Postgame Show: Eagles Win 17-9 vs the Cowboys

A massive win, yeah, obviously a big win, you know, waiting for the past three or four weeks to get to this game, having it mean something. Obviously the NFC East lead online Eagle still got a little bit of work to do next week versus the New York Giants, but this was the game they had to have at home, undermanned, going up against this Dallas Cowboy team that's coming off a big victory last week against the Los Angeles Rounds where they put up forty four points at home. Eagles

underdogs at home. I mentioned undermanned in this game offensively, really just a gutsy win. Man. When we get to the keys of the game, I'll just jump out there early. Just an awesome job by Doug Peterson. Yeah, getting this team ready to play today. Great game plan called Jim Schwartz. Also, awesome job on a defensive side of the ball. This

is the number one offense in the NFL. I just mentioned they scored forty four last week versus the Rams, and the fact that they're able to hold this team the three field goals today, man coaches, Awesome job by the coaches today. Awesome. Felt like you could really see the disparity in the coaching just the way these two games were called. And so much credit to Doug Peterson, which I definitely want to get into here, But Fran,

let's get to your initial reaction off this one. I mean, just there's so much you mentioned Doug Peterson with what he did offensively, with the game plan. You took that pass rush out of the game. You're worried about DeMarcus Lawrence going up against Hallapoolavati Vitie. What do we hear Lawrence's name? Once twice in this game. They to move him around. He was rotated in and out. They did an awesome job just keeping that Dallas defensive front on

their toes. Guys, I mean, you saw play action, misdirection, you saw a mix in of tempo, we saw the screen game, we saw wildcat, we saw plenty of play action. Unbelievable job offensively and then defensively. Look, I know it was scary at the end. So this was the number one third down offense in football. They went three of

fourteen on third down today. Like, awesome job by that Eagles defense, Absolutely awesome, And I think when we look at this offense, it was almost the story to me of this game was just you continue to have this next man up mentality and see that the Eagles had been doing so much when another player goes down, another player goes down. We saw zach Ertsmith time, and this one we saw, like you said, Greg Ward and the Wildcat. There just so many different things that Doug Peterson had

to creatively do and it worked against this Dallas defense. Today. Man, I'm thinking back on this game and I'm thinking about the play call in the first two drives of this game where they just had the Cowboys on their heels, Eagles able to go down and get points on the first two drives of the game, and credits are Doug getting these guys ready to go and really trusting them. Right, there's no way around it. He was gonna have to utilize these young guys, and great job of Carson trusting

these young guys. Grig Ward another awesome job today catching the ball, and then really the best game of Dallas Goddard's career, I thought today, just a nice job being

that go to guy for Carson. Zach banged up a little bit when he got stretched out earlier in the game, and really I think what they did was flipped Goddard and arts as far as the rolls with the tight ends because Dallas became really the featured guy, and I think Zach was out there trying to gut his way through that rib injury today, so hats off to him as well. This is how important the game was. Derek Barnett, you know, not being able to play the last couple

of weeks, didn't really practice all week out. There would a hurt giving them something. This was one of those games where you were going to need everyone to chip in, and they got it done today. One of the biggest storylines coming into this game was this is going to be the biggest game of Carson Wentz's career, right This is gonna be a career defining moment for him. Coming into this season, he had never played a game like this, never lose, a winner, go home kind of situation, and

that's exactly what he had here today. Where did he go thirty one to forty over three hundred yards and a touchdown. I thought Carson Wentz was outstanding today. He had a couple of big runs, avoided sacks. He did an outstanding job today, again with a limited cast, because not only was Zach Kertz out for majority this game. J j Arthega Whiteside was in and out of the lineup. They had a number of injuries on the offensive side of the football. No Lane Johnson once again, what can

you say about number eleven? Yeah? What? What? What a run He has been on really since the Miami Dolphins game where I think he started to find his mojo, carried that into an outstanding week Monday night against the Giants. We all what that win was, and then last week versus Washington for him, you said it this game, he even I knew once he acknowledged that this was the biggest game of his career, he was gonna have a

