Post by rainman on Nov 5, 2007 9:24:05 GMT -5
Cowboys flying high after routing Eagles
Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA -- Terrell Owens stuck it to the Philadelphia Eagles again.
Nearly two years to the day Owens was banished from the Eagles, the star receiver caught 10 passes for 174 yards and one touchdown to help the Dallas Cowboys dismantle Philadelphia 38-17 on Sunday night.
Tony Romo threw three TD passes, Marion Barber had 106 total yards and one score and NFC East-leading Dallas improved to 7-1 for the first time since 1995, their last Super Bowl winning seaso
"This has always been our toughest road challenge because the fans are so passionate here," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. "To have a game like this was surprising."
Desperately needing a victory to have any hope of defending their division championship, the last-place Eagles (3-5) were dominated on both sides.
It's the worst start for Philadelphia since Andy Reid became coach in 1999. Reid had a tumultuous week, missing practice Thursday to be in court with his two oldest sons. A judge sentenced Garrett and Britt Reid to prison and likened Reid's home to a "drug emporium."
Owens, of all people, had sympathy for his former boss who kicked him off the team on Nov. 5, 2005, following a series of incidents, including repeated criticism of quarterback Donovan McNabb.
"It's tragic for him to go through this," Owens said. "I can't do anything but wish him well."
Right from the start, it was clear Reid and the Eagles were in for a tough night.
McNabb fumbled on the first play from scrimmage, and the Cowboys converted it into their first score, a 2-yard run by Julius Jones.
Owens had a key 23-yard catch on third-and-6 during that drive, and tormented the Eagles all night.
Unlike his visit to Philadelphia last year, T.O.'s second trip to Lincoln Financial Field since he was booted off the team he helped take to the 2004 Super Bowl was merely an afterthought.
There were no mock funerals in the parking lot or derisive chants in the stands. Even the boos lacked venom.
"Like I said earlier in the week, there's a lot of love in those boos," Owens said with a wide smile. "As you saw, I didn't get that many boos. The fans love me here."
Once the Cowboys went up by 14 late in the second quarter, Owens tried hard to incite the rowdies. He strutted along the sideline, flapping his arms and yelling at the crowd behind the bench.
Dukes' take: Family first
Andy Reid is a great coach with an impeccable reputation around the NFL. There always will be a place for him on the sidelines in this league.
Unfortunately, I believe Andy is trying to prove wrong the people who have said he is not focused and should take a leave of absence. I just pray Andy is not trying to hold on to the Eagles' head coaching gig over his first priority, which is raising his family.
The NFL Network's Jamie Dukes explains further ... Column.But the disappointed Philly faithful were too angry at their own team to worry about Owens' antics. So, they directed their boos at the Eagles as they ran off the field.
It got uglier after halftime when Dallas increased its lead to 28-7 on the first drive of the third quarter. Owens turned a short pass from Romo into a 45-yard TD catch.
Known for his flamboyant celebrations, Owens didn't rub it in all that much. He just flapped his arms again the way he used to when he was catching passes from McNabb.
After Jason Witten caught a 20-yard TD pass to make it 35-10 in the third quarter, the stadium emptied. No one wanted to stay around and watch Owens celebrate anymore.
"It was just one of those nights," Eagles defensive end Trent Cole said. "A team came in here and beat us on our own home field. It's tough."
While the Eagles try to figure out how to save a season that began with high expectations, the Cowboys are getting ready for an important matchup at the New York Giants (6-2) next Sunday.
Romo, who last week signed a six-year, $67.5-million contract extension, finished 20-for-25 for 324 yards and had one interception. He became the first quarterback the Eagles didn't sack this season.
After Brian Westbrook's 3-yard TD run tied it at 7, Romo tossed a 1-yard TD pass to Tony Curtis to give Dallas a 14-7 lead it never relinquished. Barber set up the score with gains of 22 and 14 yards on consecutive screens and a 16-yard run to the Eagles 1.
Philly's defense got a turnover late in the second quarter when Lito Sheppard stepped in front of Romo's pass to Patrick Crayton and intercepted it at the Eagles
The Eagles were left to look for answers after the Cowboys handed them a 38-17 loss Sunday. More ... Howevr, McNabb was picked by Ken Hamlin three plays later and the Cowboys started at Philly's 14 after a 14-yard return. Barber ran three straight plays, scoring from the 5 to give Dallas a 21-7 lead.
No team had scored more than 21 points against the Eagles in the first seven games, and a revamped defense had allowed just eight touchdowns in 77 possessions.
Dallas racked up 437 total yards and reached the end zone five of its nine drives, excluding the kneel-downs at the end of the game.
Westbrook tied a team record with 14 catches for 90 yards. Don Looney also had 14 receptions for Philadelphia at Washington on Dec. 1, 1940.
McNabb had a difficult game against a tenacious defense. He was harassed often and hammered into the ground a few times. The five-time Pro Bowl QB was 27-for-46 for 264 yards, one TD, two interceptions and he was sacked three times.
"There's no room for error," McNabb said. "We have to win these next couple games. Our mind-set can't be what's going to happen when we get to the playoffs. We just have to focus on winning the next couple games."
Notes: Cowboys coach Wade Phillips appointed Owens one of the captains for the game. ... Owens moved into 12th place ahead of Jimmy Smith on the all-time list with 12,445 yards receiving. ... All-Pro safety Brian Dawkins returned for Philadelphia after missing five games with a neck stinger. ... Sheppard left with a knee injury and didn't return.
