From: jmd@cbnewsm.cb.att.com (joseph.m.dakes)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.pro
Subject: Eagles/Cowboys Report
Keywords: Philadelphia 31, Dallas 7
Date: 6 Oct 92 18:01:59 GMT
Article-I.D.: cbnewsm.1992Oct6.180159.2764
Distribution: na
Organization: AT&T


Well, being that it was a Monday Night Football affair I don't have
to describe the game in any great detail because anybody that calls
themselves a football fan was watching.  At least until the 2:20
mark of the fourth quarter when Herschel scored his second TD to
give the Eagles a 24-7 lead and all but end it.  Final score, 31-7
as Dallas missed a last second FG attempt???

Dallas outgained the Eagles yardage-wise, but the numbers are
misleading in that the Cowboys were unable to do what they really
wanted to do.  They wanted to run the football and be able to pass
when they chose to.  But against the GANG GREEN, running the ball
is never an option.  Smith was held to 67-yards on 19 carries.  So
the Cowboys took to the airways as Aikman completed 19-38 for 256
yards, one TD, but three interceptions.

That Dallas moved the ball wasn't that surprising to me because
they are a very talented team, but what did surprise me was that
they were able to convert the third-and-long, at least early on.
But defensive coorinator Bud Carson made some adjustments and the
team was able to handle Dallas better in the second half.  Aikman
was pressured often by the defensive line and the secondary came
up with the big plays.

On offense the Eagles just wore the Cowboys down.  Walker carried
19 times for 86-yards with the majority of that coming in the
decisive fourth quarter.  Randall had a below average game with
43-yards rushing and only 124-yards passing, but he was in total
command out there.

Report Card:

QB:  B+.  Randall threw his first interception of the season, but
with the GANG GREEN he can afford to turn the ball over every once
in a while.  Nothing fancy number-wise, but he ran the offense very
effectively.

RBs:  A.  Herschel wore the Cowboys down and was the deciding factor
in the second half with two TD runs.  Byars also took advantage of
the tired defense as he trotted in for a 12-yard score.  Adding in
Randall's rushing yardage the Eagles totaled 160-yards on the ground.

OL:  A.  They kept the much quicker Cowboys defensive line at bay
and opened some major holes in the fourth quarter to seal the win.
This group is getting better each week.

WR:  B+.  Nothing outstanding, but a solid performance.  Arkansas
Fred Barnett came up with some big cathes to keep drives alive and
threw some key blocks, particulary on Herschel's first TD run.

DL & LBs:  A.  What else can you give a unit that shuts down the
run and pressures the QB mercilessly?

Secondary:  B+.  They gave up some big plays, but that's expected
when there are all-pros on the other side of the ball, but made
the big plays as well.  Not to mention making some big time hits.

Special Teams:  B.  Ruzek was solid and saved a sure TD return.
Feagles had one of the best punting games of his career.  But the
coverage teams were sloppy.  The team still needs to improve in
this area.

A very BIG win for the Eagles who sit alone at the top of the
NFC East at 4-0.  But the Dallas win will be for nothing if they
have a letdown at Kansas City.  The GANG GREEN hasn't allowed a
runner to go over 100-yards in 50-games.  That streak will be put
to a test against the Chiefs and their 250-lb behemoths.  If the
Eagles shut down the run, they should win.  If not...  Should 
make for a good intra-conference matchup.


E-A-G-L-E-S

Joe Dakes
AT&T Microelectronics
555 Union Boulevard
Allentown, PA  18103
alux2!jmd
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.pro