good game. It's one thing to run away from that title, right, the biggest game of your career, because you want to sort of downplay it because you don't know what the outcome of it was going to be. But he early in the week acknowledged it. Seemed to me like he embraced the moment, was looking forward to the moment, missed out on the opportunity to play in these type of games two years ago, and I think he was itching

to get back in this moment. And this you said was a playoff game, This was a playoff game for him. They lose today, season is over with next week may as well be a preseason game. It did not matter if they lost today. This was a win or your season is over type of game. So I think he did a nice job answering the bell in his first

sort of do or die game. Yeah yeah, I want to get into some of Carson's numbers and break down that game a little bit more from his first active But Dave Spanera standing by from Lincoln Financial Field, Dave, I cannot even imagine what the vibes are like in there right now? Just what is the energy like in that place? Are people I can see kind of behind you? People are starting to leave, but I imagine there's going to be a party in South Philadelphia, so no doubt

about it. I mean, what a great crowd. Energy was awesome the whole way through, and you know, the Eagles played into that energy. I asked somebody before the game's kind of one of my routines, how are we gonna win this game today? He said, We're gonna punch him in the mouth. We're gonna beat them physically. And that's what the Eagles really did today. They went toe to toe with the Dallas Cowboys, particularly on the defensive side.

They didn't get to Dak Prescott a ton early on, though they got to him here and there, and it was obvious that Prescott wasn't quite as sharp. Have you not practiced all week as he'd been in the past. What a great job the defense did physically against the most physical running back in the league, Ezekiel Elliott and

the offense Carson Wentz. You talked about it, Fran and Ike and Aim, the poise, the smart decision making, didn't force his throws, ate the football when it wasn't there, ran when there were opportunities to run a couple of design runs. I love the wildcat look with Greg Ward in the backfield. A good bit of innovation there. So the Eagles, I mean they dragged out everything in their playbook. The place here was jumping. What a great Eagles victory today.

One of the all timers. Defensive struggle in Week sixteen. Yeah, I love it, Dave. I want to stay on this side of the ball, man. The defense, in my opinion, really came out and set the tone. I know the offense got the ball first and went down and picked up points, but the way the defense played, particularly in that first half when the offense stalled, I think really really set the tone for this game. Just talk about

the job Malcolm Jenkins did today. I thought Malcolm was everywhere out there on the field, making big stops on Ezekiel Elliott. Really a great job from Jim Schwartz with a great game plan against US Cowboys office where he had struggled in the past. Absolutely, Malcolm Jenkins reached deep two days after his thirty second birthday and came up with an enormous amount of energy. He was quick to

the football again. He was physical with Ezekiel Elliott, who did not He didn't run over players like he's done in the past. Here, the Eagles really didn't let Elliot. A couple runs to the left side got downhill, but for the most part they got to Elliott when they had to in the backfield, slowed him down a little bit. And the versatility of Malcolm Jenkins in his defense really paying off today. Jim Schwartz moving him around, putting him in positions where he could have an impact in short

yardage areas, and Malcolm delivered. I thought Avante Maddox was great in coverage. The Eagles overcame injuries to Jalen Mills. Fletcher Cox is out there playing with one arm. The Eagles, they just kept coming and coming and coming defensively, never lost their their sense of unity. No blown assignments today, they tackled well best defensive performance of the season from an Eagles team that is so much different defensively at Lincoln Financial Field than they've been on the road. Eagles

really brought their a game defensively tonight. Yeah thirteen carries forty forty seven yards, three point six yards for Carrie for Ezekiel Elliot. This defense really did the job against one of the best running backs in the NFL. Dave, take us through the next step now, and you're so tied in to this locker room, to this coaching staff. What does this mean now going into week seventeen? We know what the playoff scenario is now win and we're in What does this mean now for the mood of

this locker room going into this week? I mean, certainly the entire city is energized. Eagles everywhere are energized. Now. The key here is Doug. Usually, I believe Doug will give them Monday and Tuesday off, get them back for

a walk through on Wednesday. It's very important to get everybody who's banged up treatment right away and get those emotional reserves going against won't be an easy game on Sunday against the Giants team that's rookie quarterback Daniel Jones through five touchdown passes today to beat the Redskins, So

it'll be a tough one in MetLife Stadium. But you feel like this team has come such a long way here in these last three games, led by a quarterback who is just not making mistakes and an offense that trusts that it can run the football and match up and go toe to toe with a playoff game on

