Defense led the way in the scoreless first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles had all of 53 total net yards offensively, while Dallas gained only 77 offensive yards.

After winning the coin toss, the Eagles had the ball first and gained a first down before punting. Philadelphia's defense then held Dallas for a three-and-out series to force a punt, and then moved out of poor field position with a 14-yard pass from Nick Foles to Riley Cooper for a first down. The drive stalled, though, and Donnie Jones came on for his second punt of the quarter.

Dallas took control for its second offensive possession at the 10-yard line. Quarterback Tony Romo completed passes to Cole Beasley and Jason Witten to move to the 47-yard line and then Joseph Randle gained 12 yards to the Philadelphia 41-yard line. Then DeMeco Ryans came on a blitz and sacked Romo, and on third and 20, Romo completed a pass to Terrance Williams at the Philadelphia 36-yard line and the defense had another hold.

Once again, though, the offense failed to manufacture a drive. The Eagles gained one first down on a defensive holding penalty, but that was it. And with 3 minutes, 6 seconds to go in the first quarter, the Cowboys took possession at their 30-yard line.

But the Eagles defense stood tall and Dallas was forced to punt again.

Romo was 5-9 for 70 yards in the first quarter. Beasley had 2 receptions for 23 yards, Witten caught a pair of passes for 32 yards  and Joseph Randle ran 4 times for 20 yards.

Foles was 5 for 10 passing for 24 yards, while McCoy had 3 carries and 10 yards on the ground and 2 catches for 4 yards receiving.