Two weeks ago the Eagles faced a statement game in Green Bay. What played out on the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field was not what the Birds had in mind.
On Thanksgiving Day, the Birds again were looking to make a statement, facing another potential playoff team on the road as they invaded Dallas for their annual Thanksgiving Day shindig.
Eagles fans have plenty to be thankful for this Black Friday.
After losing in agonizing fashion on the road in both Arizona and San Francisco, then getting blown out in Green Bay, the Eagles were looking to make a statement in Dallas.
They did that, dominating the Cowboys in front of their home fans.
The 'Boys seemed more interested in fighting each other than in battling the Birds.
This one was decided from the opening snap, when the Eagles marched 80 yards with their rapid-fire offense that at times had the Cowboys gasping for air.
There were a lot of statements made on this day.
LeSean McCoy made a statement on the same field with the guy he trails in the NFC rushing race. DeMarco Murray managed just 73 yards and the Cowboys only TD on 20 carries. Meanwhile, McCoy was again reminding people he is in fact the same back as last year, exploding for 159 yards and a touchdown.
The Birds' initial drive was quickly followed up by a similar 88-yard scoring drive, and the rout was on.
It was telling just before halftime to see the Cowboys' defenders literally down on one knee sucking air in the wake of Chip Kelly's relentless attack.
Mark Sanchez again looked supremely confident in leading the Eagles' attack. More importantly, he did not commit any of his telltale turnovers, on the holiday that many still remember his infamous "butt fumble" with the Jets.
On defense, the Eagles did exactly what they needed to do, that being harass Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo into a miserable day. Romo clearly is not the same player he once was, still nursing a bad back that leaves him more than a little gun shy and not especially mobile.
Led by a standout performance by Fletcher Cox, the Eagles defense hounded Romo all day, leaving him heaving the ball up late in the game rather than face any more punishment from the Birds.
The win moves the Eagles to 9-4, alone in first place in the NFC East, a game better than the Cowboys.
Super Bowl champion Seattle, who beat the 49ers last night, comes to the Linc on Sunday.
Columnist Jack McCaffery notes that while they may not be the best team in football, this Eagles team now has to be seriously considered as a Super Bowl contender.
I didn't think so before the game. I picked the Cowboys. I was wrong.
Chip Kelly outcoached the 'Boys brass by a mile.
So disheartened were the Cowboys they were left to point fingers at each other, constantly being captured on camera bickering either with themselves or their coaches.
They looked like a team once again about to come apart at the seams.
And the Eagles?
They looked like a team making a statement.
A very different one than they offered in Green Bay.
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