Yesterday's loss by the Green Bay Packers sent one fan into a little frenzy by voicing his frustrations citing that he was done with the team until they get rid of Mike McMarthy, Dom Capers, and Ted Thompson. Have a look for yourself!
Monday, January 6, 2014
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Saints Defeat Eagles On Shayne Graham Game Winning Field Goal As Time Expires, Will Face Seattle In Divisional Round
(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
All week long New Orleans Saints were faced with questions of how would they be able to adapt to playing outdoors, the possibility of it snowing, and the frigid cold temperatures. Drew Brees got off to a slow start with two interceptions, one which led to an Eagles touchdown (TD) when Nick Foles ( 23 of 33 195 yds. 2 TD 0 INT) found Riley Cooper in the end zone to give Philadelphia a 7-3 lead. Saints placekicker Shayne Graham (who would go on to win the game winner) kicked a Field Goal as time expired in the 1st half when he snuck it in the right up right to cut the Eagles lead to 7-6. Eagles Placekicker Alex Henery at the beginning of the 2nd Quarter.
Drew Brees settled in quickly. After forcing the Philadelphia offense to a 3 and out on the opening possession of the 2nd half, Brees led a scoring drive that ended with a 24 yard hookup with Wide Receiver Lance Moore to reclaim the lead for the Saints, 13-7. After another 3 and out, Mark Ingram (18 carries 97 yards) led New Orleans on another scoring drive, registering 26 rushing yards and a TD on a 4 yd run to give the Saints a 20-7 lead. Scoring 14 unanswered. The Eagles however would soar right back!
After the TD that put the Saints up 20-7, Philadelphia needed just 7 plays to go 65 yards for a TD. Foles hit Wide Receiver DeSean Jackson for a 40 yard gain. On 4th & Goal from the one, Running Back LeSean McCoy bounced his way into the end zone to bring Philadelphia back within six. After exchanging Field Goals, Philadelphia on its next possession, would get a big gain when a Pass Interference on Saints Corey White, (a spot foul that was 40 yards worth,) set the ball up at the Saints 3 yd. line. Two plays later Foles found Tight End Zach Ertz for a 3 yd TD Pass, and with the successful extra point, the Eagles regained the lead for the second time in the game, 24-23.
New Orleans would get great field position on the ensuing kickoff after Philadelphia's Cary Williams was called for Horse Collar Tackle giving the Saints excellent field position starting at the Philadelphia 48! Rookie Khiry Robinson provided 22 rushing yards on the drive, allowing for an easy 32 yd. FG kick by Shayne Graham to win it for New Orleans as time expired, eliminating the Philadelphia Eagles and setting up a game against the #1 seed in the NFC where they will travel to Seattle to face the Seahawks next weekend.
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All week long New Orleans Saints were faced with questions of how would they be able to adapt to playing outdoors, the possibility of it snowing, and the frigid cold temperatures. Drew Brees got off to a slow start with two interceptions, one which led to an Eagles touchdown (TD) when Nick Foles ( 23 of 33 195 yds. 2 TD 0 INT) found Riley Cooper in the end zone to give Philadelphia a 7-3 lead. Saints placekicker Shayne Graham (who would go on to win the game winner) kicked a Field Goal as time expired in the 1st half when he snuck it in the right up right to cut the Eagles lead to 7-6. Eagles Placekicker Alex Henery at the beginning of the 2nd Quarter.
Drew Brees settled in quickly. After forcing the Philadelphia offense to a 3 and out on the opening possession of the 2nd half, Brees led a scoring drive that ended with a 24 yard hookup with Wide Receiver Lance Moore to reclaim the lead for the Saints, 13-7. After another 3 and out, Mark Ingram (18 carries 97 yards) led New Orleans on another scoring drive, registering 26 rushing yards and a TD on a 4 yd run to give the Saints a 20-7 lead. Scoring 14 unanswered. The Eagles however would soar right back!
