It couldn't have started any worse. But somehow, the Eagles climbed out of a hole and were in position to claim a victory. And just when the momentum shifted, the Eagles let the Cowboys jump right back in.
The Eagles erased a 21-point deficit only to let the Cowboys storm back with a 17 more points in a 38-27 loss to Dallas on Sunday night at Lincoln Financial Field.
The game could not have started worse for the Eagles as Josh Huff and Brad Smith had a miscommunication on the opening kickoff, allowing the ball to drop in live and be recovered by Dallas at the Eagles 18-yard line.
The Cowboys needed five plays to get the 18 yards, capped by a one-yard touchdown for DeMarco Murray.
Dallas charged down the field on the next drive and scored on a four-yard pass from Tony Romo to Dez Bryant. The Cowboys hit Bryant again on their next drive for a 26-yard touchdown.
The Eagles finally managed an answer mid-way through the second, capping an 11-play, 84-yard drive with a five-yard touchdown run for Chris Polk.
The Eagles also added a Cody Parkey field goal at the end of the half from 47 yards to cut the lead to 11.
The Eagles made an early stop in the second and scored on their first possession, driving 86 yards on seven plays. Jeremy Maclin got 72 of those yards on a 3rd and 12 catch and run. Polk charged in from one yard out for the score.
A Dallas fumble recovered by Fletcher Cox gave the Eagles short field on their next possession. It took three plays for the Eagles to gain the 13 yards, with Darren Sproles getting the touchdown on a one-yard run.
But on the Cowboys next possession, they went 78 yards in eight plays as Murray went for a two-yard touchdown to give Dallas the lead again.
Mark Sanchez was intercepted at the Eagles 42 on the next possession, and Dallas took the ball back to the endzone on four plays, capped with Bryant's third touchdown catch of the night for 25 yards.
The Eagles cut the lead to eight with a 43-yard field goal early in the fourth and got the ball back with a chance to tie the game on the next possession. But a costly fumble by Brent Celek went back to Dallas.
The Cowboys added a field goal on that drive and were able to stop the Eagles last two possessions.
The Cowboys finished with 364 total yards compared to 294 yards for the Eagles. The Eagles had four turnovers compared to one for Dallas.
Sanchez was 17-for-28 for 252 yards and two interceptions. LeSean McCoy rushed for 64 yards on 16 carries. Polk's two carries both went for touchdowns. Maclin and Celek tied for the team lead with four catches. Maclin led the team with 98 yards.
Connor Barwin led the Eagles with nine tackles and had one of the Eagles three sacks. Cedric Thornton and Vinny Curry also had sacks. Curry forced the Dallas fumble that was recovered by Cox.
Romo was 22-for-31 for 265 yards and three touchdowns. Murray was held to 81 yards rushing on 31 carries but had two touchdowns. Bryant had 114 yards on six catches and three touchdowns.
Barry Church led the Cowboys with eight tackles. Bruce Carter and J.J. Wilcox each had interceptions. Jeremy Mincey and Tyrone Crawford had two sacks.
The Eagles fall into second place in the NFC East at 9-5, trailing the 10-4 Cowboys. The Eagles close the season with back-to-back road games. The first is on Saturday in Washington against the Redskins. Kickoff is at 4:30 p.m.
Kevin Durso is managing editor for Eagledelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.
