Philadelphia Eagles Get Wings Clipped In Overtime

The Philadelphia Eagles lose a heartbreaker in overtime to the NFC East-leading Dallas Cowboys.

The Philadelphia Eagles always find ways to make games interesting, for better or worse. This one was no different.  The rivalry with the Dallas Cowboys had a new twist to it. Both teams were entering the game with rookie quarterbacks who have taken the spotlight in the league.

The game of course was a close one. With the lead going back and forth between two NFC East powerhouses. The game also entered overtime, the second time in two seasons.

Carson Wentz and Dak Prescott performed decent, but the running backs stole the show. Darren Sproles and Ezekiel Elliot carried the load on the offense, but in the end it was Elliot who had the last laugh.

The First Half

The Philadelphia Eagles offense was sluggish. The defense was non-existent, yet they still found a way to stay in the game. Dallas’ first drive of the game was snuffed by the Eagles defense fairly quickly. Marcus Smith ended the Cowboys drive after 6 plays with a sack on the rookie Dak Prescott.

The Eagles responded with a long drive that was set up by Carson Wentz dump passes and Darren Sproles runs. The drive looked to be on the verge of a touchdown until Nelson Agholor dropped a quick slant pass, setting the Eagles up for a field goal.

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After a 5:11 offensive drive, it seemed like the Eagles defense would come out strong and rested. That was moot as Dez Bryant caught a 53-yard pass on the second play of the drive. That set up a Dak Prescott rushing touchdown in the red zone and the Philadelphia Eagles were down 7-3.

The Eagles offense was stagnant for much of the first half, with Wentz only attempting 3 passes that traveled 10+ yards or more. The Cowboys stopped the Eagles and put points on the board going up 10-3.

It seemed like Doug Pederson reverted back to his old style of play calling that worked so well in the first three weeks of the season. The commitment to the run lead to a an easy Ryan Mathews goal-line touchdown, and momentum suddenly swung towards Philadelphia.

The Cowboys were primed for a late half touchdown. Dak Prescott took a 2nd and goal play and threw it right into the chest of Jordan Hicks for an interception. Carson Wentz was then able to make some tough passes to Nelson Agholor, Darren Sproles, and Dorial Green-Beckham. Green-Beckham brought in a catch and stepped out with one second left, setting up Caleb Sturgis for a 55-yard field goal.

He hit his first attempt, but Jason Garrett called a timeout to ice him. Sturgis once again hit it with ease after the timeout, and the Eagles went up 13-10 despite looking ineffective throughout the half.

Second Half

The first drives for each team was cut short. The Eagles second drive was Chip Kelly-esque, running a no-huddle for most of the drive. This kept a tired Dallas defense on the field, and just when the drive looked like it was slowing down, a late hit penalty on Hitchens kept the drive alive for Philadelphia.

Carson Wentz was methodical the rest of the series, finding Sproles on a screen and Agholor on a slant. This led to a Wentz to Matthews touchdown over the middle. The Eagles went up 20-10. The touchdown pass set an Eagles rookie record.

The Cowboys were in need of a response. The Philadelphia Eagles were dominating the offense and forced a quick fourth down. What seemed like a point where the Eagles could put the game out of reach, Dallas faked the punt and picked up a first.

Ezekiel Elliot literally carried people on his way towards the red zone. The Eagles defense forced a 3rd and goal, where Prescott threw what should of been an interception but an offensive pass interference saved the Cowboys from losing points. 20-13 Eagles.

On the following kickoff, Josh Huff had a huge return that put the Philadelphia Eagles on the opposing 45-yard line. Wentz immediately through for a first down to Zach Ertz as the fast-paced offense continued. He followed that with a 10-yard completion to Jordan Matthews. The series took a nosedive as the Cowboys line brought pressure. Sturgis once again hits another field goal. 23-13 Eagles.

After a good defensive stint, Wendell Smallwood fumbled his first carry of the game, setting up Dallas with great scoring position. The Eagles defense held strong holding the Cowboys to yet another field goal. 23-16 Eagles.

Much of the fourth seemed to be controlled by refs. With some questionable calls in key moments on both sides. Dallas started to drive with around 5-minutes left in the game. The Philadelphia Eagles defense started to bend, giving up key rushes to Elliot and Prescott. The passing game for the Cowboys was underwhelming, but the versatility on offense is what troubled the Eagles.

Prescott’s ability to run set up the Cowboys with a fresh set of downs. He then was able to connect with Dez Bryant for a jump ball touchdown. The game was tied at 23-23.

This is where Carson Wentz had to shine. 3 minutes left in the game, and the rookie had his chance to prove his worth. The first play was an 8-yard run by Sproles. The second, a screen to Jordan Matthews for a 3-yard loss. This set up the Eagles with a crucial 3rd and 5.

Wentz threw a laser to Trey Burton, who couldn’t bring it in through good coverage. The game on the line. To Trey Burton. Donnie Jones followed up with his worst punt of the night putting Dallas at their own 30. Jim Schwartz brought pressure, forcing three bad Prescott passes.

The Philadelphia Eagles escaped. Their rookie was given another chance to seal the game.

The drive started off with a Green-Beckham pass interference, then followed with a sack on Wentz. The Eagles were at a tough 2nd and 26. Wentz connected with Matthews on a short pass, setting up 3rd and 19. The next play, Wentz avoided one sack before getting drilled from behind, somehow holding on to the ball.

Jones blasted a punt, putting the Cowboys at the 40-yard line. A holding penalty on the play pushed Dallas back to the 30. Prescott and the Cowboys had another chance to ice the game. A huge sack ran the clock on regulation. Doug Pederson elected to not use one of his two remaining timeouts to get the ball back, sending the game into overtime.

Overtime

The Philadelphia Eagles lost the coin toss, because of course. Prescott found his groove, connecting with Cole Beasley on multiple occasions. The Eagles were able to stop Elliot on 3rd and short, and the Cowboys were left to decide on what to do.

Prescott barely got the first on a quarterback sneak. Elliot followed it with a 13-yard run. The Cowboys were in the red zone. On 1st and goal, Prescott was stopped before the line on a read option. On second and goal, Jason Witten was wide open in the end zone, and the Eagles lost.

Next: Staff Predictions

Top Eagles Performers:

Darren Sproles: 15 carries, 85 yards.

Nigel Bradham: 11 total tackles, 8 solo.