. He’s over 100 yards on the night now after a 15-yard reception.
PLAY UNDER REVIEW! Cowboys 35-27 Eagles, 7:29, 4th quarter
The refs say it’s a fumble! Celek lost the ball while he was on top of a Cowboys player!
Dallas take over on the Philly 34 in what is a enormous call reversal!
PLAY UNDER REVIEW! Cowboys 35-27 Eagles, 7:29, 4th quarter
McCoy, to his left, a cut right and away for a gain of seven. Then he’s got it again for a first-down...until a holding flag on the center Jason Kelce.
Now they have the first down - Sanchez finds Celek in the middle of the field for a gain of 14 up to the Philadelphia 34 - but the ball is loose!
Was Celek down? It’s hard to tell, maybe too hard to actually overrule the call. That hasn’t stopped Garrett from throwing the red challenge flag as this play goes under review...
Cowboys 35-27 Eagles, 8:33, 4th quarter
Murray has it, running up the gut - he may be short! He’s hit and pushed back and Philly have made a tremendous stop!
Dallas punt to the 23 where Sproles calls for a fair catch.
Cowboys 35-27 Eagles, 9:31, 4th quarter
Dallas begin from the 20. Murray, pushes the pack for five.
Romo, from the shotgun, feeds Dunbar - it’s a four-yard gain.
It’s 3rd & 1. A big 3rd & 1.
FIELD GOAL! Cowboys 35-27 Eagles, 10:45, 4th quarter
Parkey kicks a 43-yard field goal and the Eagles are within a touchdown and a two-point conversion of tying this game.
Big sequence for both teams coming right up...
Cowboys 35-24 Eagles, 11:25, 4th quarter
Philly call a timeout after Sanchez misses while looking for Celek.
It’s 3rd & 9, Sanchez has Ertz, but he’s short of a first down. So despite the big play by Huff, the Eagles have to kick a field goal.
Cowboys 35-24 Eagles, 11:50, 4th quarter
Now Sanchez, finds Huff who has room! It’s a 44-yard catch-and run for Huff, and thanks to a penalty on the Cowboys sideline, it turns into a 59-yard haul.
Can Philly turn this around, again?
Cowboys 35-24 Eagles, 12:30, 4th quarter
So three TD’s for Bryant, who also has 99 yards.
Now Sanchez and the Eagles have work to do...and he is sacked during an ugly sequence during which he loses his balance.
Nasty stuff. It’s a loss of 11.
Updated
TOUCHDOWN! Cowboys 35-24 Eagles, 12:48, 4th quarter
Murray is starting to heat up at precisely the wrong time for Philadelphia. A 14-yard run gives him 83 yards.
Now it’s 3rd & 7 after Murray has a three-yard catch.
Big down here...
Romo is in th shotgun. Blitz coming. Romo, throwing deep towards Bryant and he’s got it! Dez Bryant beats Bradley again down the near sideline!
It’s a Dallas explosion who have shown tremendous character in completely turning around what looked like a lost cause just moments ago!
Updated
INTERCEPTION! Cowboys 28-24 Eagles end of 3rd quarter
On 3rd & 7, Sanchez throws off the fingertips of Ertz and into the hands of J.J. Wilcox (via a bounce off his helmet), who manages to prevent the ball form hitting the ground.
So in a game of major momentum shifts, the latest tilts towards the Cowboys as the third quarter comes to a close.
Dallas begin the fourth on the Philly 42.
You have to admire the Cowboys for giving themselves a whole new lead to blow
— tommy tomlinson (@tommytomlinson) December 15, 2014
TOUCHDOWN! Cowboys 28-24 Eagles 0:39, 3rd quarter
How ‘bout them Cowboys!
Murray runs into the endzone with little trouble and Dallas have bounced back, regaining the lead in what has become a phenomenal contest. Great work by the Cowboys to re-establish their offense just as it seemed Philly were dictating terms with their defense.
That’s eight plays, 78 yards in 5:03.
