Eagles Get Big Win In Big 'D'
Dallas (CBS)—DeSean Jackson can get away with the backward touchdown splash into the end zone. He's so special, so much faster than almost every player in the NFL, the Eagles' explosive wide receiver can pretty much get away with anything—or from anyone—even running on a sprained, throbbing left ankle.
In recent years, the Dallas Cowboys have done a good job putting the clamps on Jackson. Not so before a national TV audience Sunday night, when Jackson erupted for career-best 210 yards receiving (52.5 yards/per catch), including a 91-yard TD reception (the NFL's longest touchdown play from scrimmage this season), in the Eagles' 30-27 victory over Dallas.
The victory gives the Eagles sole possession of first place in the NFC East Division with a 9-4 record (3-1 in the NFC East) heading into their NFC East showdown with the New York Giants next Sunday.
"I'm proud of our guys for hanging in there, we kept the football and we pounded it down the stretch there," Eagles' coach Andy Reid said.
For the second-straight game, the Eagles came back in the fourth quarter to win. The Eagles' secondary of Dimitri Patterson, Nate Allen, Quintin Mikell and Trevard Lindley. Patterson and Mikell had interceptions, and for the most part, did a credible in holding down the Cowboys' receivers.
The left side of the Eagles' offensive line also shined, tackle Jason Peters and guard Todd Herremans, playing perhaps his best game this season, created gaping holes for LeSean McCoy, who rushed for a career-best 149 yards on 16 carries—including a 56-yard run, and squeezing precious seconds off the clock late in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter. Herremans even scored a touchdown, a two-yard TD reception from Michael Vick, Herremans' second in his NFL career.
"We were able to get the ball in not-great field position, and the guys were able to put one together and sustain a drive like that is a beautiful thing," Reid said. "Overall, I'm proud of the guys. We've had a lot of change over with this football team, and I'm enjoying it because it's an NFC East victory."
But the largest star by far was Jackson, who finished with four catches for 210 yards and a touchdown. His 60-yard and 37-yard receptions set up the Eagles first two scores. His 210 yards receiving was the third-highest in Eagles' history for yards receiving in a game—and he did it on a swollen, heavily taped left ankle.
Jackson—and the Eagles—got back at Dallas, for the three games the Cowboys won last year against the Eagles.
Jackson has had his problems with the Cowboys, since torching Dallas for six catches and 110 yards in an Eagles' 41-37 loss at Dallas on Sept. 15, 2008—Jackson's first game against the Cowboys. Since then, he's caught seven passes for 112 yards. A 16-yard per/catch average still looks impressive. But that average has steadily dropped. Jackson was nonexistent in last year's playoff loss, catching three passes for 14 yards, averaging 4.67 yards a catch (his career average is 17.43 yards a catch).
The Eagles made sure this game would be different—much different. On the first play of the game, Vick rolled right left and went deep to Jackson for a 60-yard connection. Five plays later, Vick rambled into the end zone from a yard out on a quarterback draw.
Vick went 16-for-26, for 270 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions—one came on a tipped ball that Eagles' receiver Jeremy Maclin.
The Eagles actually out-rushed Dallas, 171 to 110. The Cowboys had averaged 33.3 points a game since Jason Garrett took over as head coach. Most of that production had been the result of an improved rushing attack, producing 595 yards the previous four games. The Eagles stuffed that Sunday night.
Eagles Notes: Head Coach Andy Reid won his 127th career game (including playoffs), tying him with Mike Ditka for 24th place in NFL history … The Eagles have won ten of their last 12 prime time games (5-0 in 2010) … Reid improved his December record to 34-15 (.694), including wins in 12 of their last 13 games … The Eagles won their ninth game of the year, securing their ninth winning season in 12 years under Reid. Since 2000, only New England (10) has had more winning seasons. Pittsburgh and Indianapolis have also had nine … The Eagles own a 52-2 record since 1999 when scoring 30-plus points (5-0 in 2010) … WR DeSean Jackson had 210 receiving yards, the third-highest single-game output in team history behind Tommy McDonald's 237 on 12/10/61 and Kevin Curtis's 221 on 9/23/07. It was also the fourth-highest in the NFL this season … His 91-yard touchdown reception tied for the fifth-longest in team history … It was Jackson's fourth 100-yard receiving game of the season and the 11th of his career. He passed Irving Fryar and Bobby Walston (10 apiece) for the 10th most in team history … Jackson's 166 receptions are the third-most ever by an Eagle in his first three seasons (Charle Young – 167 from 1973-75; Keith Jackson – 194 from 1988-90) … Jackson became the eighth player in NFL history to eclipse 900 receiving yards in each of his first three seasons, joining Gary Clark (1985-87), Joey Galloway (1995-97), Ernest Givins (1986-88), Bob Hayes (1965-67), John Jefferson (1978-80), Randy Moss (1998-00) and Jerry Rice (1985-87) … RB LeSean McCoy registered his third 100-yard rushing performance of the season after amassing a career-high 149 yards … He now has 2,455 scrimmage yards in his career, surpassing DeSean Jackson (2,312) for the most ever by an Eagle in his first two seasons … McCoy and Maurice Jones Drew are the only two players with at least 120 scrimmage yards in each of the last four games … McCoy has eclipsed 100 yards from scrimmage in nine of 13 contests this season … G/T Todd Herremans caught his second-career touchdown, the most ever for an Eagles offensive lineman. Herremans also had a one-yard touchdown reception on 11/2/08 at Seattle. According to Stats, Inc., the only other Eagles offensive lineman with a touchdown is Bob Gonya in 1934 … Herremans became the eighth Eagle with a touchdown reception this season … The Eagles scored a touchdown on their initial possession for the seventh time this season and lead the league with 49 opening-drive points. They are 15-1 over the last two years when doing so and 7-0 in 2010 … QB Michael Vick threw for 270 yards and two touchdowns, and added his seventh rushing touchdown of the season, the highest single-season total ever by an Eagles quarterback … Vick's passer rating has exceeded 90 in nine of the 10 games he has played this season … Vick connected with Jackson on a 60-yard bomb on the opening play from scrimmage. It was the third 60-plus yard opening play by the Eagles in the last six games … The Eagles have two players (Vick, McCoy) with seven rushing touchdowns this season for the first time since 2003 when Brian Westbrook had 7 and Correll Buckhalter had 8 … S Quintin Mikell picked up his second interception of the season and CB Dimitri Patterson notched his fourth … DE Darryl Tapp tallied his third sack of the season … Over the last two years, the Eagles have forced 68 takeaways, which is the highest two-year total by an Eagles team since forcing 71 from 2001-02. … K David Akers has connected on 23 of his last 24 field goal attempts and 11 in a row … His 50 yard field goal was his longest of the season … The Eagles have averaged at least 4.0 yards per carry in all 13 games this season, which is the longest streak in NFL history to start a season … Philadelphia has not allowed a 300 yard passer in back-to-back games since 1990, which is the second-longest such streak in the NFL behind the Washington Redskins, who have not allowed it to happen since 1989.
Reported by: Joseph Santoliquito
