The Eagles' 20-7 Dallas Victory Doesn't Put A Shine On Lost Season
By Joseph Santoliquito
DALLAS (CBS)— Now it's over. Mathematically speaking. It didn't matter whether or not the Eagles beat the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday at Cowboys Stadium.
The game became feckless about halfway through the first quarter, when the New York Giants victory over the New York Jets was final, eliminating the Eagles from any chance of making their impossible four-game parlay from happening.
So window dressing was applied to what has been a miserable season of lost opportunities in the Eagles' 20-7 victory over the Cowboys, who will be playing for something next week when they visit the New York Giants for the NFC East title and a playoff berth.
Meanwhile, the enigmatic Eagles will play for nothing. Sure, players can apply some padding to record-breaking seasons for contract time, while others will be playing for jobs. That's all that's left for the 2011 Birds next Sunday when they host the Washington Redskins. The Eagles can close with a four-game winning streak to finish 8-8—still yet, a game that was rendered meaningless by the Giants' victory, giving anyone having a little too much New Year's Eve cheer an excuse to sleep in.
The same might be said about these Eagles. Way before anything was put on the sorry, insecure shoulders of New York Jets' quarterback Mark Sanchez and the hopes that he might somehow outduel the Giants' Eli Manning, the Eagles could easily look back on the five blown fourth-quarter leads to the Falcons, 49ers, Giants, Bears and Cardinals in their eight losses as to why they're not playing into January.
It didn't matter Sunday because the Eagles could look at—though they will try and ignore—the dubious NFL distinction of four blown fourth-quarter leads at home that set a new NFL standard. Or a fourth-quarter defense that was among the worst in the NFL, before the Dallas game, yielding 100.6 yards per game in the fourth quarter, which ranked them 26th in the NFL.
The point is, when it mattered the Eagles placed themselves in these dire circumstances. No doubt many across the Delaware Valley were angry when the Eagles-Cowboys game interrupted the more meaningful Giants-Jets game. But the Eagles were well aware of what was happening.
"I appreciate my team's effort," Eagles' coach Andy Reid said. "That's a tough situation and a couple of lessons that can be learned, number one, don't put it in someone else's hands to get yourself into the playoffs; number two, they focused in on the Dallas Cowboys and that was the most important thing. You have to take care of business early. We're coming together as a team now, but not proud of the guys doing it now. As a head coach, I have to make sure I get that part done sooner than later. Guys are playing good, aggressive football.
"I don't know if we're necessarily a team people want to see get in the playoffs, we're playing that type of football. I'm going to enjoy this one for a little bit. This game means a lot to the players, as well as next week's competition against the Washington Redskins. I think all of the guys have confidence in each other and they're playing good football. The reality is we didn't make the playoffs. We have one game left and the season isn't over. We're going to keep on playing."
The real waste is the amazing performance of Eagles' tailback LeSean McCoy, who left the Dallas game late in the third quarter limping off the field with an injured left ankle. McCoy was carted off the field early in the fourth quarter and later returned with 10:28 left in the game. Eagles' safety Kurt Coleman was lost earlier with a strained biceps injury.
After three quarters against the Cowboys and Dallas back-up quarterback Stephen McGee, the Eagles had amassed 352 totals yards of offense to the Cowboys' 151 yards. The Eagles had six plays of 20 yards or more, with 19 first downs to the Cowboys' 10. Michael Vick played well, completing 18 of 32 passes for 293 yards passing and two touchdowns.
Vick seemed somewhat irritated that he wouldn't be continuing after next week. But he stands by this team.
"If we got into the playoffs, we would have done some damage," Vick said. "We're happy that we're finishing strong. I've watched this offense and defense gel. You see a totally different football team. We'll see what happens as this team moves forward. We had a lot of new guys and a new system; a new coach on defense [Juan Castillo] and new players. You might not believe me, because some of you guys aren't in that locker room. But I've been around a lot of teams and I know what it takes to win football games. I know what type of team and what type of personality and character that you have to have. We just lacked that early. It's the truth. I wouldn't sit here and say something at this podium that I didn't believe in and didn't know. I'm just happy that we won the game today."
