REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK: Cowboys 38 – Eagles 33

REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK

Cowboys 38 – Eagles 33

Michele Tafoya

LOOKING BACK AT THE QUARTERBACKS

Tony Romo is now the Cowboys’ all-time leader in touchdown passes.  On Sunday Night the ten-year veteran surpassed Troy Aikman, who threw 165 TD passes in his 12-year Hall of Fame career with the Cowboys.

Romo’s 166th came on an improvised 23-yard pass to Dez Bryant in the third quarter.  Romo added two more TD throws before the night was over, going a perfect ten-for-ten for three touchdowns in the second half.  He finished the night 22 of 27 for 303 yards, 3 TDs and no interceptions.

Romo told me after the game that the win was the most important outcome on Sunday night.  But he acknowledged he will be able to reflect back on this some day in the future.

While Romo used his veteran wiles to win the game, rookie QB Nick Foles impressed Eagles head coach Andy Reid by performing well in the spotlight of Sunday Night Football.

Reid told me at halftime he admired Foles’ composure and decision making.

Foles completed 22 of his 34 pass attempts (.647) for 251 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions.  The former Arizona Wildcat had a passer rating of 96.6 in his third career start.

While Foles’ stats didn’t excite Fantasy football fans, the Austin, Texas native demonstrated poise and an improving ability to read defenses — both of which should encourage Eagles fans.

DeMARCO MURRAY SPARKS RUNNING GAME

Romo made it clear in his meeting with our SNF crew on Friday that the Cowboys absolutely had to run the football against the Eagles.

Dallas came into the week ranked last in the NFL in rushing offense, averaging 78.7 yards per game.  But the Cowboys had played their last six games without the services of RB DeMarco Murray, who was sidelined by a left foot injury.

Felix Jones was carrying the load for Dallas on two bad knees.

On Sunday night, Murray played for the first time since October 14th.  The former Oklahoma Sooner rushed for 83 yards and a TD on 23 carries (3.6 YPC).  He also had 4 receptions for 19 yards.

Most notable was that the Cowboys ran on 33 of their offensive plays (55%) and passed on 27 (45%).  In their first eleven games Jason Garrett’s offense passed on 68-percent of their offensive snaps.

Murray’s return could mark the return of balance to Garrett’s offense and a significant turning point for the Cowboys, who are looking to make a late-season run at the playoffs.

WASHBURN FIRED

The Eagles have now lost eight straight games.  There are plenty of reasons Philly has not had success this year: a beat-up offensive line; turnovers; lack of a pass rush; or change at quarterback.

For various reasons, Philadelphia has decided the defensive problems carry enough weight to warrant firings.

Monday morning Reid announced that defensive line coach Jim Washburn had been relieved of his duties.

There are reports that Washburn had become a negative presence around the team, especially after DE Jason Babin was released a week ago.

Defensive coordinator Juan Castillo was fired October 16 and Todd Bowles replaced him.  Things have gone downhill defensively since that change.

Philly is having an utterly dismal season, the kind in which players, coaches, general managers and owners get frustrated.  Such emotions can result in disagreement, disarray and dismissals.

Just as everything looks great when you’re winning, everything smells sour when you’re not.

Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie will have numerous decisions to make at the end of this season.  It seems apparent Washburn’s firing won’t be the last.