Dallas shocks the Eagles

By Darrell Laurant | Monday, October 10, 2005 | ( 0 )

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It wasn't even close. But then, that's the NFL for you.

The Dallas Cowboys not only beat the defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles 33-10 in Texas Stadium Sunday. They manhandled them on the stat sheet, as well.

Bill Parcells' team had 26 first downs, Philadelphia 6. In total yards, it was 458-129, Dallas. The Cowboys also thoroughly dominated time of possession, 40 minutes to 19.

Never mind that the Philadelphia Eagles had won 9 of the previous 10 meetings between the two teams. On Sunday, it was no contest.

The Dallas Cowboys scored the first two touchdowns of the game on 15 and 38-yard yard passes from Drew Bledsoe to Terry Glenn, Bledsoe's old battery mate in New England, and it was 27-3 at halftime.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys defense showed no mercy to Philadelphia QB Donovan McNabb, hurting from chest and shin injuries and a sports hernia, sacking him four times. McNabb spiked the football in frustration on one occasion, flung his helmet on another. His favorite receiver, Terrell Owens, was 5 of 50, with no touchdowns, and RB Brian Westbrook had only six carries.

Parcells, known for his conservative style, rolled the dice on fourth down three times, twice during the Cowboys' second drive of the game. The third time, in the third quarter, produced a 12-yard touchdown pass from Bledsoe to fullback Lousaka Polite, who had touched the balk only once all year.

Not even an injury to RB Julius Jones, who gained 70 yards before intermission, slowed Dallas down. Backup Tyson Thompson, who had gained 39 yards all season, came on and rushed for 75 in the second half. And place kicker Jose Cortez, filling in for the injured Billy Cundiff, kicked four field goals.

Both teams emerged from the contest 3-2.

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