November 09, 2015
After getting criticized heavily for weeks, Jordan Matthews saved the Philadelphia Eagles’ season. In overtime against division the rival Dallas Cowboys, the second-year receiver hauled in a 41-yard touchdown pass in overtime. The Eagles probably ended the Cowboys' season, and now sit at 4-4 with a couple of home games up next. Here’s what I saw:
• The big play on the Eagles’ 95-yard touchdown drive in the third quarter was a #WheelRoute from Sam Bradford to DeMarco Murray that went for 44 big yards. Sean Lee left the game, and Chip Kelly exploited his replacement right away.
• The jury is still very much out on Kelly’s first two draft picks, but the Eagles nailed the third one. After knocking out Tony Romo in Week 2 (on a clean hit), Jordan Hicks picked off Matt Cassel and ran it back to the house. The rookie has showed up against the Cowboys.
• Huge third down pass breakup by E.J. Biggers against Cole Beasley to hold Dallas to a field goal and a 24-24 score.
• Caleb Sturgis, in a critical spot, from 53 yards out, money. Never a doubt!
• Credit where it's due to Sam Bradford, who played maybe his best game as an Eagle: 25-36, 296 yards, 1 touchdown, and most importantly, NO PICKS. He got better as the game moved along, too.
• Malcolm Jenkins has been very good this season, but he got worked in the slot by Beasley on Dallas’ tying 80-yard touchdown drive in the third quarter. The 17-yard touchdown pass from Matt Cassel to Beasley was way too easy.
• On that note, tweet of the night right here (from a guy who can’t get on the field across the state):
🕵
— Brandon Boykin (@BrandonBoykin2) November 9, 2015
• There were a ton of mistakes on this play from the Eagles’ perspective (and maybe a few missed holding calls on Dallas!), but even in Philly, we have to admit that Dez Bryant is really good:
Stunned that Byron Jones came back into the game after one play. Must have a really good training staff over there!
— Rich Hofmann (@rich_hofmann) November 9, 2015
• Huge stop on third and one? Great. Ridiculous taunting penalty to give the Cowboys 15 yards and a fresh set of downs? Not a good look, Brandon Graham. Though to be fair to the players, it’s not exactly clear why we’re strictly policing celebrations in such an emotional/physical game.
• Byron Maxwell is a weekly reminder that tackling NFL running backs is a difficult task, especially when you’re not all that keen on it.
• Right after a pick six, somebody named Lucky Whitehead ran back the ensuing kickoff 79 yards. So, yeah, that’s not optimal from Dave Fipp’s special teams unit.
• Maxwell is not very disciplined, and he’s nowhere near worth the $63 million price tag that Kelly signed him to. That said, the pass interference call against him (guarding Bryant) that bailed the Dallas out of 4th-and-long on the final drive of regulation is among the worst I have ever seen. Brutal officiating.
Follow Rich on Twitter: @rich_hofmann
