Felix Jones and the Cowboys rushing attack destroyed the Eagles defense for 179 yards and a touchdown, helping the Cowboys to the NFC East crown.(AP Photo/Mike Fuentes)For the second time in the last three seasons, the Dallas Cowboys (11-5) are NFC East champs. Thanks to a stifling defense, excellent running game and Tony Romo; the Cowboys will be hosting the Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) in next week's wild card playoff round.
The Cowboys got off to a hot start, going 80 yards in nine plays on their first drive of the game, culminating in a 10-yard touchdown pass to Jason Witten. The Pro-Bowl tight-end finished the game with 76 yards on six catches and only his second receiving touchdown of the season. Dallas continued their run, getting out to a 17-0 lead and out-gaining the Eagles 292 yards to 124 in the first half.
Philadelphia had their chances, in the first half at least. Donovan McNabb missed open targets several times in the first half, including DeSean Jackson deep for what would have been the Eagles first points of the game in the first quarter.
The Cowboys led from start to finish in a dominating performance on both sides of the ball.
"This ballclub has done a good job of putting it's best foot forward when it has to," said Romo, who finished the game 24-34 for 311 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. "We haven't arrived and we haven't accomplished anything. This is a step in the process to continue to get to where we want to go. Its a positive one, definitely, but we still need to keep improving."
The Dominant Cowboys Defense
Four games, four straight season lows in opponent scoring. This one might have been the best against the 3rd best scoring offense in the NFL.
Dallas harassed Eagles starting QB Donovan McNabb all game long. The Cowboys sacked McNabb four times for the game, and forced two fumbles. Anthony Spencer continues to impress, registering two sacks, and now has six sacks in his last six games after not registering one in the first 10 games this season.
The Cowboys held the Eagles to only 37 yards rushing on 10 carries as Philadelphia had to play catch-up for the majority of the game after Dallas' quick strike touchdown.
"We're going to go back to the drawing board and make sure we get ourselves ready for this next game," said Eagles coach Andy Reid.
The Cowboys finished the season allowing 250 total points (15.6 points a game), the least allowed by any NFC team and second in the NFL. This is the least points allowed by a Cowboys team in the 2000's.
The Dallas defense is playing it's best football of the year and at exactly the right time. Time will only tell if it will continue into the playoffs.
Tony Romo Stays Dominant In December-January
Despite another tip-pass interception for the second consecutive week, Tony Romo has played almost flawless football in his last five games. Over this time span, Romo hasn't passed for under 249 yards. He has averaged 310 yards a game in this span and has thrown 10 touchdowns compared to only two interceptions.
Much like the defense, Romo has picked the most opportune time to play his best football of the season.
Who says Tony Romo can't win the big games?
Running Back Duo Takes Over
Marion Barber and Felix Jones combined for 182 yards and a touchdown on 29 carries. While Barber punished Eagles defenders for even thinking about tackling him, Jones maneuvered his way to big gains, including a 49-yard touchdown with 5:46 remaining in the fourth quarter that put an end to Philly's chances of hosting the Cowboys' next week.
Whats Next
As bad as it felt for Cowboys' fans last season when the Eagles dominated Dallas 44-6, it feels better this year as Dallas thoroughly outplayed Philadelphia this afternoon.
"People are going to keep coming back [to the past] unless you do something about it,"said Cowboys coach Wade Phillips. "This team did something about it."
The Cowboys, with their win against the Eagles, now go into the playoffs as the NFC's hottest team - winners of three straight games.
Dallas plays the Eagles at Cowboys stadium next weekend in the Wild-Card round of the NFC playoffs.
Stay tuned this week for an in-depth preview of Dallas' first playoff game in two years.
News and Notes:
- With seven catches for 90 yards against the Eagles, Miles Austin finished the season number one in the NFC in receiving yards and third in the NFL (1,320).
- Patrick Crayton had his most yards in a game since week one against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Crayton finished with four receptions for 99 yards and a touchdown.
- Dallas had possession of the ball for 40:23 compared to only 19:37 for Philadelphia.
(Portions of this article were taken from The Associated Press)
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