the line next week. It's just hard to see the Eagles coming out flat emotionally, So Fran I think Dougs first thing is get the players back physically, get them back emotionally, and then later in the week get ready for a Giants team that you just saw a month ago. All Right, Dave, I know that locker room is probably gonna be very exciting tonight, so we will catch up

with you a little bit later. Thanks. All right, thanks guys, very good perspective there about looking ahead, and of course we are gonna keep breaking down this game and not look ahead too much until a little bit later. But let's talk about the path to the playoffs for the Eagles. Essentially, a win next week seals the deal for Philadelphia. If they lose next week against the Giants, then also the Boys would need to lose to Washington in order for

the Eagles to advance. The Eagles will not advance if they lose and Dallas wins next week. So really, again, controlling their own destiny. Like we've been saying all season long, and I think well said by Dave, to not overlook this Giants team, a Giants team that this Eagles team had success against earlier. But let's go back to Carson Wentz and how he is just continuing to get hotter and hotter. How do you build on a performance like

this today? Friend? To me, you know, one of the big things that stood out to me, guys, was that watching that team early. You know Wentz, I know, thirty one to forty on the day, but a couple of those catches were big time catches by his guys. That wasn't just you know all automatic screen passes and guys were wide open. J. J R. Thiga whites I first play of the game made an outstanding catch over the

middle of the field. Later in the jive on third and long makes a diving catch to the sideline that cut the Dallas Godder made was a great throw by Wentz, but he had to go up and get it. He was a big time catch. Seeing those guys come back and make plays, that's building confidence for those guys only receiving it. So you're talking great Ward Dallas Good or J. J.

Arth thiegl whiteside that whole group. We know that Carson Wentz has faith in guys like zach Ertz, but building faith on the rest with the rest of those guys, it's gonna be huge down the stretch. How about going back to Dallas on the same play they missed earlier where they weren't on the right page, on the key third down right there on that final drive, he gives that ball to Dallas. I mean it is a dime

the Dallas is able to catch there. So that goes right to your point of just building trust with those guys. They were on sort of not on the same page early in the game. They obviously went to the sideline, talked it out, and Carson came back to him in a clutch situation late in the game. Well, and I thought it was very well said by Dave that Carson played mistake free football, took care of the football, didn't throw any interceptions, have that one fumble, but recovered his

own fumble very quickly. And one of our guys watching the game with us was like, I don't think it should count if he recovers his own football. It's still goals, but it's still gas. But did a really good job taking here in the ball. And tell me if you guys are seeing this, because it almost reminds me of last year when Nick Foles came in and it was like he had this chemistry with these with these pass catchers around him that maybe Carson didn't have with those guys.

But now is it that Carson has that chemistry with these guys. Maybe these are the guys that he's kind of finding that vibe with a little bit more. I don't know, there's just there's something about that connection that almost reminds me of the Nick Foles effect last year with some of the guys that we're catching those passes from him. Success is funny like that. I mean, how you're having success and it's easy to kind of build chemistry and everybody to get happy and then you know,

kind of buy yeah. I think that that really helps in this scenario when you're you know, we're now on a three game win streak, all three games coming within the division. It's easy for everybody now to say, all right, let's go, We're ready to go. And I think that's kind of what we're seeing here. That's true. Seeing is believing, all right. Dave Spinnaro caught up with Rodney McLeod after the win to hear about stopping this Dallas offensive attack.

Let's hear from David Rodney Build insider Dave Spinnarro with safety Rodney mccle out and Rodney, what a great defensive effort you shut down Ezekiel Elliott. What worked out there? Man, You gotta get credit to the first seven man battle all night. You know what I'm saying, physical game and we showed up, man, and it paid all tonight. How much of the emotion from the fans here Lincoln Financial Field helped the cost today? Oh? Man, Yeah, it was

rockets since the first play man. We couldn't do it without DC. You know, fans out here tonight. You know what I'm saying, We're gonna need him. You know what I'm saying when we bring this name back for the playoffs man Division a round. You know, we gotta win next week, but I gotta feel that we're gonna be here one win to go in the Eagles, the NFC East champions. Rodney, thanks so much, appreciate you. Rodney McCloud Eagles safety. Yes, you gotta love the energy from those guys.

