The Eagles not only avenged a Week 2 loss to Dallas, but they climbed back into the thick of the NFC East race at 4-4. The Giants have to face the Patriots on November 15, the NY Jets on December 6, and the Carolina Panthers and Minnesota Vikings right before facing the Eagles.
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Matt Cassel had a solid game, completing 25 of 38 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns. Matthews had nine catches for 133 yards. There were just two touchdowns in the first half-one for each side. It not only evened their record at 4-4, but also sent the Cowboys to a devastating defeat as they dropped their sixth in a row and fell to 2-6. He seemed far more comfortable in the game plan, and offensive coordinator Scott Linehan had a much rhythm during his veteran QB’s third Dallas start. After only being targeted once from Cassel last week, Beasley erupted with a big game, leading the Cowboys in receiving with nine catches for 112 yards and two touchdowns. Unfortunately it doesn’t appear that person will be an opposing quarterback, or a wide receiver on a crossing route, and definitely not a running back being hit by Rolando McClain, who was quite literally being knocked back five yards by opposing running backs. The defense and special teams have made huge, game-changing gaffes at the worst possible times, and yes, the quarterbacks have played poorly. The Eagles have returned just five kickoffs, with Josh Huff averaging 27.3 yards on his three attempts. Additionally, he posted a passer rating of 103.4, his first time breaking the century mark this season, and most importantly, did not turn the ball over once.
The Cowboys forced overtime with a 54-yard drive to Dan Bailey’s 44-yard field goal that caromed off the left upright and went through. The former No. 1 overall pick is making better decisions, too: The victory over the Cowboys was his first in more than a month without an interception. Philadelphia picked up a fourth-and-1 at the Dallas 43 before Bradford found Matthews over the middle the deciding score.
Romo is eligible to come back from injured reserve/designated for return on November 22 against the Dolphins. Murray also had 78 yards on six grabs. This one ended up taking overtime to decide a victor. Since they are all safeties, that didn’t bode well for the Cowboys in this game. They drafted Smith over quarterbacks like Teddy Bridgewater and Derek Carr, both of whom look like they may have bright futures in the NFL. Philadelphia was able to run for 172 yards, its fourth consecutive game with at least 158. On the next drive, the Eagles went back to short passes and stagnant check downs.
McFadden converted a fourth-and-1 inside the Philadelphia 10-yard line before Cassel found Beasley on third down for the game’s first touchdown.
The Eagles tied it in the second quarter by running the ball down Dallas’ throat.
“It’s kind of like there was a movie being shown and he showed up halfway through it”, Kelly added, “and then he’s supposed to figure out what’s going on and what happened in the first half of the movie because he hasn’t been with us for the amount of time that … a few of the other guys have been here”.
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NOTES: Dallas owner Jerry Jones reiterated his support of DE Greg Hardy on Friday after Deadspin published photos detailing Hardy’s alleged domestic assault of his ex-girlfriend. Hardy, who expressed regret on Twitter on Saturday, had three tackles and a sack Sunday.
