Quarterback Matt Barkley made his NFL debut, but not in the way the Eagles envisioned as the Eagles fell to the Dallas Cowboys 17-3 on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles' two-game win streak was snapped as the team is now 3-4. Dallas improved to 4-3. The Eagles host the Giants next Sunday at 1 p.m. at Lincoln Financial Field.
Barkley entered the game in the fourth quarter after starting quarterback Nick Foles exited the game at the end of the third quarter with a head injury. Foles was sacked by defensive ends Jairus Wynn and George Selvie at the Dallas 13-yard line.
The only problem for Barkley and the Eagles was that Dallas by 14 points before the rookie fourth-round pick took his first NFL snap. Dallas quarterback Tony Romo connected with rookie wide receiver Terrance Williams for the Cowboys' second touchdown of the half and the game's final points with 9:25 left in the contest. Running back Phillip Tanner punched the ball from 1-yard out with 9:17 left in the third quarter for the first touchdown of the game.
In was expected to be a shootout with two of the league's top-five scoring offenses, but this NFC East showdown for first place was a defensive slugfest early. The only points of the first half came on the foot of Dallas kicker Dan Bailey with a 38-yard field goal.
Prior to leaving the game, Foles struggled mightily in his second start for an injured Michael Vick, who was inactive due to his hamstring injury. The reigning NFC Offensive Player of the Week, Foles was 11-of-29 for 80 yards for a 46.2 passer rating. Foles was not in sync last he was a week ago when he picked apart the Tampa Bay defense even without defensive end DeMarcus Ware, whose streak of 134 consecutive games came to an end due to a quad injury.
Through three quarters, the Eagles amassed 143 yards and were 2-for-14 on third down conversions. Alex Henery finally got the Eagles on the board with a 31-yard field goal to start the fourth quarter. With Foles struggling, the Cowboys were able to corral running back LeSean McCoy to 55 yards rushing on 18 carries.
Barkley's first NFL pass was completed to wide receiver Jason Avant for a gain of 6 yards, but the drive ended with an interception by middle linebacker Sean Lee. It was the first of three interceptions thrown by Barkley in his relief effort.
The Eagles defense did their part in containing Dallas' offense, which entered Sunday's game ranked first in the NFC and second in the league averaging 30.5 points per game. Defensive coordinator Bill Davis' crew was able to get penetration in the backfield and knock around Romo, who finished 28-of-47 for 317 yards with the one touchdown and a pair of interceptions. Linebacker DeMeco Ryans led the effort with the interception, which led to the Eagles' points, a sack and a key third-down stop early in the game.
Eagles Stats:
QB Nick Foles: 11-of-29, 80 yards, 46.2 rating
QB Matt Barkley: 11-of-20, 129 yards, 3 INT, 35.2 rating
RB LeSean McCoy: 18-55, 3.1 ypc
WR Riley Cooper: 6 rec., 88 yards
Cowboys Stats:
QB Tony Romo: 28-of-47, 317 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT, 69.2 rating
RB Joseph Randle: 19-65, 3.4 ypc
WR Dez Bryant: 8 rec., 110 yards
WR Terrance Williams: 6 rec., 71 yards, TD