Eagles' rookie kicker Alex Henery has booted 14-straight field goals, including a season-long 51-yarder in the Dallas victory. But again, more window dressing, since it was Henery's two missed fourth-quarter field goals could have spelled an Eagles' victory over Arizona—and control of their own playoff chances. Meanwhile, former Eagles' kicker David Akers set an NFL record for most field goals in one season with his 41st field goal this season playing for his new team, the playoff-bound San Francisco 49ers.
The Eagles' defense has been very strong in three successive games, beating Miami quarterbacks Matt Moore and J.P. Losman, then squelching the erratic Sanchez last week and stifling Dallas backup Stephen McGee, replacing Cowboys' starter Tony Romo who was pulled after the Cowboys' first possession with a bruised right hand. The Eagles could take some solace in sweeping the Cowboys and outscoring them 54-14 this season. The last time the Eagles swept Dallas was in 2006.
Though again, it amounts to more picture-window scenery that looks good outside, but dusty and faded on the inside in what's been a hollow season.
Birds Seeds
Andy Reid won his 135th career game, passing Weeb Ewbank for the 23rd on the NFL's all-time list (including playoffs). He improved his career December record to 38-15 (.717) … The Eagles swept the Cowboys for the first time since 2006 … Andy Reid is 26-12 against NFC East teams the second time he faces them in a season (9-4 against the Cowboys, 2-0 this season) … The Eagles outscored the Cowboys 54-14 this season, their largest margin of victory over the Dallas since outscoring them by 55 points in 2002 … Since 1999, the Eagles are 48-3 when allowing 10 or fewer points … DE Trent Cole picked up his 10th sack of the season, and has now reached double digits in each of the last three seasons and four times in the last five … The only player with more double-digit sack seasons in an Eagles uniform was Reggie White (8 times) … The last time the Eagles defense featured two players with 10-plus sacks was in 1995 (William Fuller – 13, Andy Harmon – 11) … Only one duo in team history has combined for more sacks than Cole (10) and DE Jason Babin(18) this season. Clyde Simmons (19) and Reggie White (14) combined for 33 in 1992 … In their last three games (all wins), the Eagles defense has held opponents to 36 points, 683 total net yards, 12-45 (26.7%) on third down and 1-6 on fourth down. Their 16 sacks are their highest three-game total since also posting 16 in the first three games of the 2006 season … According to Pro Football Reference, the Eagles have shut the Cowboys out eight times in the first half of a game. This season was their first time doing so twice in the same year … The Eagles have totaled 99 points and 1,301 total net yards in three games against Rex and Rob Ryan this year, while converting 17 of 35 third downs … QB Michael Vick'sthree top performances this season have come against the Ryan-coached defenses, throwing for a combined 846 yards on 54 of 82 with five touchdowns and a 115.2 rating … The Eagles scored their third opening-drive touchdown of the season. Under Reid, the Eagles are 55-14 when scoring on their opening drive … TE Brent Celek has a touchdown reception in each of the last two games… WR Jeremy Maclin has 12 career red zone scores after hauling in a five yarder from Vick at the end of the first half … Vick threw for 293 yards and two touchdowns for a 107.9 passer rating, his second best of the season, and his fourth time eclipsing 100 … K Alex Henery has connected on 14 consecutive field goal attempts, which is the fifth-longest streak in team history after going 2-2 on the day, including a career-long 51 yarder. Henery is 22-25 on the season (88.0%), which is the second-highest percentage in team history behind David Akers' 88.2% (30-34) in 2002 … Henery has 108 points this season, which is the second-most ever by an Eagles rookie kicker behind Paul McFadden's 116 in 1984.
