By the time the Philadelphia Eagles scored their first touchdown on Saturday early in the first quarter, they had already been eliminated from the 2011 playoffs, thanks to the New York Giants' 29-14 victory over the New York Jets. But the Eagles played hard, and benefited from a hand injury to Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo, in a 20-7 victory that helped them complete a season sweep of Big D.
The Eagles got on the board on their first drive of the game after Michael Vick hit Brent Celek in the back of the end zone for a 13 yard touchdown. On the Cowboys' ensuing drive, Tony Romo crushed his throwing hand on the front of the helmet of an unblocked Jason Babin. The hand immediately swelled up, and Romo was taken out of the game and into the locker room for x-rays, which came back negative. There has been no word from Dallas on the severity of Romo's injury, which is currently being called a "right hand contusion," but Romo was seen on the sideline toward the end of the game telling a Cowboys staffer that he'll "be fine."
His replacement, back up QB Stephen McGee, was efficient and careful with the ball, going 24-38 for 182 yards and a garbage time touchdown to Miles Austin with seven seconds left in the game. But the Eagles defense continued its stellar end of the season, holding the Cowboys to only 238 total yards, some of which came long after the game was decided.
The Eagles were led on offense by QB Michael Vick, who was 18-32 for 293 yards, with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Desean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin both contributed five catches on the day, with Jackson going for 90 yards and a touchdown and Maclin for 72. Running back LeSean McCoy was mostly neutralized on the day, running for only 35 yards, and he left the game temporarily with a left ankle injury before returning for one carry in the fourth quarter.
The Eagles will end their 2011 season next week at home against the Washington Redskins. Philly will have a chance to finish 8-8, which is pretty good considering where they were a month ago, but pretty disappointing considering the preseason expectations for the team.
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