The Eagles put on a truly terrible display today. Almost nothing good can be said about today’s 24-0 loss to the Cowboys, except maybe that losing today is better than next week. This was the worst game of the season.
What didn’t the Eagles do well? The easy answer is everything.
The team’s offensive line was terrible – exposing Donovan McNabb to four sacks and precious few moments to throw to receivers. A likely cause for this was not just the hot defense of the Cowboys, but also the recent season-ending injury to center Jamaal Jackson. His loss is one that should not be underestimated.
Nick Cole, who had previously started at right guard, is handling Jackson’s snapping and blocking duties for the rest of this season. To say he wasn’t prepared is an understatement.
The Eagles run attack was practically non-existent, even for the pass happy Andy Reid. While the team has made strides this season to balance their play-calling, they regressed this week. Spread out on 10 carries, the team picked up only 37 yards. Just 37 yards! While the Cowboys are very good against the rush, the Eagles didn’t even try.
Defensively, the Eagles were equally as putrid. Marion Barber hit the ground running and didn’t look back. On 14 carries, he picked up 91 yards. Felix Jones was even more destructive, picking up the same yardage on 15 carries along with a touchdown.
Receivers also put a hurt on in every which was as Patrick Crayton, Miles Austin, and Jason Witten all had big days. Although Austin and Witten were effective, Crayton made the most noise with 99 yards on just 4 receptions – average 24.8 yards per touch. Don’t forget his touchdown either.
Additionally, a team that’s known for blitzes had very few of them. The Eagles put no pressure on Dallas and we all know how Tony Romo wilts when he’s attacked.
In the first half, the Eagles made a number of mistakes or had just misses on what would have huge plays that would have likely put them up at the half, not the Cowboys.
Rookie receiver Jeremy Maclin allowed a high, but catchable pass to go right through his hands when he was wide open. McNabb overthrew the speedy DeSean Jackson by 5 yards on a play that would have scored a touchdown. And if that didn’t take the wind out of the Eagles’ sails, then McNabb fumbling in the red zone did.
The McNabb haters were out in full force this week, some of them even taking joy in his failure. The Eagles and #5 had a terrible game and lost the chance to lock up the division title and get the first round bye, but they’re still in the playoffs. Unfortunately the trail to the Super Bowl is just going to be a little harder.
Shockingly, not all was bad for the Birds today. They did get shut out and embarrassed on the final day of the season, but Brent Celek put up another big day with 7 receptions and 96 yards, including a 25-yard run. Despite that, his day could have been much bigger since he had his fair share of drops.
Both Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson had decent days with just about 50 yards apiece, but they too had their issues as dropped passes plagued them both.
In a long rivalry filled with big games, this may have been one of the biggest. Unfortunately for the Eagles, they stepped on the field and choked. Although it would have been nice to have the first round bye and the NFC East crown, they’re still in the playoffs as the 6th seed.
This debacle is just a prologue now, as the seedings call for a first round match-up between the Eagles and Cowboys this Saturday at 8 pm. Once again, it’s at Jerry’s World in Dallas. The Cowboys fans are likely to rub it in this week, but be honest; you would have done it to them if the Eagles had won.
This wild card match-up is the one that will truly matter, and while the history and match-up favors the Eagles, as we saw today, it really is anyone’s game. The Eagles can’t afford to sleep on anyone.
The team ends the season at 11-5, second place in the NFC East.