I also love Greg Ward in the back of that shot. That is the best part of a VP as well. Yes, I mean they're just having the time of their lives. I love it. Let's talk a little bit more about that defense and overcoming all of those injuries that happened. We saw, Look, Ronald Darby left the game, did not return, Jalen Mills was out for a while. He came back. Letcher. We weren't so sure. Pletcher plays through pain so much, like it is remarkable to me. It takes a lot

to get that guy out of a game. And Tim Durgin coming in and out, and I was expecting, like I was expecting to see Dallas kind of attack. The backup corners were Soul, Douglas and Sydney a little bit more. I was expecting them to see them kind of trying to attack that vulnerability there a little bit. We saw it a little bit, but I felt like we saw

some passes drop by Dallas receivers. We saw Dak inaccurate um and then they you know, they didn't they Then those Eagles corners stepped up and made those plays when we when they needed to. Yeah, I mean I think, you know, Dak struggled throwing the ball outside the numbers right, not necessarily throwing it deep. But the strength was there, but the accuracy wasn't there. And no doubt his shoulder was probably bothering him a little bit. Um their receivers

got behind us, yeah he did. We were fortunate on some of those plays that Dak was definitely off and they got to make sure. You have to make sure they correct that because Daniel Jones also has a good arm, He has a good core receivers and get the ball too, so we gotta make sure we shore those things up. But then our young guys, I thought they did a better job today making plays on the ball. I mean

Sydney Jones coming in having to make a play there. Yeah, And that's the thing I like about these young guys is that they don't necessarily get down mentally when they're not out there playing. It seems as if when their number is called, they're ready to go out there. And Sydney the last couple of weeks haven't had a ton of snaps. He's been thrown in in difficult situations knowing that that offense is gonna go right at him, and he's come up with some nice plays. So I think

the young guys they're still learning. There's still some work to do there, as it is with any pass defense, particularly ours. We're gonna need help up front. You need to get guys that can get to the quarterback. I feel a little more comfortable next week. Daniel Jones is young. Maybe we can throw some different coverages at him that will make him hold onto that ball. But act was just that wasn't going to be sacked today. He wasn't going to be hit today. He got the ball out

of his hands. Um, but he was inaccurate. He was all there and he had what about seven drops out there today? Yeah, like seven drops today, So you know, hey, it's good to be on that side. We've certainly been on the other side of Edgin. Some of those things definitely went to our way today. Um, let's talk about j j Arthega Whiteside. Two catches in that really nice

opening drive for the Eagles. He is one on one with Eagles inside er Dave Spedero all right here on the field with the rookie wide receiver jj Arthago Whiteside. How's it feel to be in a playoff atmosphere like it was today? Man, It's incredible. These are things that you dream about as a kid, to be out in front of thousands of fans millions at home and not only that, but it go out here and get a win, not only for us but the whole city. It's incredible. JJ.

The offense really moved the ball. Well, you got involved early. What was the game plan coming in and what do you think you guys executed. I mean, you know we're playing Dallas, so you know we had to a little bit more energy to our stuff. But you know we came out we said we was gonna come out fast and punch him in the mouth as soon as we could, and then we're gonna go out and carry throughout the game.

How number eleven played, Carson wentz amazing as always, jjar think on whiteside, one more to goal against the New York Giants and the Eagles come back here NFC East champions. Love it. Love looking at the crowd. He's soaking in that moment. Love to see that from the Eagles rookie. Let's get to your takeaways. What's the first one? Well, I've been talking a lot about the defense, so I think we got to start there and to hold the number one offense in the NFL to just three field

goals and keep them out of the end zone. My hats off the Jim Schwartz for the game playing that he came up with. I talked earlier in the week on my radio show about who was under the most pressure, who needed to step up the most, and Jim Schwartz

was the first guy. Right. I mean, in order to beat the Dallas Cowboys, you had better come up with a game play and to slow down this high powered defense and slowing down Ezekiel Elliott today, a guy that's averaged over one hundred and sixty yards from scrimmage against the Eagles and his five games against the Eagles. They did a nice job today. Zeke had a couple of nice rounds in the second half, but nothing significant. All right, let's point out that this is the first time that

