10/31/11 Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Eagles notebook

Out to prove a point, Eagles set tone early on offense

Posted Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011

By Aaron Bracy

Special to the Star-Telegram

PHILADELPHIA — Rob Ryan likely is eating his words today.

The Cowboys’ defensive coordinator called the Eagles the “all-hype team” in the preseason, adding that Dallas would “beat their [butt]” when the teams played in the regular season.

But the Eagles’ offense spanked the Cowboys’ defense in a dominating first-half performance in which Philadelphia outscored Dallas 24-0 on its way to a 34-7 win Sunday night.

Philadelphia set the tone on the opening series when Michael Vick’s 12-yard TD pass to Jeremy Maclin capped an 8-play, 79-yard drive that gave the Eagles their first TD on an opening drive this season.

And it continued from there for the Eagles, who outgained Dallas 324-94 in the opening 30 minutes.

Philadelphia had 20 first downs, to Dallas’ four, and Philadelphia running back LeSean McCoy gained 95 yards on 13 carries (7.3 per carry) before the break on the top-ranked rushing defense in the NFL.

McCoy finished with 185 yards on 30 carries, both career highs.

Prior to the break, Vick went 13 for 17 for 187 yards and a pair of TDs. Tony Romo struggled and connected for just 36 yards on 4 of 8 completions.

On the opening TD, the Cowboys were coming on a blitz and Vick threw to Maclin in the left flat.

All Maclin needed was a block from left tackle Jason Peters on cornerback Mike Jenkins to walk into the end zone.

Philadelphia took a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter on McCoy’s 2-yard plunge that capped a 7-play, 90-yard march. Philadelphia ran the ball six times on the drive and five of the runs went for 11 yards or more, including McCoy’s 34-yard scamper to the 2.

The Eagles caught the Cowboys in a blitz and Dallas got a touchdown-saving tackle from Gerald Sensabaugh one play before the TD.

On Dallas’ ensuing possession, Nnamdi Asomugha picked off a Romo pass on a nice diving reception after linebacker Moise Fokou batted the ball out of the hands of Martellus Bennett.

About the only thing to go wrong for the Eagles in the opening half was a bad snap by center Jason Kelce, but even that turned out fine for the hosts.

Kelce snapped the ball into his own backside with Vick waiting in the shotgun.

An alert Vick jumped on the ball and, two plays later, connected with tight end Brent Celek for a 9-yard TD to give Philadelphia a 21-0 lead 4:47 into the second quarter.

Alex Henery’s 23-yard field goal with 1:49 left in the half capped the scoring for the Eagles.

Sack attack

The Eagles sacked Tony Romo twice on the Cowboys’ opening possession, ruining Dallas’ excellent field position on a drive that started at the Dallas 45.

Rookie Tyron Smith was beaten on both sacks, the first by Jason Babin followed by Trevor Laws. The Eagles entered tied for sixth in the league with 18 sacks and finished with three in the opening half and four for the game.

Trent Cole, who returned to the lineup after missing the previous two games with a calf injury, sacked Romo late in the first half for Philadelphia’s third sack of the half.

Challenges won

Eagles coach Andy Reid successfully challenged Laurent Robinson’s acrobatic catch, causing the 31-yard reception midway through the second quarter to be overturned.

The officials ruled that Robinson stepped out of bounds on the play while reaching around Asante Samuel to bobble and then catch the ball.

Reid also won a second-half challenge on a play in which the officials erred by calling a Michael Vick throw a backward pass.

 

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