After the TD that put the Saints up 20-7, Philadelphia needed just 7 plays to go 65 yards for a TD. Foles hit Wide Receiver DeSean Jackson for a 40 yard gain. On 4th & Goal from the one, Running Back LeSean McCoy bounced his way into the end zone to bring Philadelphia back within six. After exchanging Field Goals, Philadelphia on its next possession, would get a big gain when a Pass Interference on Saints Corey White, (a spot foul that was 40 yards worth,) set the ball up at the Saints 3 yd. line. Two plays later Foles found Tight End Zach Ertz for a 3 yd TD Pass, and with the successful extra point, the Eagles regained the lead for the second time in the game, 24-23.
New Orleans would get great field position on the ensuing kickoff after Philadelphia's Cary Williams was called for Horse Collar Tackle giving the Saints excellent field position starting at the Philadelphia 48! Rookie Khiry Robinson provided 22 rushing yards on the drive, allowing for an easy 32 yd. FG kick by Shayne Graham to win it for New Orleans as time expired, eliminating the Philadelphia Eagles and setting up a game against the #1 seed in the NFC where they will travel to Seattle to face the Seahawks next weekend.
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NFC Wild Card Preview: Philadelphia Eagles vs New Orleans Saints
The match up between the Philadelphia Eagles and New Orleans is an interesting one, as two high octane offenses collide in the Wild Card round of the 2014 NFL Playoffs. For New Orleans, they will be led by Drew Brees, who finished the regular season with 5,162 Passing Yards (the 3rd straight year, and 4th overall that he reached the 5,000+ mark) and 39 Touchdowns (TD) and 12 Interceptions (INT). Plenty of Brees' success through the air has to do with his Tight End Jimmy Graham, who led the league in TD Receptions with 16 (Graham also had 1,215 Receiving Yards)!
It will be interesting to see what and how the Eagles approach Graham and the rest of the Saints receiving game down. New Orleans ranked 2nd in the league in Passing Yards, which could cause mismatches and problems as Philadelphia has allowed the most passing yards in the NFL this season. If the Eagles can limit the Saints in the passing game (easier said then down) New Orleans will have to rely on its backfield. While having a very versatile backfield with Darren Sproles, Pierre Thomas, and Mark Ingram, the Saints rank 25th in the league in rushing yards, averaging just 92.1 yards per game. The Saints however will be without Thomas due to a chest injury and Rookie Khiry Robinson may be called upon to contribute in the backfield for New Orleans.
The Philadelphia Eagles have the top running game in the league, averaging 160.4 yards per game, and the sole reason is LeSean McCoy, who led the NFL in rushing yards this season with 1,607! McCoy is also a dual threat as he provides an additional target for emerging star Quarterback (QB) Nick Foles! Foles, who took over as starting QB midway through the season, has thrown for an astonishing 2,891 yards and 27 TD's and has just been picked off twice in just 10 starts for the Eagles! Foles will be tested as New Orleans fields one of the best Passing Defenses in the league (2nd 194.1 ypg) led by Curtis Lofton, team leading tackler (125) and Keenan Lewis, who is among the top in the league for interceptions (4).
For the Philadelphia Defense, Trent Cole, who led the team in sacks (8.0) and team leading tackler DeMeco Ryans (102) with 4.0 sacks of his own, will need to produce a lot of pressure onto Drew Brees early and force him into making mistakes. In the Saints final two losses of the season, Brees had four interceptions, three which led to TD's for the opposition.
Image via http://tireball.com/nfl/2014/01/03/new-orleans-saints-vs-philadelphia-eagles-betting-odds-point-spread-and-tv-info/
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Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Michigan State Defense Leads Way For Spartans In Upset Over Stanford Cardinal In 100th Edition of Rose Bowl Game!
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Rose Bowl. The Big One. The Grand Daddy of them all. And the 100th edition live up to its hype as #4 Michigan State defeated #5 Stanford 24-20 in a game that featured two of the nation's best defenses!
Stanford jumped out to an early 7-0 lead with a touchdown (TD) on the game's opening drive. Quarterback (QB) Kevin Hogan connected with Wide Receiver (WR) Michael Rector for a 45 yard gain. That helped set Running Back (RB) Tyler Gaffney who capped off the scoring drive with a 16 yard run. Michigan State's first possession ended when Stanford Linebacker Trent Murphy (who led the nation in sacks during the regular season) tackled Quarterback Connor Cook for a loss of two, forcing the Spartans to punt.
