Dallas Dominates - 34-14

Bradie James and the Cowboys defense dominated yet again, forcing four turnovers against the Eagles. (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam)

4,760 days.

That's how long it had been since the Dallas Cowboys had last won a playoff game (Dec. 28, 1996).

Dallas was also tied for the longest playoff losing streak during this time at six games.

Not anymore.

The Cowboys thoroughly dismantled the Philadelphia Eagles Saturday night at Cowboys' stadium, simultaneously beating a bitter division rival three times in a season for the first time ever. Dallas put to rest many previous first-round playoff demons.

Dallas' coach Wade Phillips won his first playoff game (1-4) and Eagles coach Andy Reid lost for the first time in an opening playoff game (7-1) as the Cowboys reversed many previous trends.

"It's just ... rewarding," said Tony Romo, who also won his first playoff game. "It makes me proud of the guys in there - fighting, grinding, staying committed to the approach. I'm happy for the guys, happy for Wade, happy for Jerry [Jones]."

Dallas Defense Not Letting Up

After the Cowboys defense completely shut down the Eagles offense last week, you knew the NFL's 5th best scoring offense was going to score some points.

Philadelphia tied the game 7-7 early in the second quarter on a Michael Vick pass to Jeremy Maclin, who streaked pass corner Mike Jenkins (who took a terrible angle on the ball), for 73-yards. It was the longest reception against Dallas ever in the postseason and the longest in Vick's career.

The Dallas D tightened after that, not allowing Philadelphia to score again until the game was already decided early in the fourth quarter and Dallas up by 27.

The Cowboys pressured Donovan McNabb all-game long, sacking him four times, forcing him to fumble, and forcing an interception. Demarcus Ware had two sacks and a tomahawk chop on McNabb's arm that forced a fumble and effectively put the final nail in the proverbial coffin with less than five minutes left in regulation.

Anthony Spencer played well, registering a sack and a couple of tackles for loss. Bradie James had six tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery as the Dallas linebackers showed just how good they are.

"We have something to really build off of, " said Keith Brooking. "With the talent we have [and] we have those types of intangibles and I don't think there are a lot of teams in this league that can beat us right now."

Dallas forced three fumbles, recovering all three, and had an interception as they not only held the Philly offense to only 14 points for the game, but also forced turnovers that led to points.

The Cowboys scored 10 points off of turnovers for the game.

Romo Poised, Careful Under Pressure

Tony Romo completed 23-35 passes for two touchdowns, zero interceptions and led Dallas to 27 second quarter points - the most points ever scored in a quarter in Cowboys' playoff history.

The Dallas Cowboys haven't trailed in their last four games and a big reason is Romo's ability to get the offense off to good starts as he is easily playing the best football of his career.

Felix Jones Runs Wild

Somebody made the most of their first playoff game and an increased number of carries with Marion Barber nursing a bum left knee.

The second-year pro set a career high in rushing (148 yards) and set a Cowboys' all-time record with a 73-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.

Jones averaged 9.3 yards per carry and gashed the Philadelphia defense all game long. It seems as though Jones is going to have an increased role in the offense with Barber hobbled, I've got no problem with that.

Whats Next

This game could not have gone better for the Dallas Cowboys. They dominated in every phase of the game and are playing their best football of the season at the perfect time.

No matter who wins today, Green Bay or Arizona, the Cowboys will travel to Minnesota this weekend to take on Brett Favre and the Vikings.

Look for an in-depth preview later this week.


News and Notes:

• The Cowboys sacked Donovan McNabb four times in each of the three meetings this season.
• Dallas held the ball for 39:44 compared to only 20:26 for Philadelphia, running the ball 35 times compared to only 13 for the Eagles.
• Roy Williams caught five passes for 59 yards, his highest catch and yardage totals since week 14 against the S.D. Chargers.
• Tonight's 92,951 tickets distributed established a single-game NFL postseason non-Super Bowl record.
  

(Portions of this article were taken from The Associated Press)