Ezekiel Elliott has lost to the Eagles. About time, Yes, it is about time. All right? Head coach Doug Peterson is about to share his thoughts. Here we go big Dallas, right, We're just wanted to go one of them. What do you feel with see key today? Getting up early, getting ahead of them, well, obviously taking care of the football. Um,

and yeah, getting getting up early and sustaining throughout the game. Um. If you want to talk about a team win this was definitely a team win, you know, offense, defense and special teams and but yeah, the probably the giveaway takeaway UM margin for us UM helped us you know, sustain in this game like drive a drive Carson was against that, you got sport he went up temple again. Is that something now? Make you feel like it's really working? It

has been. Um, it's something that obviously our guys really uh you know take the heart obviously and do do well. UM. Our quarterback likes it, you know, UM, offensive line like it. I mean everybody, everybody just feels comfortable there. And um we had again we had success tonight. So something that we we continue to to build upon each week that works for Carson specifically in terms of defined reads. You know, I think we can we can uh help him buy formation.

You know, the defense can can be a little more um kind of their base defense, their bass structure, whether they're nickel or based. You know, base defense on the field sees things you know, quickly allows him to get in and out of plays if he has to. UM and then and then our guys just execute well. Um. It's been something that's obviously been positive for offense. What can you say defense doesn't. It doesn't know who is who who? Who is this bet? Is he credentialed? Doun?

I question time out? Yeah, I want a full only cal This will be on Sports Center, all right, go ahead. Uh, defense, it didn't allow them a touch down in this game. Ah man, defense, hats off. I mean these guys, Uh,

they listen, they they took this game. I think personal U from the standpoint of what happened to us the first time, you know, and and um, having having all our guys out there, they had a great week of preparation obviously, and we knew that coming in here that you know, Dallas was they were coming off a great win last last week, you know against the Rams, and and uh, you know, two hundred and fifty something yards rushing, and they knew that was coming and being able to uh,

you know, at least you know, shut that down to some to some degree. Um, it's a pride thing each week, you know. And and uh, to to keep this uh, this is a great offense. Uh they can score points and to keep them out of the end zone, hold them to three kicks like they did, stop them on some fourth downs. Um, hats off to the defense. Coachwartz and his staff for having a great game plan. But what is it about you guys in December? I mean, I'd assume you'd rather not come down the last few

games like this every time. But what does it say about your team? Well, I think I think it's just obviously, yeah, you don't want it to come down to the month of December. I mean, but you'd like to play a little better, you know, September, October, in November. But um, I just think the guys, this is the team that, um, when their backs against the wall, I mean, they come

out swinging and fighting and whatever it takes. Um, you know, sometimes it's not not pretty, and it doesn't have to be, you know, and uh, just put some plays together, score more points than our opponent, hold our opponents down, and you know, just just play great team football. And um, if we don't beat ourselves, we give ourselves a chance. And and that was what happened tonight. You say about how Dallas played today, Dallas Gonner played today, and how

it's trying to progress season. Dallas had an outstanding game, as did many of our younger players in this football game again and and um, he's so tough not only in the Run Run Game, but but I made some big catches tonight and extended some drives for us. And it's got a great rapport obviously, the Carson being on the same page, and and um just had a had a really good game. The Miles stand has been getting

better and better every week. How pressed we with this kind of workload he had to get in a game like this. To see what he did tonight, I mean, it's just, um, it doesn't surprise me. Um, you know, this is why we why we drafted him obviously, you know, for this type of uh, you know, for these types of games and performance. He just teems to get a little bit stronger and a little bit better each week.

And um, he had another another good performance tonight. Um, I thought the offensive line as the game progressed, got stronger and stronger. And um, you know, it's just really good to see he got the running game kind of on track in the second half. And and uh, um, but Miles is really, um you know, kind of coming into his own now as a young player and really

helping us, you know, offensively. Imagine some of those younger players, not just Miles, but talk a lot about Greg and Josh and told you have those guys playing at this environment, not a playoff game, but a playoff light gays it is. It's a playoff game. Tonight was a playoff game. Means it means everything. And and I think that's something that our team understands it. Each week now, you know, starting a couple of weeks ago, every week was a playoff game.

