Playoff rematch: Dallas crushes lifeless Eagles as Birds fall to #6 seed in NFC

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The Eagles never seem to like to do things the easy way. Needing a win to get a first round bye in the playoffs, the Eagles didn't bother to show up against the Cowboys, getting crushed, 24-0. The loss means the Eagles didn't get a first round bye, didn't win the NFC East and, because the Packers beat the Cardinals, the Eagles have slipped all the way to the number 6 seed in the NFC. Oh, and their opponent when they go on the road in the first round? Yep, the Dallas Cowboys.

Trying to analyze what happened in the game today would simply be maddening. Basically, the Cowboys were better in every facet of the game. Offensively, Dallas dominated the Eagles by running the ball when they wanted to (6.3 yards per carry) and met little resistance in the passing game, meaning the Cowboys could do whatever they wanted on offense and controlled the clock for most of the game (over 40 minutes of possession). Defensively, Dallas pressured Donovan McNabb all day (4 sacks, 2 fumbles), completely shut down the Eagles rushing game (37 yards on 10 carries) and didn't allow the Eagles receivers to get open down the field.

So, rather than getting a week to rest up before making their playoff run, the Eagles will have just this week to regroup and try once again to solve Dallas, this time with their season on the line. The Cowboys have now beaten the Eagles twice this season so hopefully the Birds saved their master gameplan on how to knock off Dallas for next week in the playoffs. At least we know they can't possibly play any worse than they did this week.

What a difference a year makes. Last year, we were all basking in the joy of the Eagles destroying the Cowboys to get themselves into the playoffs. This year, we have been given a taste of what it feels like on the other side, although we can be comforted with the fact that the Eagles will still be in the playoffs. The frustrating thing about this Eagles team is that we know how good they can be when they are on their game, we just never know when they are going to show up. They better plan to show up next week.