Gambling, gift-wrapped glory

[Doomsday101]

I'm certainly not criticizing Dallas' execution down the stretch.

But there should never have been the opportunity. Pederson made some horrific decisions. But it happens. Dallas still has to get it done, and they did.

I guarantee you Dak will see that defensive approach moving forward. Not that other teams can do it as well as Philly. He was horrible for three quarters.

Some teams may try it but I don't think many have the same physical defensive front that Philly does. On Offense Sproles in my view should have been a starter for most of his career yet coach after coach only uses him as a role player that is their choice. But saying others will copy what Philly did? Go ahead but other teams do not have the same defensive strengths that Philly has. All week many here were predicting a Cowboys blowout of Philly, based on what? I don't know other than enthusiasm of the Cowboys success. Myself I expected what I saw last night which was a hard fought and physical game by 2 good teams. Philly came into this game giving up an agv of 14 points a game so this is not some slob defense the Cowboys were facing. Dallas made some mistakes and Philly at times forced mistakes on the Cowboys.

 

[Daillest88]

I thought we made it easy on them by showing we were passing on them every down in the red zone in the first half

 

[Idgit]

I saw a different game. The Eagles play dink and dunk offense and Dallas plays bend-don't-break defense,,, the optical illusion was that the Eagles were doing whatever they wanted and yet one look at the box score (and the final score) tells a different story. The Cowboys tightened up the defense in the second half and shut those guys down, 16 unanswered points with the Eagles dinking and dunking and eventually punting. There's no doubt that Dak had an ugly game, the Eagles defense had him dazed and confused and the many horrible passes he threw gave the illusion that the Cowboys offense couldn't do anything,,, and yet one look at the box score shows they stacked up 400 yards of offense before overtime,,, and the Eagles had less than 300! Why did they stop running? Multiple tackles behind the LOS is why. Why didn't they throw deeper down field? Bend don't break baby. We give you the short stuff, then make the tackle. Pederson's decision to punt? Bad decision, no doubt, in hindsight anyways,,, he was gambling that Dak would go three and out, which was a 50-50 shot really.

This is more the game I was watching. But I gotta hand it to erod because he did a really nice job of telling his version, too.

 

[Maxmadden]

I went to bed at 11pm. I missed an exciting finish.

I hope Dak takes last night as a learning experience. The Iggles had him dazed for 3 quarters. But in the end, he did what he had to do to win.

Please tell me you passed out drunk at 11 pm.
Are you a Cowboy fan?

 

[Satchel89]

I think Dallas is the better team by far, Especially on offense. The Cowboys kept the Eagles in the game with bad play from the special teams. Lucky was terrible and the penalties were atrocious. That inexcusable 12 man on the field penalty...again. How does that happen? Take Sproles off the field and I don't see very many explosive players on their offense. They have a good defense but I'll take the Cowboys roster over theirs any day of the week.

 

[robbieruff]

Dallas got outplayed last night. It was evident. And let's be honest, if the tables were turned, we'd be livid beyond reason, and ready to hang our coaching staff from Jerry's big TV.

Doug Pederson and his staff did about everything they could to giftwrap a chance for Dallas to steal a victory, and the Cowboys rightly obliged. Prescott went full Romo late, and the Cowboys gambled to a great win.

Why Pederson passed on a that 53ish yard field goal was bizarre. Why he stopped running the ball when the Cowboys were getting gashed to pieces was weird. Why suddenly Smallwood entered the game late with Sproles, Matthews, and Varner warmed and ready was stupid. Philly wanted to toy with this wounded animal before eating it, but found it playing possum instead. Oops.

Philly had the ball up 23-13 and marching into Dallas territory with gut-punch runs right through the heart. The resistance was less than inspiring. I was prepping for a 30-13 game the wrong way, and a tough week 'round these parts.

A field goal later after Smallwood's fumble, and there's a puncher's chance down a score. But down the field Sproles and the Eagles went again. Not looking good. But then, Lee blows up another quick screen (that play hadn't worked all night), mixed with other unnecessary pass plays downfield, and suddenly, I see a punter. What? Why? What have we here?

Well, thank you kindly, Mr. Pederson.

Pederson then saw what we saw, the Cowboys offense woke up from a groggy three-quarter slumber. Beasley finally surfaced, Zeke got going, Williams got involved, and Yeti Brice caught a ball. Dez capped it, and what in the world? We're tied? Are you serious?

In fact, as greed set in, overtime shouldn't have been required. How did Wentz hold on to Scandrick's attempted strip sack? It defied physics. Dallas had three defenders right there ready to pick it up and score, looking around the like somebody lost their contact lens. The dadgum ball never appeared. Amazing.