Cowboys 21-24 Eagles 0:48, 3rd quarter
Romo has the time and flings it over the middle to a streaking Bryant who is down inside the five-yard line!
Enormous series here for Dallas who are standing tall while facing adversity.
Cowboys 21-24 Eagles 2:01, 3rd quarter
Here’s Murray who gets the blocks, finds the hole and runs left for 21 yards.
Dallas are moving, down at the Philly 25.
Cowboys 21-24 Eagles 3:42, 3rd quarter
Let’s see what kind of stones Dallas have - this is an enormous Cowboy drive coming up. Dez Bryant helps D pick up a first down after a 22-yard gain. Then Romo hits Witten for 11, but pays the price, hit as he throws, straight to the turf.
Still Dallas are across midfield as they bid to wrestle this game back from Philly.
This is really impressive in terms of a full team choke job.
— Jeff Cavanaugh MD (@JC1053) December 15, 2014
Gag, choke, it’s a mess. And Jerry has that nervous, shit-eating grin on.
TOUCHDOWN! Cowboys 21-24 Eagles 5:42, 3rd quarter
Holy crap - the Eagles are in front!
Sproles ran to his right and into the endzone!
That’s 24 unanswered points by Philadelphia, who cash in on the Romo fumble.
Yes, indeed it’s December in Dallas!
Cowboys 21-17 Eagles 6:31, 3rd quarter
A personal foul call on Dallas’ McClain means Philly are down to the four-yard line of the Cowboys!
Now they’re at the one after McCoy nearly got in on the far sideline - second and goal!
TURNOVER! Cowboys 21-17 Eagles 6:46, 3rd quarter
Romo is in the shotgun. Has time. Looks left, right, points, pump fakes and is sacked! The ball is loose! The Eagles have it! Cox recovered! Vinny Curry made the sack forcing the ball to the ground and this game has been turned completely on its head!
Eagles begin on the Dallas 14! Can you believe this?
Cowboys 21-17 Eagles 7:00, 3rd quarter
Murray is wrapped up for a loss of four! Malcom Jenkins grabbed his ankle, forcing him to the dirt!
Now Romo throws back to Williams - incomplete!
It’s 3rd & 19 and everybody is up in Philly!
Cowboys 21-17 Eagles 7:43, 3rd quarter
We need shots of Jerry Jones in the box, now! And Dallas need to settle this thing down, immediately. They start at their own 15.
Good start, tight end James Hannah momentarily hushes the crowd with a gain of 12.
Romo is then called for a flase start, so it’s 1st & 15 on the 22.
TOUCHDOWN! Cowboys 21-17 Eagles 8:48, 3rd quarter
Oh baby! It’s a four-point game after Polk reaches the endzone and Philadelphia have roared back into this ballgame!
Are the Cowboys melting down in December, again? Are they going to blow a 21-point lead?
Chip Kelly has his hurry up offense moving, and their defense has settled down, keeping the run in check as they did on Thanksgiving day.
Wowza!
PLAY UNDER REVIEW! Cowboys 21-10 Eagles 8:51, 3rd quarter
The call stands! Maclin was ruled to be down by contact at the one-yard line. It’s first and goal to go!
PLAY UNDER REVIEW! Cowboys 21-10 Eagles 8:51, 3rd quarter
It’s 3rd & 11 on the Philly 27 and Sanchez finds Jeremy Maclin on the near sideline and the Eagles wideout has room to roam! Maclin is printing down the sideline, and then towrds the middle of the field!
Then he fumbles inside the five! Or was he down? The officials rule he was down after a 72-yard catch and run play! Wow!
Garrett throws the red challenge flag and this huge play is under review.
Cowboys 21-10 Eagles 11:34, 3rd quarter
After Romo is tripped up for a loss, it’s third down and long.
Now there’s more pass interference on a player named Williams, but this time it’s Terrance who is guilty of shoving Clay downfield!
The offensive pass interference play forces a punt, and so the Eagles do survive the opening Dallas drive. They’ll start on their 14 after Sproles calls for a fair catch.
