Eagles-Cowboys winners and losers

The Eagles rung in the new year and closed out the season with a 27-13 win over the Cowboys. The Cowboys rested a number of starters, but a win is a win. Let’s take a closer look at who won and who lost.

Winners

The Eagles

The Eagles won, and end the season on a winning streak and at 7-9. For a team with a rookie head coach and QB, that’s a good season in the grand scheme of things. There is a lot of work to be done this offseason and in the 2017 season, but the 2016 season was one that showed an encouraging and bright future. Which was the goal when the Eagles traded Sam Bradford and made Carson Wentz the opening day starter.

Also, they beat the Cowboys. That’s never a bad thing.

Terrell Watson

Two weeks ago the Eagles signed Watson to the practice squad, and his backstory made him an instantly rootable player. Today he got his debut, and scored a touchdown to seal the game. Whatever happens the rest of his career, he’ll always have that. What a great story to end the season on.

Zach Ertz

Mr. December had a great game with 13 catches for 139 yards and 2 touchdowns. It was made more impressive with Jordan Matthews out with an injury and then Nelson Agholor leaving the game with an injury. Missing two starting WRs, the Cowboys knew where Wentz was going with the ball, and Ertz (and Wentz) came through.

Jordan Hicks

Two interceptions today to finish with five for the season, a total that could have him second in the league. Hicks is the new Bennie Logan: the league is going to catch on how good he is about a year after Eagles fans already have.

Losers

The Cowboys

They lost.

Nolan Carroll

If this was Carroll’s last game as an Eagle, it was a forgettable one. Carroll was called for pass interference on two drives, the Cowboys scored 10 of their 13 points on those drives.

Offensive line

The Eagles offensive line has played well this year when you consider all the injuries and Lane Johnson’s suspension. It’s had some rough patches, but any line that has to start two rookies and is down to it’s fifth choice at a position is going to have some struggles. Against a Cowboys pass rush that has played above expectations this season but not the best unit they’ve faced, they struggled, sending Carson Wentz scrambling a few too many times. Perhaps the late decision to start Isaac Seumalo at left guard instead of Stefen Wisniewski contributed, as did it just being a divisional game, which can be strange games. For whatever reason, the line had a down game.

Eagles PR

In the third quarter, there was a commotion in the pressbox after a penalty, and Eagles PR told everyone to basically STFU. The commotion was nothing out of the ordinary, and Jeff McLane of the Inquirer went to Eagles PR to calmly discuss their treatment of the press box.

The Eagles then ejected McLane. Pathetic. The Eagles beat the Cowboys but the story is going to be about what happened above the field, not on it.