Jordan Matthews heard the voices.
So did Sam Bradford.
Both had been getting an earful as the Eagles's offense sputtered to a 3-4 record in the early going.
Fans were tiring of waiting for Bradford to shake off the rust after being on the shelf for most of two years with successive knee injuries. Yes, we're an impatient bunch.
Matthews, who showed so much promise last year as a rookie, had developed a sudden case of butterfingers. He was dropping everything Bradford threw at him.
To his credit, Matthews did not shy away from the criticism. Instead, if you listen to Bradford and his teammates, he used the Birds' bye week to go back to basics, working on nothing but catching and securing the football.
Last night, in prime time, he delivered the goods.
Matthews caught nine balls for 133 yards, none bigger than the pass from Bradford he corralled in overtime, dashing into the end zone for a 41-yard score that elevated the Eagles to .500 on the season, and likely put a nail in the Cowboys' coffin.
He was not the only Jordan to star on this night.
Jordan Hicks, the Birds' emerging force at linebacker, intercepted a Matt Cassell pass and sprinted 67 yards down the sideline for a touchdown.
DeMarco Murray celebrated his first trip back to Dallas since leaving for 'greener' pastures with the Eagles with his best game as a Bird. He rushed for 83 yards and racked up another 78 receiving for a 161-yard night.
The win kept the Eagles just a half-game behind the Giants in the NFC East. They now have a series of winnable games against teams they should beat, starting Sunday vs. the Dolphins at the Linc, followed by dates with Tampa Bay and a Thanksgiving Day trip for the annual game in Detroit vs. the Lions.
They likely will be led by Jordan on both sides of the ball.
Click here for beat writer Bob Grotz's take on the game.
Comments