Cowboys vs. Eagles: Recap by Possession
The Dallas Cowboys continued their fight to make the playoffs this week against the struggling Philadelphia Eagles. A review of the 1st half possessions can be found here. The second half started with the Eagles up 17-10. Here is a synopsis of the second half possessions:
Dec 2, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant (88) runs after a catch for a touchdown in the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE
Possession 1, Dallas Cowboys:
The Cowboys first drive began at their own 20. RB DeMarco Murray took the first carry for 14 yards up the middle. After another carry, the Cowboys had 2nd and 6, Romo hit WR Dez Bryant for a short gain on the outside to bring up 3rd and 1. On 3rd down, it looked like Murray would be dropped in the backfield, but he bounced it outside for 27 yards reminding everyone why they call DeMarco Murray the DMM Express. On 1st down, the Cowboys stuck with the run; Felix Jones picked up 7 up the middle. After a short run by Jones, it was 3rd and 2 on the Philly 24. Romo had to scramble to keep the play alive, he eventually found Dez Bryant on a very short pas, but Bryant made a nice move to beta the defender and taking the ball to the endzone. That TD pass gave Tony Romo the record (from Troy Aikman) for TD passes by a Dallas Cowboys quarterback.
Dallas Cowboys 17 – Philadelphia 17
Possession 2, Philadelphia Eagles:
Dec 2, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Philadelphia Eagles receiver Riley Cooper (14) makes a third quarter touchdown catch against Dallas Cowboys cornerback Brandon Carr (39) at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE
They began the drive on their 20. Under pressure from DeMarcus Ware, Eagles QB Foles dumped the ball off for a gain of 2. Foles then found Maclin on the right sideline for a first down. The Eagles continued to try and pound the ball with Bryce Brown, picking up 5 yards through the middle. On 2nd and 5, new Cowboys ILB Ernie Sims made a nice tackle in the open field to limit the receiver to a short gain. On 3rd and 2, the Eagles ran through the middle; it was close enough to bring the chains, but the Eagles managed enough for a 1st down on their own 47. Out of the shotgun on 1st down, the Eagles went back to RB Brown who carried the ball over the RG for 3 yards. OLB Anthony Spencer was slow to get up after the play with an apparent knee injury, but he walked off the field on his own. OLB Victor Butler came in to replace him. Eagles RB Brown then rushed through a huge whole in the middle for 17 yards. On the next play, second-string RB Dion Lewis bounced it outside from the shotgun formation for an 11 yard rush. After an incomplete on 1st down, QB Foles, under pressure, tossed the ball to Brown for gain of about 6. On the next play, WR Riley Cooper made a great catch while being covered by Brandon Carr for a touchdown.
Dallas Cowboys 17 – Philadelphia Eagles 24
Possession 3, Dallas Cowboys:
Dec 2, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray (29) runs with the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE
On first down from the 20, QB Tony Romo hit WR Kevin Ogletree for a gain of 8. On 2nd down, RB DeMarco Murray showed his power when he fought hard to get the 1st down. The Cowboys then went back to Murray who carried the ball up the middle for 4 yards. On 2nd and 6, Romo hit Murray over the middle for a 4 yard gain. Romo then hit WR Bryant on a slant for about 15 yards. On 1st anbd 10 from the Eagles 48, DeMarco Murray continued to look powerful on a 7 yard gain. Following a short run, the Cowboys had 3rd and 2. From the shotgun, the Cowboys tried an inside run with Murray who was tackled very close to the first down marker. After a measurement, the Cowboys were about 2 inches short. On 4th down, Murray took the ball right up the middle for a short gain. After what looked like a terrible spot, the Cowboys did not get enough for the 1st down. Dallas Cowboys Head Coach Jason Garrett challenged the spot. The challenge was successful, they re-spotted the ball, and then re-measured to see if the Cowboys got enough for the 1st down; they did.
END OF THIRD QUARTER
Dec 2, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys receiver Miles Austin (19) scores a fourth quarter touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE
On 1st and 10 from the Philly 38, Murray was dropped after a very short gain. From the shotgun, Romo hit WR Dwayne Harris who then fought hard and dragged the defender for an extra couple yards to get the 1st down. Romo then used an impressive fake to hit a streaking WR Miles Austin with a bullet for a TD.