Cowboys 21-10 Eagles 11:50, 3rd quarter
Back-to-back runs from Murray yield just four yards and it’s 3rd & 6.
Romo in the shotgun - people are moving, flags are flying. Terrance Williams is offsides and that means it’s now 3rd & 11.
Sloppy.
The response?
Romo, in the shotgun, has time, unloads way down field - incomplete but we have more flags!
It’s pass interference on Cary Williams, who is having a nightmare, flagged again for harrasing Terrance Williams! That sets up Dallas on the Philly 43.
Bad bad bad.
...and we're back
Dallas start at their own 20.
Stats
Well, Dallas came out, mad the most of an early break and just took it to Philly, who were helpless in going down 21-0. Then, suddenly, we were reminded of the Eagles team that’s won nine games thus far in 2014, as they made some progress in establishing their offensive game, while controlling Murray, Romo and co. in the latter stages of the second quarter.
Murray has 47 yards on 14 carries and has yet to break away. Romo is 14/20 for 151 yards and a pair of TD passes, both of which were to Bryant, whose only two receptions were in the endzone. Otherwise, Beasley and Witten have combined for nine catches and 96 yards.
Sanchez is 10/15 for 84 yards to six Eagles receivers. McCoy has rushed for a quiet 41 yards.
Cowboys 21-10 Eagles end of 2nd quarter
Romo runs with the ball to the near sideline and throws towards Witten incomplete. There’s another flag on the turf - Romo threw past the line of scrimmage and Dallas has to punt it away, which ends the half.
It’s one that’s extremely mixed to say the least.
Cowboys 21-10 Eagles 0:15, 2nd quarter
Romo runs to his right and has Witten on the sideline - he’s out of bounds after a gain of three. Then Beasley has a catch over the middle - it burns clock and there’s a flag. Free is holding for the Cowboys, and that will push them back ten yards.
Then Romo throws deep but out of bounds - nobody was open. Dallas still have that one timeout. It’s 3rd & 17 now...
Cowboys 21-10 Eagles 0:39, 2nd quarter
Now it’s Dallas in the hurry up - a Dunbar run for seven, a catch to Williams for 11....Beasley has a catch and gets out of bounds on the near sideline. It’s a six-yard catch up to their own 47.
Updated
FIELD GOAL! Cowboys 21-10 Eagles 1:43, 2nd quarter
It is up and it is ugly...but it is good also.
Very nice response by Philly to pull within 11 after a rancid start.
Best not to give anything away between now and halftime.
Dallas begin on their own 11 - they have just one timeout to work with.
Cowboys 21-7 Eagles 1:53, 2nd quarter
Sanchez, buying time, rolling right and...he throws it away. That was a wild play from the former Jet.
Now, here comes the field goal unit - it’s a 47-yard attempt from Cody Parkey.
Cowboys 21-7 Eagles 2:00, 2nd quarter
Jordan Matthews is open with Sanchez running to his right - but he drops it. The rookie must make that would-be first down catch!
Now a screen play that Dallas have a nose for - Sproles is tackled for a loss of three yards as we hit the warning.
When we return it’s 3rd & 13 on the Dallas 29.
Cowboys 21-7 Eagles 2:50, 2nd quarter
Zach Ertz - a jumping Zach Ertz! He leaps over the dive of Scandrick for a first down catch over near the far sideline!
Now McCoy has it, and he’s across midfield after a seven-yard run. Then he scoots out of trouble, running wide and turning the corner for a short, first down run.
Philly down to the Dallas 37 and on the move.
Cowboys 21-7 Eagles 4:46, 2nd quarter
Romo is sacked! Barwin gets his mitts on the Dallas QB and he now has 14.5 sacks this season.
Momentum shift? It was sure hard to imagine moments ago...
Philly will start at their own 28 after a 29 yard punt from Jones.
Cowboys 21-7 Eagles 5:29, 2nd quarter
Now the crowd are beginning to get behind their men, but are frustrated by a first down catch by Witten, who is all over the place tonight. It’s a gain of nine.