Later in the 1st Quarter, Gaffney had a 47 yard run that would set up Stanford's next scoring drive as Jordan Williamson would hit a Field Goal from 34 yards out to give the Cardinal a 10-0 lead at the end of the 1st.
After a big 3rd down conversion to officially close the 1st Quarter and start the 2nd, Michigan State would go on a 13 play 75 yard drive covering 5:55 on the clock finishing it off with a 2 yard TD run by RB Jeremy Langford and cut the lead to 10-7. One play prior to the score, a very questionable Pass Interference (PI) call was made on Stanford Cornerback (CB) Wayne Lyons as the ball looked to be uncatchable, regardless of any contact.
With just over two minutes remaining in the 1st half, with the ball on their own 41, Michigan State QB Connor Cook made a huge mental mistake when he tried to throw the ball away in a soft manner that ended up being intercepted for a pick 6 by Kevin Anderson. Anderson who had an interception go in and out of his hands earlier in the game, made up for it by giving his team a 17-7 lead. Cook however, maintained his poise and led Michigan State down field with two key pass plays that went to Tony Lippett and Bennie Fowler for 24 and 37 yards respectively. Three plays later, Cook found Trevon Pendleton in the endzone to cut Stanford's lead to 17-14. Stanford would take a knee following the ensuing kickoff and head into the half with a 3 point lead.
Michigan State opened up the 2nd half quickly thanks to a 60 yard reception by Fowler. The Cardinal however were able to prevent the Spartans from finding the end zone, but Michigan State still came away with points with a FG to tie the game up at 17-17.
Late in the 3rd, Michigan State with the ball, were driving deep in Stanford territory with that ball on the Cardinal 12. Jeremy Langforrd would lead the drive with 45 yards of offense (34 Rushing, 11 Receiving). On 1st & 10 Langford fumbled and Stanford dodged a bullet. The Michigan State defense would come up big again forcing a 3 and out as time eventually expired in the 3rd Quarter after the Spartans defensive hold. Stanford opened up the 4th Quarter with a punt.
With Stanford punting out of there own endzone, Michigan State would have the opportunity with starting its next possession with great field position. Macgarrett Kings caught the ball at the Stanford 46 and returned it 19 yards at the Cardinal 27. The Spartans cashed in on the great field position three play later when Connor Cook hooked up with Tony Lippett over the middle and into the end zone for a 25 yard TD play and gave Michigan State its first lead of the day, 24-17.
After being held to another 3 and out by the Michigan State Defense, The Cardinal following position was deep in the Spartans zone with the ball at their 22 yard line with a 1st & 10. On 2nd & 8 a key big play came from Michigan State's Denzel Drone when he got into the back field and sacked Hogan for an 8 yard loss. The sack perhaps ended up costing Stanford a TD as they eventually settled for a FG that cut the Spartans lead to 24-20.
Stanford's Defense would come up with a huge 3 and out of its own and would get the ball back for one last chance to win the game! After three plays, Stanford faced a 4th & 1 from their own 34. Ryan Hewitt took the handoff when walk-on Linebacker Kyler Elsworth jumped over the line, diving across in midair and eventually meeting Hewitt in the backfield. The tackle forced a turnover on downs and Michigan State was able to run out the clock and come away with the upset with timely plays from the offense and a great out by its defense. Michigan State, finishes the season 13-1 along with their Big Ten Title. Stanford, the Pac 12 Champions, dropped to 11-3.
Notes: With its win, Michigan State is now 4-1 all time in the Rose Bowl
Michigan State improve to 4-2 all time vs Stanford
Stanford was making its second consecutive Rose Bowl appearance (having beaten Wisconsin last year)
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The REAL Reason Bill O'Brien Left Penn State & The Excuse He Needed To Do So
"They didn't have to stay at Penn State, but they committed to each
other, they committed to Penn State, and they committed to our coaching
staff. I felt it was important that they understood that I was committed
to them. What are you if you're not a man of your word?"
