Adrian Fedkiw
The Dallas Cowboys now know what it feels like to be Golden Stated.
Or Philadelphia Eagled, whatever you prefer.
The Eagles ran for 180 of their 215 rushing yards in the second half, pummeling the Cowboys 30-0 over the final 30 minutes en route to a 37-9 shellacking.
It was a complete reversal from the opening two quarters of play when Philadelphia ended the first half with five straight three-and-outs — one when Jake Elliott missed 34-yarder after the Eagles failed to move the ball. Carson Wentz was just 7-of-18 and the running backs carried the ball 10 times for a measly 35 yards in the first half.
The Eagles entered the locker room trailing 9-7 and Doug Pederson made all of the necessary adjustments. They ran the ball a lot more and finally exploited the absence of Sean Lee at linebacker. The Birds toted the rock 23 times as opposed to just nine Wentz tosses and recorded a trio of touchdowns on their first three offense series in the second half.
They began the third frame with an 8-play, 75-yard march and gained 29 yards on five carries. Philly converted a pair of third downs, one a throwback tight end screen to Brent Celek for 28 yards on a 3rd-and-1 and another an 18-yard completion to Alshon Jeffery on a 3rd-and-9. Corey Clement capped the drive with an 11-yard score and hauled in the subsequent two-point conversion as well for a 15-9 lead.
Beautifully executed drive to start the 2nd half!! A pair of 3rd down conversions and Clement showing more and more each week. Scores from 11 yards out and gets in the for the 2-point conversion as well. 5 of 8 plays were runs for a total of 29 yds. pic.twitter.com/34H8PiA9Eb
— The Bitter Birds (@AdrianFedkiw) November 20, 2017
On the Eagles’ next touch, Jay Ajayi busted one for 71 yards on the second play of the drive.
CHOO CHOO!!! pic.twitter.com/QnSiwHuwNo
— The Bitter Birds (@AdrianFedkiw) November 20, 2017
Torrey Smith, who had a crucial drop in the first half on a crossing route for a would-be first down, was able to snag this 11-yard reception from Wentz for a touchdown.
Torrey Smith didn't drop that one! pic.twitter.com/4tFnpLvmoE
— The Bitter Birds (@AdrianFedkiw) November 20, 2017
And how about the elusiveness of Wentz to elude two Cowboys on his scramble to the right before finding Jeffery for the two-point conversion. That increased the advantage to 23-9 at the 5:40 mark of the third.
Great job by Wentz to elude two would-be tacklers on the scramble to the right before finding Jeffery for the 2 points pic.twitter.com/6aVVJ3yXPk
— The Bitter Birds (@AdrianFedkiw) November 20, 2017
Then came the game-clinching drive early in the fourth. LeGarrette Bount broke off a 30-yard run and Jeffery corralled this 17-yard touchdown on a 4th-and-5 to make it 29-9. The Eagles weren’t able to dial up the proper two-point play this time.
Without a kicker the Eagles have converted 2/3 2-point conversions and this 4th-and-5 for a 17-yard TD to Jeffery. Assuming Elliott would've made 3 extra points and a FG, Eagles have gained 1 extra point by going for 2 pts and 3 by getting that TD instead of a FG. +4 extra pic.twitter.com/AKSsAD8EqO
— The Bitter Birds (@AdrianFedkiw) November 20, 2017
Derek Barnett and Nigel Bradham then teamed up to put the nail in the Cowboys’ coffin. Barnett had two sacks, including this strip-sack when he showcased beautiful shoulder dip before bending the edge and getting to Dak Prescott. Bradham then picked up the loose ball and took it to the house. Trey Burton’s two-point conversion accounted for the final margin.
Beautiful shoulder dip by Barnett, bends the edge for the strip-sack, Bradham with the scoop-and-score! pic.twitter.com/ymyNXxMfHR
— The Bitter Birds (@AdrianFedkiw) November 20, 2017
Without a kicker, Jake Elliott exited with a concussion in the first half, the Eagles converted 3-of-4 two-point tries and the 4th-and-5 they went for in field-goal range wound up being a 17-yard score to Jeffery. Assuming Elliott would’ve made those four extra points and that field goal, Philadelphia wound up gaining five extra points. Kamu Grugier-Hill did a tremendous job on the kickoffs.
Wentz didn’t have his best night, but still tossed two touchdowns. Prescott on the other hand looked like a deer in headlights again after turning the ball over four times and being sacked four. Rodney McLeod, Ronald Darby and Malcolm Jenkins all had interceptions, while Timmy Jernigan and Brandon Graham joined Barnett in the sack column with one apiece.
Ronald Darby with the pick! pic.twitter.com/eAITCs0co2
— The Bitter Birds (@AdrianFedkiw) November 20, 2017
Speaking of Darby, he was sensational in his first game since Week 1 and coming off his brutal dislocated ankle injury. He did a great job when matched up on Dez Bryant, making solid tackles and breaking up a few passes when Prescott targeted him.
It's nice to have Ronald Darby back!! pic.twitter.com/zzJM97dWmW
— The Bitter Birds (@AdrianFedkiw) November 20, 2017
And you can’t say enough about Patrick Robinson, who limited the shifty Cole Beasley to seven yards on two receptions. This pass breakup on Beasley running this quick out was textbook.
The shifty Cole Beasley has given Eagles slot CBs fits the last few years, this was an outstanding pass breakup by Patrick Robinson. Wow! pic.twitter.com/V4Al8kMoD5
— The Bitter Birds (@AdrianFedkiw) November 20, 2017
Then he did this against Bryant when the Eagles went with an all-out blitz and left Robinson on an island.
Eagles bring the heat and Robinson outstanding coverage on the shot to the end zone to Dez. Can't say enough about Robinson's play this year! pic.twitter.com/ADbL8BbfpT
— The Bitter Birds (@AdrianFedkiw) November 20, 2017
Jernigan, by the way, worth every penny. This play of him stonewalling a pair of Cowboys linemen to stuff a 3rd-and-2 was outstanding.
Timmy Jernigan just stonewalled a double-team with ease, he's worth every penny!! pic.twitter.com/GpVtxGBdIE
— The Bitter Birds (@AdrianFedkiw) November 20, 2017
The Eagles expanded their lead over the Cowboys to four games in the NFC East with six games to play. The magic number to win the division is down to two.