After a sluggish first quarter, the Eagles' offense found a rhythm in the middle of the game that allowed the team to score 24 consecutive points and turn an early 21-0 deficit into a three-point advantage.
The Eagles scored on four straight drives - three touchdowns and a field goal. Two of the drives surpassed 80 yards in length. Philadelphia had all of the momentum in the world and then it evaporated into the chilly winter night. Unable to gain traction again, the Eagles lost to the Dallas Cowboys 38-27 on Sunday night.
"It was very frustrating. We fought our way back even after how badly the game started. We were really trying to go out there and get the win, but it didn't happen for us," said running back LeSean McCoy. "They played a lot harder. We knew they were going to come in and try to stop us. They just made plays at the right time. When we got going we really got going. We just slowed down at the wrong time."
McCoy had his best game of the season on Thanksgiving against the Cowboys rushing for 159 yards and a touchdown. Fully expecting some different looks from the Dallas defense, McCoy was kept in check to the tune of 64 yards on 16 carries. Dallas frequently deployed a safety into the box to keep tabs on the All-Pro running back. McCoy's streak of six-straight games of at least 100 yards rushing on Sunday Night Football came to an end.
In the third quarter, however, the Eagles had plenty of life after defensive end Fletcher Cox recovered a Tony Romo fumble at the Dallas 14-yard line. McCoy gained 6 yards and 3 yards which, combined with a penalty, put the ball at the 1-yard line. Even though McCoy didn't punch the ball in, he was the lead blocker for Darren Sproles as the two lined up in the backfield together to put the Eagles up 24-21.
It's Sunday night and the biggest game in the NFL is the Cowboys-Eagles' showdown for first place in the NFC East ...
TE Zach Ertz hurdling the tackler
RB Darren Sproles crossing the goal line for the touchdown
RB LeSean McCoy
RB Chris Polk celebrating his touchdown
The Linc lighting up for tonght's game
S Malcolm Jenkins making the tackle
WR Jeremy Maclin warming up for the big game
G Andrew Gardener warming up for tonight's game
QB Nick Foles is here to enjoy the divisional rivalry
T Dennis Kelly out on the field before the game
C/G Julian Vandervelde
Fans are here for the big game!
TE Trey Burton during warmups
TE James Casey
WR Josh Huff returning the kick
QB Mark Sanchez back in the pocket
RB LeSean McCoy trying to get the offense going
LB Trent Cole with the pressure
DE Fletcher Cox with the tackle
And then DE Cox with the celebration
A happy DE Fletcher Cox
TE Brent Celek making the third down completion
K Cody Parkey making the point after
TE Brent Celek with the catch
RB LeSean McCoy on the run
Eagles cheerleaders out in the cold for tonight's game
QB Mark Sanchez finding TE Brent Celek down field
RB LeSean McCoy throwing out a stiff arm on the tackler
TE Zach Ertz making the catch
Eagles fans are in full force tonight at the game
WR Jordan Matthews and RB Chris Polk celebrating the touchdown
RB Chris Polk carrying tacklers into the end zone
LB Connor Barwin putting pressure on the quarterback
CB Nolan Carroll II with the special teams tackle
WR Josh Huff bouncing off of players on the return
RB Chris Polk accepting the ball from QB Mark Sanchez
RB Chris Polk now has two touchdowns on the night!
LB Casey Matthews making the tackle
LB Connor Barwin and the defense is starting to feel it
TE Zach Ertz
BrotherlyLove
S Chris Prosinski making the shoe string tackle
The stands are packed tonight!
RB LeSean McCoy
QB Mark Sanchez on the roll out
S Chris Prosinski fighting through the block
CB Bradley Fletcher making the tackle
The field goal unit before the snap
DE Cedric Thornton getting to the QB
WR Jeremy Maclin catching the ball for a big gain!
WR Jeremy Maclin fighting through the tackle
QB Mark Sanchez
WR Jeremy Maclin coming up just short of the goal line
RB Chris Polk tossing the ball into the stands after his second score
RB Darren Sproles scampering into the end zone
RB LeSean McCoy looking for a hole in the defense
Celebrating the Sproles touchdown
The problem was the Eagles stopped doing what allowed them to climb back into the contest.
"As an offense we executed and didn't turn the ball over," McCoy said. "We didn't make mistakes."
Dallas capitalized on two Mark Sanchez interceptions and a Brent Celek fumble to regain control of the game. The Eagles not only lost the game, but their hold on first place in the NFC East. Philadelphia can still win the division title, but they'll need to win - and get some help. First and foremost, McCoy is focused on what his team needs to take care of.
"All we can do is try and win out," McCoy said. "Take this next game against Washington and go in and win there."
