There were so many factors that went against the Eagles leading into Thursday's huge showdown with the Dallas Cowboys. A short week and a trip to Jerry's Palace after a win against the Titans just three days spelled trouble.
In a game that was built up with tons of excitement and high stakes, the Eagles did not disappoint.
Mark Sanchez and LeSean McCoy turned in their best games of the season while the defense stood tall in a 33-10 win over the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Arlington on Thanksgiving.
The Eagles opened the game with a nine-play drive spanning 80 yards, capped with a two-yard touchdown run for Sanchez.
Sanchez passed for the Eagles second touchdown of the game, capping a seven-play, 88-yard drive with a 27-yard pass to Jordan Matthews.
Dallas answered with a touchdown as DeMarco Murray's one-yard run capped a seven-play, 67-yard drive.
The Eagles would kick three more field goals before the end of the half, with Cody Parkey hitting kicks from 31, 22 and 26 yards. Two of the kicks came after drives stalled in the red zone in short field situations.
The Cowboys added a field goal early in the third to cut the lead to 13 off a fumble by McCoy. McCoy made up for his mistake with a 38-yard touchdown run.
Parkey capped the scoring with his fourth field goal of the day, a 25-yarder early in the fourth.
Sanchez was 20-for-29 for 217 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions. McCoy rushed for 159 yards on 25 carries and one touchdown. Chris Polk added another 49 yards on 11 carries. Jeremy Maclin caught eight passes for 108 yards. Matthews had 51 yards on four catches and one touchdown.
Tony Romo was 18-for-29 for 199 yards. He also threw two interceptions to Cary Williams and Nate Allen. Murray was held to 73 yards on 20 carries and one touchdown. Dez Bryant was held to 73 receiving yards on four catches.
The Eagles had four sacks as Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox, Casey Matthews and Vinny Curry got to Romo. Bradley Fletcher and Mychal Kendricks tied for the team lead with seven tackles. Brandon Boykin also forced a fumble that was recovered by Allen.
The Eagles improved to 9-3 with the win and moved ahead of the 8-4 Cowboys into first place in the NFC East. The Eagles now have 10 days between games, as they host the Seattle Seahawks next Sunday at 4:25 p.m.
Kevin Durso is managing editor for Eagledelphia. Follow him on Twitter @KDursoPhilsNet.