Dallas Cowboys 24 – Philadelphia Eagles 24
Dec 2, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tight end Brent Celek (87) runs after making a catch against the Dallas Cowboys during the game at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-US PRESSWIRE
Possession 4, Philadelphia Eagles:
The Eagles returned the kickoff to their own 22. Jason Avant caught a WR screen on 1st down for about 8 yards. RB Brown then carried the ball over the RT for a new set of downs. After an incomplete pass on 1st down, Brown was nearly tackled for a 3 or yard loss, but bounced it outside for a gain of 11. On 1st down, OLB Anthony Spencer made a nice play to bat down the pass. On 2nd down, facing a blitz, Foles hit a wide-open Jason Avant for a gain of 23. After some pressure from DT Josh Brent (who was probably held on the play), Fole threw the ball away. On 2nd down, Foles went back to TE Celek on the fake stretch play to bring up 3 and 4. Despite having all day to look the field over, Foles could not find an open receiver and eventually threw the ball away. The Eagles then kicked a 43 yard FG.
Dallas Cowboys 24 – Philadelphia Eagles 27
Possession 5, Dallas Cowboys:
Dec 2, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant (88) scores a fourth quarter touchdown against Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE
Dwayne Harris returned the kick past the 30, but there were several flags on the play. Two Cowboys committed holding penalties. WR Dez Bryant returned to the field after leaving for an IV to combat some cramping. After a short run on 1st down, Romo went to the shotgun on 2nd down, but handled the ball off to Felix Jones for an inside run. On 3rd and 2, Romo went long to Dez Bryant for a gain of 35 yards. The Cowboys then went back to Jones who rushed for 3 yards just outside of the RT. Romo then found TE Jason Witten for another big gain, which gave the Cowboys 1st and goal inside the Eagles 5 yard-line The catch put Jason Witten over 100 yards receiving on the day. DeMarco Murray went no where on 1st down. On 2nd down, the Cowboys came out with 3 WRs, but Cole Beasley was not one of them. Nonetheless, Romo threw a quick out to Dez Bryant who then ran over Eagles CB Cromartie for his second touchdown of the day.
Dallas Cowboys 31 – Philadelphia Eagles 27
Dec 2, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Bryce Brown (34) fumbles the ball after being hit by Dallas Cowboys nose tackle Josh Brent (92) and linebacker Dan Conner (52) during the game at Cowboys Stadium. The Cowboys beat the Eagles 38-33. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-US PRESSWIRE
Possession 6, Philadelphia Eagles:
After Bailey’s kick went through the end-zone, the Eagles began their drive on the 20. The Cowboys were finally able to tackle RB Brown for a short gain on 1st down. On 2nd down, Foles was chased out of the pocket and threw the ball away. On 3rd down, after being chased from the pocket from DeMarcus Ware, Foles threw an 18 yard completion. After a short pass to Maclin on 1st down, the Eagles went back to Brown who fumbled the ball. Rookie CB Morris Claiborne picked up the ball 50 yards for a touchdown.
Dallas Cowboys 38 – Philadelphia Eagles 27
Possession 7, Philadelphia Eagles:
Another Bailey kickoff sailed through the end-zone, taking the ball out to the 20. On 1st down, Danny McCray had the ball hit him in the hands, but he could not hold on for the interception. On 2nd down, the Eagles ran with Brown out of the shotgun, again, for 12 yard gain. On the next play, OLB was called for roughing the passer, which set up the Eagles on their 47. Brown then picked up a few yards on a screen to get the Eagles into Cowboys’ territory. On the next play, OLB Victor Butler sacked Foles and forced a fumble which the Eagles recovered. After a short pass on 3rd down, the Eagles were facing 4th and 18.
2:00 minute warning.
DeMarcus Ware jumped offside to make it 4th and 13. The Cowboys only rushed 3 defenders. Foles completed a pass to TE Celek, but he tackled short of the first down.
Dec 2, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason witten (82) is tackled after a catch in the fourth quarter against Philadelphia Eagles safety Nate Allen (29) and Kurt Coleman (42) at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE
Possession 8, Dallas Cowboys:
In the 2nd half, QB Tony Romo was 10 for 10 passing for over 160 yards and 3 touchdowns.
The Cowboys were content to run the ball. The Cowboys punt was returned 98 yards for a touchdown by Johnson. The Eagles attempted a 2-point conversion. QB Foles missed an open receiver, threw a bad pass to WR Jason Avant for an incomplete.
The Philadelphia Eagles attempted an onside kick. Jason Witten caught the kickoff. Romo then took a knee to end the game.
Dallas Cowboys 38 – Philadelphia Eagles 33
The Dallas Cowboys improved to 500 keeping their slim playoff hopes alive; the Philadelphia Eagles lost their eighth game in a row.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This post was published minutes after the game ended, so it is largely unedited, please excuse the mistakes.