The Eagles and Andy Reid used max protection and sent 2 or 3 receivers out to run deep routes during the first half. The DeSean Jackson play reflected that strategy. The Eagles used a tight formation to disguise their true motive on the play. It was max protection and both outside linebackers were chipped. Pacman passed Jackson off in zone, and Jackson ran right at Roy. That has to fall on the Dallas coaches for letting the Eagles get this matchup. When you play heavy zone and let your corners pass very fast receivers off to safeties, things can happen. The Eagles simply caught Dallas on that play. It was a good formation and play design by the Eagles. However, that should have been Dallas' ball, because the officials blew the call.
However, Wade Phillips and the defensive coaches made the
adjustments at
halftime, and the defense helped win that game in the second half.
Phillips out coached Reid in the second half after adjusting to what the Eagles were doing in the first half. If you don't think so, just look at the stats in the second half.
The Eagles were limited to 123 yards of total offense and just 7 points.
The Eagles were handed 14 poi
nts. They were given a gift TD on the fumble. That was a zero play, zero yard drive. Was that the defense's fault? Then, they had the interception and the bogus PI call against Henry. An offensive pass interference call right there would have knocked the Eagles out of field goal range and put them deep behind the chains. The bottom line, the Eagles' score total was inflated.
Other stats that say the Defense wasn't "terrible" in this game:
The Eagles were only 5/12 on 3rd down (41%
. They didn't make enough of them.
The Eagles had 78 net rushing yards. 23-78 yards 3.4 YPC
The Eagles gained 5.3 Yards Per Play. Dallas gained 7.6 YPP.
The Eagles ran 64 plays . Dallas ran 54. The Eagles ran 10 more plays than Dallas did and were still outgained and outscored.
The Cowboys had
4 sacks (-22 yards), and
two of them were when it counted the most in the fourth quarter. Dallas got pressure on McNabb. He was harrassed all night but avoided a handful of sacks. Plus, the Eagles gameplan was to use max protection and attack the zone coverage by running 2 or 3 receivers deep. You have to tip your hat to McNabb for being elusive. The guy is 240 lbs. Other quarterbacks would have gone down on several plays, including Aaron Rodgers.
The Eagles had zero sacks, and Romo was well protected.
The Eagles had 281 Gross Yards Passing. 6.3 Yards Per Pass.
Dallas had 10.4 Yards Per Pass and more yards passing.
Lito Sheppard was beat deep on the long TD to Owens. He went for that double move, too , but wasn't called out for it.
Brian Dawkins was roasted by Jason Witten. T.O. beat him on a slant, too.
Brian Westbrook had 24 touches and 103 yards.
That is 4.3 Yards Per Touch. Dallas did a good job on him. Westbrook scored a TD when three Dallas defenders where being held right in front of the official, and he scored after the terrible call on Henry. Plus, he had another short TD after Jackson's gaff that should have given Dallas the ball, but the rule prevented it.
Redzone Defense:
The Eagles scored 3 TDs on 5
redzone trips.
Dallas scored 3 TDs on 3
redzone trips.
Finally, Doomsday had to win some shootouts. The 90s Super Bowl teams had to win some shootouts. I think there is some over reacting on the board as a whole.
Everyone says Pacman is "rusty". Cleveland targeted him 6 times and completed 2 passes for 20 yards. That is 3.3 YPA. I don't have the numbers, but the Eagles didn't do very well against him, either. It took a zone and a passoff in zone that allowed them to get on the safety deep. You can't blame A. Jones on a good play design by the Eagles. The guy is learning a completely new scheme, and he is playing well. He came close to picking one off again. It is only a matter of time.
I've got Newman being tageted two times for 20 yards on his 32 plays. McNabb threw directily at him 2 times and completed both of them. (1 for 8 on a shallow cross and 1 for 12 on a dig route that was bobbled and caught after a big hit by Watkins.) Newman will only get stronger as he settles back in.
It was the almighty Eagles' defense that was outcoached by Jason Garrett, especially in the second half.
The Cowboys' defense came through and outplayed the Eagles' offense in the second half.
Dallas' second half adjustments (coaching) was a key to this game.