Overtime by the grace of God.

Garrett then coached like he was playing craps with stolen money. He wasn't taking no as an answer, and he wasn't interested in seeing his defense take the field. A Romo-like jab, duck, spin, and rollout, and there stood Witten, getting mobbed by all 53.

Stack wins. Take them. Outplayed or whatever. These are the games help make seasons special and keep players off of airplanes in January. There's plenty to dissect and consider, but I'd rather just wear this smile for today.

Thanks, Philly. We gladly accept your generosity.

Nice post - love the colorful recap. A couple of points for me to add. I think the decision to punt instead of kicking the field goal was a bit of defensive hubris on Pederson's part. It was a classic playing not to lose decision and as we know all too well around these parts, doing that on the road is simply begging the football gods to rain down a scorched earth of thunderbolts in retribution for that coaching sin. Yes, he had confidence in his defense and the blitzes Schwartz had been dialing up to rattle Dak through nearly 3 quarters. What he underestimated was the kid's will and grit buoyed by Linehan finally changing the approach to one with max protect and beating their secondary's single coverage. I, for one, would have loved to see us attack their edges more as we've done successfully this entire season. Getting Zeke and Cole consistently in space should have been the obvious counter (along with going max protect) but I think the long early pass to Dez put dollar signs in our eyes at the crap table. Those adjustments were the offensive awakening we finally saw in the 4th quarter and OT.

What I would also say is how many times over the years have we been on the other side of inexplicable losses??? This was TOTALLY a game we would have lost in seasons' past as the "accident waiting to happen" that supposedly typifies this team (thank you Stephen A. Smith for that label). It was so great to see us come thru with an improbable win when the trend line for much of the game indicated otherwise.

I love this team's mental make up and never say die fortitude.

 

[erod]

Nice post - love the colorful recap. A couple of points for me to add. I think the decision to punt instead of kicking the field goal was a bit of defensive hubris on Pederson's part. It was a classic playing not to lose decision and as we know all too well around these parts, doing that on the road is simply begging the football gods to rain down a scorched earth of thunderbolts in retribution for that coaching sin. Yes, he had confidence in his defense and the blitzes Schwartz had been dialing up to rattle Dak through nearly 3 quarters. What he underestimated was the kid's will and grit buoyed by Linehan finally changing the approach to one with max protect and beating their secondary's single coverage. I, for one, would have loved to see us attack their edges more as we've done successfully this entire season. Getting Zeke and Cole consistently in space should have been the obvious counter (along with going max protect) but I think the long early pass to Dez put dollar signs in our eyes at the crap table. Those adjustments were the offensive awakening we finally saw in the 4th quarter and OT.

What I would also say is how many times over the years have we been on the other side of inexplicable losses??? This was TOTALLY a game we would have lost in seasons' past as the "accident waiting to happen" that supposedly typifies this team (thank you Stephen A. Smith for that label). It was so great to see us come thru with an improbable win when the trend line for much of the game indicated otherwise.

I love this team's mental make up and never say die fortitude.

It was eerily similar to last year's home opener against the Giants.

 

[wrongway]

Not sure I agree with that. We outgained them, and the defense played pretty good considering the position they were put in. Aside from the QB and special teams, I thought we looked like the much better team.

Totally agree with you re: the 53 yard field goal. He should have kicked that, because if he had made it that would have just about put the game out of reach.

Or they could have missed it giving Dallas great field position. We'll never know. We got it done when it mattered most vs their defense. Love it

 

[robbieruff]

I think Dallas is the better team by far, Especially on offense. The Cowboys kept the Eagles in the game with bad play from the special teams. Lucky was terrible and the penalties were atrocious. That inexcusable 12 man on the field penalty...again. How does that happen? Take Sproles off the field and I don't see very many explosive players on their offense. They have a good defense but I'll take the Cowboys roster over theirs any day of the week.

From what I gathered, that particular 12 men penalty was prompted by something the Eagles had done. Apparently Garrett was upset with the call because it was unclear initially if the eagles were kicking or going for it. They did a late sub and the Cowboys weren't allowed the time to do the same to counter their switch. That's at least what I gathered from the commentary (during the game and post game coverage).

What is troubling to me is it appears that The Packers game exposed something in that area - the whole 12 men thing - and other teams are trying to exploit. Rodgers nearly caught us about 3 times on that and the Eagles' staff appeared to try and do likewise. Whatever that is, we need to clean it up stat. It's a back breaker.

And yes. Special teams were KILLING US!?!