Murray is buying time in the backfield, looking for some space and is able to make something out of nothing for a gain of four.
Lance Dunbar takes the next handoff, he’s close to a first down after a late spin move gets him to within a yard.
Big 3rd & 1 coming up...and Dallas burn their second timeout.
TOUCHDOWN! Cowboys 21-7 Eagles 8:32, 2nd quarter
Wow! There’s life in Philadelphia! Chris Polk bullies through the Dallas defensive line and into the endzone.
Suddenly, there’s hope we may get the tight game we anticipated. Let’s see what Dallas come back with.
It’s an 11-play, 84-yard drive in a speedy 3:24 if you are keeping score at home.
Cowboys 21-0 Eagles 8:36, 2nd quarter
Huff is wide open and Sanchez can’t find him on another ugly ball. The Eagles QB looks better on 3rd & 7 - Celek, down the seam, a first down catch that puts them into Dallas territory for the first time tonight.
Now Orlando Scandrick says he’s hurt as NBC TV here in the US speculates that he’s faking an injury to stop the Philly momentum.
And they are moving. McCoy, a run up the middle before the RB gets stuffed on the next play, which happens quickly as Philly rush the ball to the line of scrimmage.
There’s offsetting penalties that set up a 3rd & 2, one Philly need badly and get! Zach Ertz, the tight end has it in the middle of the field for a first down! There’s a Dallas penalty to boot. It’s 1st & goal!
Cowboys 21-0 Eagles 10:56, 2nd quarter
Remember the Eagles offense? Yes, they do have one. Maybe they’ll stay on the field for a bit and give their defense a bit of a breather.
Here’s progress - a five yard gain after Sanchez hits Brent Celek. His next throw is incomplete towards the near sideline so it’s 3rd & 5.
In the shotgun, Sanchez finds Darren Sproles for, and get this, a first down!
True story - Sproles made the catch near the far sideline.
Ok, I called Cowboys win but I did not foresee this. Dez putting on a mother bleeping clinic.
— Jennifer Floyd Engel (@engeljen) December 15, 2014
Anyone care to speculate on the missing word? Really, playing Bryant one-on-one isn’t the best idea in the world now is it.
TOUCHDOWN! Cowboys 21-0 Eagles 11:56, 2nd quarter
Romo is flinging it down field - Bryant is open in the corner of the endzone! It’s a 26-yard TD throw and Dallas are completely destroying Philly in every single aspect of this game right now, on the road nonetheless...
Cowboys 14-0 Eagles 12:01, 2nd quarter
An offensive holding call is the only thing that has stopped Dallas on this drive so far. Beasley again now, this time it’s a screen and a gain of 10.
Big 3rd & 5 from the 25. Flags fly before the snap. It’s a false start by Tyron Smith.
So now it’s 3rd & 10 (good math there)...Romo, in the shotgun, he steps up in the pocket but there’s nowhere to go! He’s sacked Fletcher Cox.
But guess what. There’s a flag. Illegal contact, again by Williams, who was harassing Bryant again. So instead of a fourth and super long, that’s an automatic first down for Dallas.
An Eagles horror-show - the ball is on the Philly 26.
Dallas burn their first timeout after Murray is hit for a loss of one...
Cowboys 14-0 Eagles, end of 1st quarter
There’s that pesky Beasley again, finding room, making a nifty little cut before the catch to get open in the slot. It’s a 13-yard gain down to the Eagles 44.
Then Romo throws it away and the crowd are looking for an intentional grounding call. They don’t get it, and they’re grumpy as they tend to do down in the City of Brotherly Love when things don’t go their way.
Now Randle - that’s Randle Joseph with room to roam! He’s got a mighty head of steam, gobbling up more field as Dallas look to blow this thing wide open! It’s a gain of 14 to the Eagles 30 and that’s how this quarter ends, one that was totally dominated by Dallas.
They held the ball a few ticks under 12 minutes!