Otherwise we're you know, we're gonna go home here in a couple of weeks. But you know, our season's not not done. We got another week left. I think that our team understands that we got a we got another division opponent on the road, a chance to continue our season. Um, and it's going to take another sixty minute game. We went to overtime, you know, with this team a couple of weeks ago, and uh, you know, our guys will

have to be ready again, you know, to to get healthy. Um, you know, with a holiday week coming up and and everything that's that's that's happening this week and and and prepare and get ready to play the giants from those younger guys, how much in What Leaks has Carson's role changing throughout the year? UM starts year Carson Yeah, you know, I just think that he's you know, he just continues

to to to coach on the field. You see him during the games talking with these guys and and um, you know, it's just it's just helping him, you know. And I think he he uh you're seeing the trust factor with with some of these young guys. You know that he's leaning on him a little bit more. And that's what you gotta do. I mean, listen, you know, leads are the guy who we're playing with. So you know, we we've got to do that. He's done an outstanding job of leading the team, not only the offense but

the whole team. And and H had another solid performance today, and um, we just got to keep it rolling most games and he's in space and do you visit him the lining up in the slots, lying him him all over the place. Because of that, Yeah, I mean, you know, we feel like he can do that. But you know, we still got to be careful with him. I don't want to, you know, uh, do too much with him mentally.

I want him to continue to play play fast and and um, you know, but but I think he's he's versatile enough to um, you know, play in space, play in an empty formation, or play a slot receiver, which he did some tonight. And UM, he's just UM, he's just a really good athlete for us. And we'll just continue to find ways to to try to give him the ball Holliday week. Some distractions. Guys feel good coming off a big win. You have to guard against a

little human nature here, UM, you do. But I tell you this, Uh, these guys in the locker room, they're focused on next week already, you know that. And that's kind of the conversation that that has taken place in the locker room even after this game. I want them to enjoy this and and enjoy their families this week. That's what this this uh time of the year is for. UM. But at the same time, we we've still got some unfinished business and UM, and that's what they're talking about.

So that's exciting for me as a coach to know that that's that's where their minds at and and UM, you know we we we have to. UM. I can help them out with the schedule and all that this week. But UM, I'm excited for them, all right, thank you? Okay, very exciting stuff there. Some of the highlights for me. We just wanted to go want to know this week. Of course, we know that the classic mantra around these walls, getting up early and winning the turnover battle were key.

And we were just kind of talking and hear guys about just the difference between this game and the first time Philadelphia and Dallas played. You know, two quick fumbles, two quick scores for Dallas, the Eagles are down fourteen to nothing. This game totally different. You go up ten to know, the defense does two, three and ounce consecutively. And then of course winning the turnover battle was huge for them today. So totally different story in this one. Friend.

Then I know we're in the middle of doing Ike's takeaways. Yes, I'm sorry, I'm just so excited. Well, I want to give love to you for what you did. Said during Kickoff Kickoff show, you had three points. There were three keys to victory for the Eagles, time of possession, stopping Ezekiel Elliott, and the turnover margin. All three came true. All three went in the Eagles favor, and that I think is why they got that w That's why you're sitting in the middle here. Okay, Well, Doug was just

finished up as press for talking about the quarterback in um. Obviously, I think the defense led the charge today, but you can't um understate how well Carson Wentz played today, you know, being underman with some of his weapons, the fact that it you know, he had to go out there and trust these guys and give them an opportunity to make plays. And from the very first play of the game, you knew it was gonna be a good day to come out with that first play action pass and hit Arthega

whiteside and Arthega goes up to catch that ball. Man. That was a nice play, nice play call from Doug. Young guy came through for him and Carson seemed to be off and running from that standpoint, and I thought Doug called a great game today. He made some nice calls where Carson and get the ball out of his hands quick, did a nice job with the screen game today. I thought the tight end screen game was big today.