 

[robbieruff]

It was eerily similar to last year's home opener against the Giants.

Yes. Very good comparison. Hopefully we don't pay for this win in the same way we paid for that one last year!?! The price of that deal was high!?! Lol.

 

[John813]

Offensively, the Eagles were more consistent through the 4 quarters.

While not going for the big play at all, their gameplan is good enough to sneak out wins, with how well their defense is.

That third quarter was tough to watch. Offense out of a groove, and defensively we were having a hard time getting a third down stop.

Not sure I agree about outplayed, overall though. We had some highs and some lows. But ultimately made more plays to win the game.

Philly played not to lose at the end, and it looks like it cost them. Good.

 

[Gabe]

I too was puzzled by that punt call on our 35... Especially after drilling a 55 yarder TWICE to end the half. That was mind-boggling to me, but I'll take it. I think they underestimated Dak and it cost them.

 

[Satchel89]

From what I gathered, that particular 12 men penalty was prompted by something the Eagles had done. Apparently Garrett was upset with the call because it was unclear initially if the eagles were kicking or going for it. They did a late sub and the Cowboys weren't allowed the time to do the same to counter their switch. That's at least what I gathered from the commentary (during the game and post game coverage).

What is troubling to me is it appears that The Packers game exposed something in that area - the whole 12 men thing - and other teams are trying to exploit. Rodgers nearly caught us about 3 times on that and the Eagles' staff appeared to try and do likewise. Whatever that is, we need to clean it up stat. It's a back breaker.

And yes. Special teams were KILLING US!?!

Definitely. I'm the biggest fan of Lucky but he's bad as a punt returner. I don't know what the deal is but he looks awkward and I'm holding my breath when I see him back there now.

 

[robbieruff]

Definitely. I'm the biggest fan of Lucky but he's bad as a punt returner. I don't know what the deal is but he looks awkward and I'm holding my breath when I see him back there now.

Yeah. Decision making in the return game has not been his strong suit. Frankly I was surprised to see him in there when he caught the punt inside the 10. That's usually when Cole comes in to either fair catch it or let it bounce for a touch back. And we were VERY fortunate that he didn't lose that fumble on the game's first play!!!! I think we should consider some different options if he continues his trend line. He's going to cost us a game soon if not.

 

[Diehardblues]

I agree Philly looked like they were going to put the game away leading 23-13 running it down our throats initially and based on how Dak had played I didn't see the 4th qtr comeback coming.

But we did have a great opportunity to take the lead heading into halftime so we were really only dominated in the 3rd qtr. After the interception I was wishing Romo was suited up.

I also think the defense is due their credit for keeping us in the game but ultimately Dak deserves the most credit as he passes the test again after having a Rookie type performance most of the game finishing with a Romo type performance some fans have been looking for.

Up until the 4th I was telling everyone looks like Romo will be returning against Browns but Jerry immediately dispelled those thoughts or should I say Dak buried those thoughts.

I agree with some of the OP thoughts on Phillys coaching but in the end we made the plays needed to win on offense and defense. And Dak passed the test again. I'm just not sure when there's going to be a window open for Romo to return if this isn't it.

And I'm not totally convinced he shouldn't return. I kept thinking with Romo in there this game might not have been as close but the mobility of Dak reminds me of the playmaking ability of Romo in his earlier years and against defenses like this it's a must.

Maybe we are making the right decision?

 

[Diehardblues]

This is more the game I was watching. But I gotta hand it to erod because he did a really nice job of telling his version, too.

He always does but the objective was to not make Dak the hero which as much as there were some questionable calls on Philly, gambling by Garrett, defense stepping up in the end it was about Dak overcoming and bringing us back in the 4th qtr. Dak separated himself as a difference maker when the game is on the line in a clutch situation . He wasn't just handing the ball off to leagues leading rusher and hiding behind the best OL.

 

[DanTanna]

Fans get confused when they see Wentz complete tons of 4 yard passes and they think it is a success. It isn't, he has to do so many of those he'll fail eventually and he did fail. I'll give them everything between the 20s. What did we have, 9 tackles for loss. Great D.

 

[Diehardblues]

I too was puzzled by that punt call on our 35... Especially after drilling a 55 yarder TWICE to end the half. That was mind-boggling to me, but I'll take it. I think they underestimated Dak and it cost them.

It was about field position . At the end of the half that's not an issue.

 

[ShiningStar]

a win is a win is a win and they dont take them away.

 

[Longboysfan]

The Cowboys had no answer to Sproles.

If Philly keep using him like that - amount of touches and corresponding hits - he will be impared a bit by the end of the season.