Cowboys’ season comes to an End

It’s official. The Dallas Cowboys season is over. And there couldn’t have been a more humiliating way for it to end, getting absolutely crushed 44-6 by the Philadelphia Eagles. It was the worst defeat of the year on a number of levels and it brought what was a tumultuous and disappointing 2008 campaign to a bitter end.

The Cowboys had known all week long leading up to their showdown with the Eagles that a win would clinch them a playoff spot. They controlled their own destiny, but the Eagles were going to need some help if they wanted to make the playoffs. But by the time the game started Philadelphia realized that they also had their fates in their own hands thanks to losses by the Bears and Buccaneers. It changed the whole dynamic of the game at the outset making it in itself, a playoff game. Win or go home.

As things turned out it was only the start of the game that would appear competitive. After failing to capitalize on a Westbrook fumble, the Cowboys punted the ball away and the Eagles found success on their second possession of the game. McNabb lead his team to the Dallas 22 where David Akers made good on a 39 yard field goal attempt. The Cowboys came right back though, getting in position for a field goal of their own that tied the game 3-3. But it would be all downhill from there for Dallas.

The Eagles scored touchdowns on two out of their next three drives, the first with a one yard run from McNabb and the second a four yard pass from McNabb to Buckhalter. Philadelphia had opened up a 17-3 lead, but the game was not out of reach for Dallas at that point. But then the turnovers started. Romo was intercepted on a pass Roy Williams never even turned around to see coming his way. Philly took advantage with another touchdown pass from McNabb to increase their lead to 24-3. Then to add insult to injury, Pacman Jones fumbled the ensuing kick return with just four seconds left in the half. Akers connected for his second field goal of the game to put the Eagles up 27-3 going into half time.

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At the start of the second half the game already felt like it was over and the Cowboys were going to need a comeback for the ages to pull this one out. The comeback never came. Instead, more of the same filled the third and fourth quarters, Cowboys miscues and Eagles dominance. On the opening possession of the third quarter Dallas put together a nice drive, moving the ball to the Philadelphia 19 yard line. It appeared they were going to go in for the score and close the huge gap between them and their rivals just a bit, but Romo was sacked and stripped of the football. Chris Clemons picked up the loose ball and ran it back 73 yards for another touchdown.

On their next possession the Cowboys were effective moving the ball again, this time taking it all the way to the Eagles 12 yard line. But now it was Marion Barber’s turn to cough it up. Barber caught the pass from Romo at the Eagles 4 yard line, but Brian Dawkins, who had caused Romo to fumble earlier, stripped Barber. Joselio Hanson picked up the ball and returned it 96 yards for the touchdown. If the game hadn’t been over before that play it certainly was after it with the Eagles augmenting their lead to 41-3.

The Cowboys could do nothing right all day. They missed tackles, dropped passes, turned the ball over, and allowed their quarterback to take a beating from the Eagles pass rush. At one point the Eagles had scored 41 unanswered points and were finally answered with a meaningless field goal. The final score was 44-6, a total annihilation and embarrassment. The Cowboys were never in it.

When the game was over Tony Romo collapsed while taking a shower, a result of the pounding he took and a symbol, perhaps, of the Cowboys season. It was an up and down season for the team that many feel is the most talented in the league. But talent alone won’t win championships very often, and for these Cowboys it wasn’t even good enough to make the playoffs.

By Steven Mondelli
ProFootball-fans.com Dallas Cowboys Correspondent