-
Last night many Penn State football fans were torn to find out the Head Coach Bill O'Brien was leaving after two years to accept a head coaching position for the Houston Texans. I did not really know what to think at first, I was mad because in a selfish aspect, I did not want him to leave, but on the other hand, I understood or at least I thought I did, why he jumped on this opportunity. Take note to "at least I thought I did".
Lets start from the beginning. Bill O'Brien came to Penn State during its darkest days to accept its vacant head coaching position after 61 years of service by Joe Paterno. Penn State would later that year be hit with unjustified sanctions by the NCAA that included; 4 year bowl ban, reduced scholarships, and $60 Million in fines. O'Brien's task became more difficult than he possibly originally anticipated.
Penn State alum and fans were going to be entering the 2012 football season for the first time knowing that Joe Paterno would no longer be walking the sidelines as head coach, and felt the void with him not on it. Still, at the same time, Penn State loyalist, and sane truth seekers, stood behind Bill O'Brien, and believed or "BILLieved" in him and his efforts in trying to stop the bleeding that was happening at the university due to the slanderous and libelous hits from media outlets such as ESPN.
Penn State started the 2012 season bringing in 0-2, but would finish winning 8 of their last 10 games to finish with an 8-4 record, a record many thought would have been unobtainable due to the events surrounding Penn State. Alum and fans, though still heart broken at the mistreatment of Joe Paterno, were behind Bill O'Brien 150%! O'Brien was offered head coaching positions in the NFL after his 1st season at Penn State, by the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns. Bill O'Brien declined the offers, saying "I'm not a one-and-done guy. I made a commitment to these players at Penn State and that's what I am going to do. I'm not gonna cut and run after one year, that's for sure." http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/8811626/bill-obrien-remaining-penn-state-nittany-lions-coach
O'Brien restored pride in the Penn State faithful as they (at the time) felt self perseverance, knowing that O'Brien seemingly was committed to staying there. O'Brien even managed to recruit 5 star Quarterback Christian Hackenberg and 5 Star Tight End Adam Breneman despite the sanctions and reduced scholarships. Penn State finished the 2013 season 7-5 under O'Brien's ,with signature victories of #25 Michigan and #14 Wisconsin. If he had not already, O'Brien gained full support of everyone at Penn State, who were at the same time, still displeased of what happened to Joe Paterno.
O'Brien once again would be approached with an NFL head coaching opportunity, this time by the Houston Texans. Prior to the offer, O'Brien picked up key recruits for the 2014 class, including 5 star Defensive Tackle Thomas Holley and landed the top TE for the second year in a row in Mike Gesicki. There was no reason to think O'Brien would leave Penn State now, especially with all of the success he accomplished there in a short period of time under extreme circumstances. But hold everything folks, because this is where everything gets interesting, and once again the media comes in and makes sure it pitches the false narrative to make Penn State faithful look bad once again!
O'Brien this time, was weighing the options. Should he stay or should he go? Many players and recruits were reaching out to O'Brien wondering what his decision was. There were reports he told recruits and current players that he was not leaving for Houston and he would be back at Penn State. But in actuality, O'Brien needed to devise a plan to come up with the ultimate excuse of why he was leaving Penn State to paint an image of himself that best he could. Enter David Jones of PennLive who took O'Brien's bait, hook, line, and sinker!
In Jones' article (which you can read here, http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2014/01/bill_obrien_the_outsider_arriv.html )he stated that he spoke with O'Brien in early December, and that O'Brien was growing frustrated at the lack of leadership at Penn State and his duty to fulfill his job description as a football coach, not a university figurehead. O'Brien knew he had caught his sucker and found the outlet to use for his "reasoning" of why he was leaving Penn State. O'Brien would blame Joe Paterno supporters! The same Joe Paterno supporters that still "BILLieved" and supported Bill O'Brien to make it appears as there was still a "Penn State Culture Problem" According to Jones, O'Brien finally snapped when he had mentioned Penn Stater's were wondering and questioning the firing of Linebackers coach, Ron Vanderlinden (who was hired by Paterno back in 2000). O'Brien evidently stated
“You can print this: You can print that I don’t really give a ---- what the ‘Paterno people’ think about what I do with this program. I’ve done everything I can to show respect to Coach Paterno. Everything in my power. So I could really care less about what the Paterno faction of people, or whatever you call them, think about what I do with the program. I’m tired of it."
