There are three positions that you can pin the Philadelphia loss on. I know the old cliché about "win as a team, lose as a team", but that's for players and coaches. As a fan and as a neo-journalist, I'm going to lay the blame at the feet of three:
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Three times the Eagles' defense hit Bledsoe's arm as he was throwing, leading to one interception (by Brian Dawkins) and a near interception (by Lito Sheppard).
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The offensive line had problems with stunts, spins and swim moves by the Eagles' defensive line. Cowboys center Andre Gurode said the Eagles didn't spin as much in previous games.
"They are a pretty good defense," Gurode said. "They get off the ball well, and they forced Drew [Bledsoe] to step up in the pocket."
Howard had two sacks and two quarterback hurries. He also forced a fumble.
Rookie Patrick Watkins was benched in the fourth quarter and was on the sideline softly banging his helmet against his forehead.
Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb completed 18 of 33 passes for 354 yards with two touchdown passes and no interceptions.
Then there was the 40-yard flea-flicker to Reggie Brown for a touchdown that gave the Eagles a 31-24 lead with 9:13 to play. Watkins and Roy Williams were in position to knock the pass away but stumbled and missed awkwardly.
"I think he outwitted me a little bit," Watkins said. "He made it seem like the play was going away and at the last second he put his hands up."
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At the Philadelphia 33 with 7:30 to play, Owens got behind Sheppard at the line, but Bledsoe's throw was well short and was picked off by Sheppard at the 7.
"I think we might have had a shot at it if we would have got it [the throw] down to the end zone," Parcells said.
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