The Eagles' Good, Bad & Ugly
ARLINGTON, TX (CBS) — There were a lot of things to like, some to dislike and still not much to look forward to after the Eagles improved to 4-4 after a 33-27 overtime against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night at AT&T Stadium.
The Good
Linebacker Jordan Hicks' 67-yard pick-six with 12:47 left in the fourth quarter looked like it was going to place the Eagles in a position to win. Then the Cowboys' Lucky Whitehead returned the ensuing kickoff 79 yards—which led to Matt Cassel throwing up a moon ball that Dez Bryant pulled down for an 18-yard TD.
Receiver Jordan Matthews made 12 catches for 133 yards—including the game-winning score. The second-year receiver made a clutch 34-yard reception with just over 2 minutes to play.
Kicker Caleb Sturgis booted a 53-yard field goal that gave the Eagles a 27-24 lead with 1:46 to play.
Linebacker Brandon Graham's strip of Cassel late in the first half took the Cowboys out of field goal range. Graham did it again in the third quarter.
Cornerback E.J. Biggers pass defense on Cole Beasley on the Cowboys' third and six from the Dallas 23 with just less than 3 minutes to play.
The Eagles' reconfigured offensive line of right tackle Dennis Kelly, right guard Matt Tobin, center Jason Kelce, left guard Allen Barbre and left tackle Lane Johnson did a good job in buying Sam Bradford time and creating running lanes.
Linebacker Mychal Kendricks had a sack early in the third quarter. Until then, did anyone notice him on the field? Like Alonzo, Kendricks was coming off an injury. He was called for a holding, and the very next play cleaved the Dallas offensive line on a tackle for a loss.
The Bad
Eagles' first half clock management. The Eagles squandered a valuable opportunity to at least go into halftime with a lead. Instead, Chip Kelly opted not to do anything. It truly didn't make any sense not move with any sense of urgency, knowing Dallas would be receiving the second half kickoff in a game where points were coming at a premium.
Linebacker Kiko Alonzo can jump all over the field, but that doesn't mean he's going to make a play. On Sunday night, he didn't. He always seemed to be trailing the play, a few seconds late on everything. Coming off an injury, he was rusty and it showed.
Safety Malcolm Jenkins' holding penalty on Jason Witten shortened the field for Dan Bailey's tying 44-yard field goal in regulation.
The Ugly
Defensive backs E.J. Biggers, Nolan Carroll III and Chris Maragos looked like children looking up in awe when Dez Bryant yanked down the 18-yard moon putt that Cassel flung up with 10:52 left in the game for the Cowboys' tying 21-21 touchdown.
Poor tackling. It seems Eagle defenders pass the responsibility on to someone else for making the tackle. Just look at the way Darren McFadden ran through them at times Sunday night.
Cornerback Nolan Carroll III had a rough night. He was targeted often, wherever he was on the field, playing left or right—and it was no surprise he was the end zone trio that couldn't bat Cassel's desperation TD pass to Bryant in the fourth quarter.
Linebacker Brandon Graham's senseless taunting penalty with 13:38 left in the third quarter, after the Eagles held Dallas on a third-and-one at the Cowboys' 29.
Cornerback Byron Maxwell's two interference calls in the waning moments of the game.