“For any ‘Paterno person’ to have any objection to what I’m doing, it makes me wanna put my fist through this windshield right now.”
O'Brien continued,
“I’m trying to field the most competitive football team I can with near-death penalty ----ing sanctions. Every time I say something like that and somebody prints it, it’s skewed as an excuse. And I’m not an excuse-maker. I’m trying to do the best I can for the kids in that program. That’s all I care about is the kids in that program. As long as I’m the head football coach here.”
Ironic O'Brien claims he is or was trying to do the best he could for the kids in that program and that was all cared about.
I will not be like the Mainstream Media and forget to leave out a portion of the quote as O'Brien had ended with "As long as I’m the head football coach here.”
The problem I have with this is that he told players he was staying, and he was committed to doing what is best, for them! O'Brien was recruiting players as recent as a few weeks ago when they landed Holley. He even picked up a player (Chasz Wright) who had committed to UConn on a scholarship, to walk on (or run on, as O'Brien referred to it as) at Penn State, and in time receive a scholarship there.
The reality of it is that O'Brien knew he would been seen as a liar and traitor by his deceitfulness to his players and recruits. If O'Brien truly wanted to leave for the Houston Texans job, he should have been honest and open with is players and recruits, saying "look I am leaving to pursue a dream of mine. I need to do what is best for me" Instead O'Brien decided and needed to beat around the bush until he could set a trap that someone would fall into, which is what David Jones did. Jones apparently held onto this off the record quote for a month before revealing what O'Brien had told him.
In actuality, it is possible that what O'Brien said to him is not even true. Not in the sense that he did not say what he said, but that he actually meant it, but knew it would give him the much needed and desperate excuse to paint over his lies. Once again, lies! Lies that O'Brien told his players, and even the players parents, and recruits he was staying at Penn State. Lies so that he could be seen as a martyr and not a traitor. Lies that in the end will reveal O'Brien's word is no longer good, no matter what coaching job it is, or where it is at!
Now that O'Brien's lies worked out for him, it gave the Mainstream Media more fuel to add to the fire to place the blame on Joe Paterno supporters or "Joebots" for O'Brien's decision to leave. The reality though, is what I stated throughout this entire peace, O'Brien wanted to leave, but already told his players he was committed to them. He then needed a patsy, he got one in David Jones. Then have that patsy smear Joe Paterno supporters once more because he knew how the media would look at him as a hero and not a villain that he truly is because he already saw and knew what they said and thought of Paterno. Finally, O'Brien would escape unscathed and have others pointing fingers at each other or the wrong people and finally set sail for Houston.
As for me, well I will keep it professional, at least in this article and say that Bill O'Brien is a coward who hid behind lies to cover his backside. (Trust me I actually have colorful words that I would like to say, but will refrain from doing so).
One more thing I hope people get from all of this is that they need to know how the media works. It will lie and twist the story around to fit it's narrative to generate traffic to their websites, creating revenue, knowing full well the society is lazy to do any real research of their own and will take whatever is spoon fed to them as gospel, just to keep their precious little journalistic jobs, (i.e. Sara Ganim). Even if that means smearing and slandering someone's good name at their expense.
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Monday, December 30, 2013
NFL Week 17 "Studs & Duds"
Studs
Peyton Manning
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Have to start with Peyton Manning, who I think is got to be the league MVP for this season! Manning went 25 of 28 for 266 yards 4 TD 0 INT and broke Drew Brees single season passing record of 5,476 by one yard! (5,477) Peyton also finishes the season with 55 TD and only 10 INT!
Drew Brees
(Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Outstanding performance by Brees. 5 total TD's (4 Passing, 1 Rushing) amd 381 Passing Yards as the Saints destroyed the Buccaneers 42-17.