Cowboys 14-0 Eagles 1:38, 1st quarter
Yeah, well, that’s not the sort of response we were looking for. The Eagles are three and out, again, after Sanchez is sacked by Jeremy Mincey! It’s just the Cowboys 20th sack of the season and it forces a punt.
Dallas will start from their own 39. Philly have had the ball for 2:52 while the Cowboys have held the pill for 10:30 and counting...
Cowboys 14-0 Eagles 3:00, 1st quarter
OK, OK. Now, let’s just see how Philly respond here, because they have to do something to stop the bleeding.
A first down would be a good place to start. Philly begin at their own 20.
TOUCHDOWN! Cowboys 14-0 Eagles 3:04, 1st quarter
Romo throws a jump ball towards Bryant and he skies over Fletcher to make the TD catch! What a start by Dallas who march 88 yards on 16 plays in 8:16!
There’s just three minutes left in the first quarter and the Eagles are down 14 and have had three lousy plays from scrimmage. This is much different than Thanksgiving, it kinda goes without saying.
Cowboys 7-0 Eagles 3:21, 1st quarter
It’s Cole Beasley’s turn to get in on it - he’s got a first down catch down at the seven.
First and goal, Murray running....and now he’s not. Fletcher Cox nails him for a two-yard loss.
Dallas have their second shot - Romo has time, but has to throw it out of the endzone.
Big third down coming up here...
But wait, hang on - there’s a late flag! Williams shoved Bryant out of the endzone and that’s illegal contact and an automatic first down for Dallas...not to mention a major bummer for Philly.
Cowboys 7-0 Eagles 5:13, 1st quarter
Romo screams “kill kill kill”, and apparently that means a handoff to Murray, who barrels down to the 23 after a seven-yard jog.
Still, they’re three yards short, and that means Witten time of course. This time, he’s on the sideline - three catches, three first downs for Witten on this drive.
Not bad.
Dallas are methodical on this march in search of more pay-dirt. Bid D are on the Eagles 14.
Cowboys 7-0 Eagles 7:10, 1st quarter
Cary Williams nearly picks off Romo as he batts down a ball that was seeking out Dez Bryant. Murray has a bit of space to his left, it’s a five yard gain, setting up yet another big third down play.
And it’s Witten again! Romo had time, way too much and Romo has a 17-yard gain, across midfield to the Philly 42.
Here’s Murray again, and this time he gets his wheels going - a nine-yard gain, the biggest of the night thus far. Cowboys on the move...
Updated
Cowboys 7-0 Eagles 9:50, 1st quarter
Murray - wrapped up after a three yard run to his right.
Romo, in the shotgun - fakes a handoff, and then throws it away to the near sideline.
Now it’s 3rd & 7, and the Eagles crowd at Lincoln Financial Field is starting to wake up a bit after being punched in the head.
Then they get punched in the head, again. Jason Witten is open, over the middle - that’s a first down and a gain of 21 yards up to the 36.
Cowboys 7-0 Eagles 11:20, 1st quarter
The Eagles and their rapid-fire offense are guilty of a false start one play after Riley Cooper took a short pass for no gain.
LeSean McCoy runs right for three yards, and then on 3rd & 12, Mark Sanchez throws a horrid ball in the direction of McCoy.
I mean, I could’ve done that. Gross.
There is some good news though - the Philly punt off the boot of Donnie Jones is fantastic, with a magical bounce that lands down at the Dallas 12.
Cowboys 7-0 Eagles 12:42, 1st quarter
The kick from Bailey finds the grass yet again, but this time Huff is able to scoop it up and make a 13-yard return. THey begin on their 22.
TOUCHDOWN! Cowboys 7-0 Eagles 12:46, 1st quarter
Murray bounces off his own fullback, Cole Beasley before strolling into the endzone. It’s an easy 18-yard touchdown drive that comes courtesy of a mistake from the Eagles, normally reliable special teams. Talk about taking the air out of the balloon in Philly...
