Eagles vs. Cowboys: Looking at Philadelphia's Studs and Duds in Tough Win
After many thought that the Eagles would finish with 8 or 9 wins this season and miss the playoffs, the Eagles currently have a 9-4 record with three games remaining and look to be in a prime position to make the postseason.
The win against the Cowboys wasn't the prettiest, but I think a lot of people expected this game to be a battle coming in. The Cowboys are playing at a much higher level behind new head coach Jason Garrett and came close to upsetting the Eagles.
However, in the end, the Eagles made plays when they really needed to and were able to leave Dallas with their first victory in the new Cowboys Stadium.
Today, I take a closer look at the game and nominate the Eagles I thought were studs and duds.
Stud: DeSean Jackson
1 of 8
I'm sure you saw this one coming. The Eagles tried to open the game similar to the way they opened up the Monday night game against the Redskins. On the Eagles' first offensive play of the game, Michael Vick ran a play-action, rolled to his left, and threw a deep strike to Jackson.
Although he didn't score like he did against the Redskins, Jackson put the Eagles in prime position to take an early lead, and they did.
Jackson was a bit quiet during the middle of the game. On a punt return in the third quarter, Jackson rolled his ankle and was forced off the field. However, he was able to return to the game and made his presence felt.
In the fourth quarter, the Eagles were pinned deep and needed a big play to take back the lead. Jackson delivered.
On a quick strike towards the sideline, Jackson turned the ball back into the middle of the field and ran 91 yards for a touchdown. You could tell he was still hobbled a bit by the ankle, but he was still able to outrun all of the Cowboys defenders and score.
Stud: Todd Herremans
2 of 8
Can an offensive lineman get some love? On an offensive set we don't see out of the Eagles too often, Herremans was used as a receiving option in the second quarter. With the big man open in the end zone, Vick hit him between the numbers and Herremans showed the world that he's ready to take reps at wide receiver.
OK, maybe not.
However, whenever an offensive lineman scores you have to give him props, or laugh out loud, or both.
Outside of reeling in a touchdown pass, Herremans was pretty solid on the line all game. He wasn't flawless, but he had a lot of key blocks late in the game to help spring LeSean McCoy and help the Eagles retain the lead.
I've been saying it all year and will keep saying it, Herremans has consistently been the Eagles' best offensive lineman this season.
Stud: LeSean McCoy
3 of 8
Shady recorded his third 100-yard rushing game of the season against the Cowboys. If you told me that he'd run for over 100 yards when the third quarter ended, I probably wouldn't have believed you. However, McCoy proved to be the closer for the Eagles again.
He didn't do a whole lot through most of the game as the Eagles offense followed their usual routine of not running the football. They tried to hit McCoy on a couple of screens but the Cowboys were all over it.
When it really counted, the Eagles started feeding McCoy and he didn't disappoint. McCoy hit the hole hard and sprang big play after big play.
In the end, the Cowboys couldn't shut down McCoy and he really won the game for the Eagles.
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Stud: Quintin Mikell
4 of 8
Mikell hasn't really been impressing me this season, but I was happy with the way he played against the Cowboys. He was second on the team in tackles for the game and also recorded a deflected pass.
His most impressive series occurred where he made a big hit on a running back at the line of scrimmage, holding him to no gain, and on the ensuing play intercepted a Jon Kitna pass. It was no easy catch for Mikell, but he was able to get both of his hands underneath the ball and keep possession.
We've needed better play out of Mikell and this game was a step in the right direction.
Dud: Jorrick Calvin
5 of 8
I'm not going to lie. I wasn't aware that the clock didn't start running on a kickoff until you advanced it across the goal line.
Apparently I'm not the only one.
However, if you're returning kicks in the NFL, I think that's probably a rule you should know about. Do you think Calvin knows that games can end in ties?
So, that was a bonehead move, but then you're going to get in someone's face after that and take a personal foul? You've got to be kidding me. Not only is that just uncalled for, but it backs us up to our own 10-yard line.
It made me so happy to see Andy Reid get on his case coming off the field. When asked about what he said to Calvin during his press conference, Reid responded, "It wasn't good."
Dud: Jeremy Maclin
6 of 8
I found the dropped ball by Maclin in this game to be upsetting. Extremely upsetting.
The Cowboys did a good job on this play by forcing Vick to role to his right, which isn't the way he's comfortable rolling to. However, Vick was able to find Maclin open and deliver a ball where it needed to be.
Unfortunately for Vick and the Eagles, Maclin let the ball slip through his hands, where it was intercepted. The play really allowed the Cowboys to gain some momentum as it was a completely deflating play for the Eagles and their offense.
Dud: Ernie Sims
7 of 8
Ernie Sims has played very well for the Eagles this season; however, I don't think this was one of his better efforts. For some reason, Sims seemed to be very indecisive against the Cowboys.
In the Cowboys' first offensive drive, they brought the ball to the goal line and lined up at the 1-yard line. Sims lined up across from Jason Witten and as he released off the line, Sims couldn't decide what to do. He hesitated and when he finally tried to chip Witten off the line, it was too late. Witten blew past him and scored the Cowboys' first touchdown.
There were other instances in coverage where I was disappointed with Sims. I thought he'd be key in coverage this week as he's the Eagles quickest linebacker. They tried to use him in some coverage situations but he failed to execute.
Dud: King Dunlap
8 of 8
We probably could have guessed this one before the game even started. Winston Justice doesn't get a lot of credit on the Eagles line, but we really saw what type of value he has in his absence against the Cowboys.
The Cowboys clearly knew he was the weak link in the Eagles offensive line. To key on that, they would send DeMarcus Ware his way. Ware didn't take all of his snaps across from Dunlap, but he probably should have.
Dunlap struggled all game and failed to give Vick a whole lot of time to make throws. Surprisingly, Dunlap took care of Ware on a few snaps, but Ware took care of him the majority of the night.
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