Greg Hardy
Greg Hardy with one of his four sacks on Matt Ryan
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The leader of the vaunted Panthers defense, Hardy registered five tackles, 4.0 of them being sacks against the Atlanta Falcons!
Randall Cobb
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
What better way to make an impact after returning for an injury like Randall Cobb did!? Cobb had 2 Receptions, both touchdowns, the second being the game winner that helped Green Bay clinch the NFC North and a playoff spot!
LeGarrette Blount
(Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Blount really stepped up in New England's regular season finale, and has given the Patriots another weapon for their ground game. 24 carries 189 yards 2 TD
NaVarro Bowman
(AP Photo/Matt York) Photo: Matt York, Associated Press
Fine game across the board for Bowman. 10 tackles, 1.0 sacks, 1 INT, 1 Forced Fumble, which he recovered!
Matt Forte
(Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
Forte for how good he is, is still one of the most underrated players in the NFL. Forte finished the day against Green Bay with 157 yards of total offense (110 Rushing, 47 Receiving) and 3 TD's (2 Rushing, 1 Receiving)
Duds
Andy Dalton
(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
For alot of good Dalton did in Cincinnati's game against Baltimore, the bad outweighed it! Dalton had 3 total TD's (2 Passing, 1 Rushing) but also had 4 interceptions. (21 of 36 281 yards). Just when I thought Dalton was finally settling in he goes back to causing turnovers. The Bengals are going to need Dalton to limit the turnovers in the postseason, or else they could very likely end up being one and done.
Ryan Tannehill
(Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
20 of 40, 204 yards 1 TD 3 INT. After a great performance in Week 15 (25 of 37, 312 passing yards 3 TD 0 INT) Tannehill finished the last two games 30 of 67 for 286 yards and 1 TD 3 INT (had no TD's or INT's in Week 16)
Tom Brady
Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Just 14 of 24 for only 122 passing yards and 1 TD with 1 INT, Brady, from a statistical standpoint had a very unproductive day.
Matt Schaub
(Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
22 of 34, 229 yards 0 TD's and 3 turnovers (2 INT's 1 Fumble) against the Tennessee Titans)
Zac Stacy
Pat Lovell/ USA TODAY Sports
Not a good day for Stacy at all! Just 15 yards for 15 carries left him 27 yards shy of the 1,000 yard marker for rushing yards.
Joe Flacco
(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Like last year, Flacco struggled down the stretch of the regular season. Only this time it cost the Baltimore Ravens a playoff appearance and any chance as repeating as Super Bowl Champions! 30 of 50, 192 Passing Yards, 1 TD 3 INT vs Cincinnati
Eli Manning
Photo by Ron Antonelli/Getty Images)
Even when the New York Giants win, Eli Manning still loses! Going just 10 of 24 for 152 yards with a TD and INT against the Washington Redskins. Eli Manning finishes the season with 18 TD and 27 INT!
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Nick Foles And Eagles Fly Into Dallas, Win NFC East Division Crown & Soar Into Playoffs
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
For the third straight season the Dallas Cowboys had a chance to win the NFC East and clinch a playoff berth and the regular season finale, and for the third straight season, failed to do so.
Dallas started on offense for the game's first series. The Cowboys were leading a good drive and got into Philadelphia territory, until DeMarco Murray, who had been effective on Dallas' opening drive, coughed up the ball that was recovered by the Eagles at the Philadelphia 23. Following the turnover, Philadelphia converted points off the turnover with an Alex Henery 47 yard Field Goal (FG) to put the Eagles up 3-0. Key play from the drive came when Quarterback (QB) Nick Foles hit Riley Cooper for a 16 yard pick up on 3rd and 19. Although short of the first down, the completion put Philadelphia in FG range.
The Cowboys offense once again moved the ball efficiently on its second drive and got into Philadelphia territory, but on 3rd & 2 QB Kyle Orton threw an incomplete pass behind his intended receiver Dez Bryant, forcing Dallas to punt. Nick Foles and LeSean McCoy marched Philadelphia down the field and completed four passes that went 10 yards or more, including a huge 22 yard jump ball reception before finally hitting LeSean McCoy (who had a big 20 yard run during the scoring drive) for a 3 yard TD Pass to put the Eagles up 10-0!
