-RUN DEFENSE: C. The Cowboys had been solid against the run until the eighth game when they gave up 175 yards on the ground against the Eagles. This time around, the Philadelphia Eagles drove 80 yards in nine plays for a game-winning 41-yard touchdown pass in overtime for a 33-27 victory.
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The Cowboys expect Bryant to be ready to play Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Cowboys could be trying to even their record when they visit the Redskins on December 7.
The Eagles have a true three-headed monster in the backfield, featuring DeMarco Murray, Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles.
“Sam got here in year three so there’s a lot of catching up for him along with training his injury, so that’s why I think you’ll see him having a better second half”, offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said Tuesday. Don’t get me wrong. I am no longer bullish on their chances. Currently, the Cowboys trail the leading NY Giants (5-4) by two games in the loss column in their division, and sit only one win behind Washington (3-5).
This is the second week that, under National Football League rules regarding the injured reserve/designated to return list, Romo has been eligible to practice.
That would be a unsafe assumption. Pitiful as that is, the Eagles are averaging seven points in second quarters. But the offense finally found itself Sunday night against the Eagles. It was balanced and potent and deserved to win. 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.
But defense was the difference in this game.
Garrett said they can build on how they continued to play and continued to fight against the Eagles Sunday. The Cowboys didn’t. Ballgame.
Hardy had three tackles and a sack that ended a Philadelphia drive late in the third quarter.
In between, Hicks was dependable and productive to the point that the team was committed to keeping Hicks in the inside linebacker rotation even when the three veterans were healthy. His blitz in the second week of the season broke Romo’s collarbone and sent the quarterback and the Dallas playoff hopes to the sideline. He said he would’ve been the one making the defensive calls via the headset in his helmet (one player on defense is designated with the microphone) if the Eagles had to play defense in overtime. They have rushed for a league-high 693 yards in the last four games.
Eagles head coach Chip Kelly’s offense is already one that is based upon running several options out of few unique plays, but it sounds as though the coaching staff has made it a priority to ensure Bradford is running the plays best suited to both his skill-set and that he’s most comfortable with. It helped, of course, that Jordan Matthews caught everything thrown to him and that the Eagles’ rushing attack again resembled what the resumes suggested it would, but if you believe Kelly and his loyal soldiers, it all fits into the same capsule.
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Jones said he never thought the Cowboys would be in the position they are in.