Cowboys 0-0 Eagles 12:58, 1st quarter
So here comes Dallas who begin on the Eagles 19-yard line. Romo roles right on the first play from scrimmage and just chucks it to the far sideline with all his men covered downfield. Then a four yard run on a Murray run.
Now it’s 3rd & 6
Terrance Williams, running a crossing route, is the recipient of a perfect pass from Romo, it’s a first down, and sets up first & goal from the six.
Then Murray carries the pack five yards - no messing around there, that was all, down your throat power.
Updated
Kickoff!
The ball blows off the tee, on a night where the wind is allegedly gusting at 3MPH.
Second time is a charm, Dan Bailey kicks to Philly and the ball bounces! It’s loose, rolling around the turf and it looks like CJ Spillman has it...HE DOES! It’s a mistake from Josh Huff of the Eagles who failed to pick up the pigskin and the Cowboys make an instant impact on the very first play of the game!
How about that?
Updated
Jason Garrett pre-game grab
...It’s a different night, it’s a different team.
The Dallas head coach is right on at least one of those points.
Prediction
I wouldn’t be shocked if the Eagles found a way to bottle up Murray, again. The question is, what adjustments will Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett make to ensure there isn’t a repeat of that turkey day destruction in Dallas? Cowboys haters just love to watch Big D self destruct in December, and there sure is a decent chance of yet another meltdown.
Final score:
Eagles 27 Dallas 17
Updated
Smack talk
Cowboys all-pro wideout Dez Bryant is at it already, exchanging words with Eagles safety Malcom Jenkins on the field pre-game. Here’s a look.
If only we had a live mic...
Scores
Here are the classified football results for Sunday the 14th of December:
- Steelers 27-20 Flacons
- Giants 24-13 Washington
- Dolphins 13-41 Patriots
- Texans 10-17 Colts
- Jaguars 12-20 Ravens
- Packers 13-21 Bills
- Buccaneers 17-19 Panthers
- Bengals 30-0 Browns
- Jets 16-11 Titans
- Broncos 22-Chargers 10
- Vikings 14-16 Lions
- 49ers 7-17 Seahawks
Monday
- Saints v Bears
So, Johnny Manziel - life seems a bit tougher away from College Station, Texas. He gets buried by the Bengals in his first full debut, going 10-of-18 with 80 yards passing (seriously) and two interceptions.
It’s better in Buffalo, as a battle between the two smallest market teams in the NFL came out in favor of the home town Bills.
For more coverage on the day games, just click right here.
Preamble
The last time these two teams met up, it was almost as if the Cowboys had enjoyed their Thanksgiving dinner prior to the kickoff. Dallas were locked into a turkey day slumber for most of the 60 minutes, a game dominated by a Philadelphia Eagles team that flew into town and feasted on Cowboys. The 33-10 loss became the latest nationally televised embarrassment of Dallas owner, Jerry Jones.
Philly’s defensive line carved up the Cowboys, holding all-world running back DeMarcos Murray to just 73 yards, the only time he’d been kept under the century mark all season long. With Murray stymied, it was all on Romo and he responded with two picks.
The loss means it’s advantage Philly in the battle for the NFC East title, and if the Eagles should win at home today, Dallas’ road to the playoffs becomes almost impossible to navigate. That’s not necessarily the Cowboys fault - they’ve played well in 2014 and already have nine wins under their belt. It’s just that Seattle and Detroit have the tiebreakers right now. It’s not all bad news though - if they can pull off a win today, they’ll be back in the playoff picture and in control of their own destiny.
For that they can thank the Seahawks, who hammered QB Mark Sanchez and his offense in week 14. The Eagles generated a lousy 139 measly yards in the 24-14 loss, their lowest output since 2005.
So now there is pressure on the home team to win tonight as well, and that is why we’ve got ourselves the premiere match-up of the week. Who do you like? Let me know - send your predictions to @lengeldavid, or email them to david.lengel.freelance@theguardian.com.
Now go pop some corn and get ready for some football. Please stand by.