Both team exchanged punts, before Dallas got the ball back once more, and this time, put together a drive the produced points! On 3rd & 12, Orton hit Terrance Williams deep down field for a huge 39 yard pickup down to the Philadelphia 29. Three plays later, Orton hit Gavin Escobar for a reception. Escobar, (who only had one catch prior for the entire season) leaped into the end zone for a 17 yard TD reception, and suddenly the Cowboys had new life cutting the Eagles lead down to three.
Dallas again forced Philadelphia to punt, and had a chance to go into the half with a lead. After an 11 yard reception by Tight End Jason Witten on 3rd & 9, Orton went back to Witten on the very next play on 1st down. Witten had the ball in his grasp, but mishandled it and Mychal Hendricks (Who forced the fumble on Dallas' first drive) came away with an interception. The Eagles did not take long to capitalize as Foles hit Celek on back to back plays for 35 and 14 yards, the latter play going for a TD, giving the Eagles a 17-7 lead. Dallas would get some of those points back with a Dan Bailey Field Goal, and headed into the locker room down 17-10.
After forcing the Eagles to a 3 and out, the Cowboys opened the second half scoring with another Dan Bailey FG to cut the lead to 17-13. The Dallas defense came up huge again when Jason Hatcher stripped sacked Foles and DeMarcus Ware recovered the loose ball. Dallas had now put itself in great position to take the lead following the turnover, starting at the Philadelphia 20!
Dallas could not cash in for a TD off the turnover and had to settle for another FG, but were now within one of Philadelphia. Both teams would force 3 and outs on each other's next possessions. The Eagles looked to to finally score it's first points of the second half. With 1st & Goal at the Dallas 6, Nick Foles threw two straight incompletions before hitting DeSean Jackson for a 5 yard gain, just short of the goal line. Instead of going for the FG, the Eagles opted to go for it from the one on 4th & Goal, but the Dallas defense came up big once again and stopped Nick Foles from diving across the plane of the goal line to force a turnover on downs. The Cowboys held the Eagles high octane offense scoreless in the 3rd Quarter!
Dallas would start the 4th Quarter at its own 19 after Orton hit Dez Bryant for an 18 yard pass on the final play of the 3rd Quarter.The Cowboys drove the ball past midfield to the Philadelphia 40 and faced a 4th and short of their own and elected to go for it.Orton rolled out and had Murray in the flat for what would have been an easy 1st down until Connor Barwin batted down the pass and forced a huge turnover on downs!
After being held scoreless in the 3rd Quarter, the Eagles finally put together a scoring drive in the second half. After 24 rushing yards put together by LeSean McCoy in the duration of the drive, when Bryce Brown took it in from six yards out for a TD, putting the Eagles up 24-16. Just when it seemed like Dallas was out, they come up big once again. Orton hit Witten in stride for a pick up of 35 yards. Facing a 4th & 9, Orton hit Bryant on a slant pattern and broke away from the defender for a 32 yard TD Reception and the Cowboy were now down only two, with a chance to tie the game on the 2 point conversion. Orton appeared to have Bryant again, but Cary Williams with good coverage, broke up the play and the Cowboys still trailed.
Philadelphia got the ball back, but the Dallas defense once again forced another 3 and out and got the ball back with 1:49 remaining at their own 32 after an Eagles punt. But on the first play of the Cowboys ensuing possession, Orton was picked off by Brandon Boykin, and the Eagles prevented any hopes of a comeback by Dallas. Philadelphia would kill the clock with runs by LeSean McCoy before eventually kneeling down burning out the clock, giving the Eagles the NFC East Division Title as well as a playoff appearance. It only seems fitting that the Dallas Cowboys season ends this way, as mentioned, it was the third straight season they were in position to win their division and make the playoffs. The Eagles return to the playoffs for the first time since the 2010 season (also won the NFC East that year). Philadelphia finishes the season 10-6 and will be hosting Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints in the Wild Card Round. For the Cowboys, they finish 8-8 for the third straight season.
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