And then late in the game he had the one throw I know he'll want back is the screenplay the Miles Sanders where they probably could have extended the drive and possibly gave Jake Elliot another opportunity to kick the ball. But other than that, I thought He made pretty much every throw that needed to be made today. And the fact that he was able to take care of the football. We had the one play where he fumbled, it fell right back on it. I noticed when he took off

the day he put two hands on the ball. I noticed it, So you know, he's conscious of these things. And the fact that he was a part of the running game as well, six rushing attempts for him today. Man just a big game for him. He mentioned it was the biggest game of his career. If he's gonna play like this in big games, we're gonna win a lot of big games through this young man's career because

he was poised today. He didn't play overamped. He could have easily come out and been too excited overthrow guys be too amped up. And I thought he was calm, cool and collected from the opening drive of the game, and it showed on the first two series. Yeah, I thought, you know, we talked about it earlier, even if he was a little bit amped up. The fact that those guys came through and made some big place for him, That the defense came out started the game with two

three and outs was just huge. And Doug said at the very top of his press conference, complete team win. I thought this was a complete team win, certainly Carson Wentz and I said this during the kickoff show Amy that there was going to be so much put on him coming out of this game, win or loss, fair or not. With all the weapons that he was not that he did not have at his disposal, so much

was going to be put on his plate. He came through in the clutch and for times without zach Ertz, without Arthega Whiteside, I mean, you're just out to the last, you know, the bottom of the barrel there, and those guys still making plays for Carson Winz. I know you said the Giants game was the most important win of his career. Now he's had three solid ones in a row. Do you do you still bigger? You think everyone is bigger than the last one. Yeah, so this is the

best one today. Yes, this is the biggest win of his career, and they're going to continue to get bigger. Yep. You know if they have next week again, that's a game you have to win to be in the playoffs. So next week's game on the road becomes the biggest game of his career and you hope they continue to

get bigger and bigger. You know, you hope you get a chance to see him in a postseason that's gonna be the biggest game of his career, and hopefully the ultimate game will be the biggest game of his career. He's built for these moments. I wanted to see him in this type of a moment late in the season to see how he responds to it. Man, if you're an Eagles fan and today is any indicator of what he's gonna be like on the biggest stages, we're gonna win.

We're gonna be happy where Carson wins here as our quarterback here over the next decade. It's true, this is we haven't seen him in this situation before, this late in the season with this much on the line, So we're learning more about what he is actually capable of. And it's absolutely something exciting. And it's not like the deck is stacked in his favor. No, No, it's not

like the deck is stacked in his favor. And I don't know if I would a quarterback, how I would be responding and reacting to the circumstances that are here right now. You know what's at stake. You know what everyone's expecting of you, and you also know the cards that you've been dealt. But this guy doesn't seem to be bothered by any of it. He's always speaking positive and going about his teammates. He's uplifting these guys. He's raising their level of play at the same time raising

his level of play. It's what a franchise quarterback's supposed to do. And I think the biggest takeaway from today is the coaches on both sides of the ball, Doug Peterson, Jim Schwartz, the game plans they put together. I know, the point total on the offensive side of the ball won't look as if Doug put together some masterpiece, but you look at the yardage total, you look at the time of possession. They should have netted way more points

than they scored today. They had opportunities. Obviously missed a couple of field goals, you know, but I love the game plan. The Doug put together short quick throws, attacked the Cowboys weaknesses, those linebackers and safeties covering the running backs and tight ends. In the passing game, they ate up the clock, they went for it when they needed to, and then even bigger than Doug. I thought Jim Schwartz game playing the day, the fact that he had his

guys ready to go today really carried the day. For this team to hold that offense, I can't say it enough. I'm just so shot three or fourteen exactly. I'm just I'm actually shocked by it because I know when Dallas gets rolling offensively, they can score points in bunches. And for this defense to basically hold them the way they did for basically three and a half quarters man, just an outstanding job by the defense. I think it was

their most impressive performance considering the circumstances day, considering the injuries. Yes, yeah, absolutely mean to me, you look at both sides of the football, There's gonna be so much that we could point to throughout the course of this week. And I'm excited to kind of dive in the field offensively to me, going off your point, like, I just love the variety. You know, when you have what the circumstances facing this offense right now, they have to try and get creative.

If they're only going to operate within that ten to fifteen yard range, now you've got to say, all right, what are we gonna how we're gonna dress up these screens this week, because you can only do a screen pass in so many different ways. So the fact that they were to get some of these going and have the guys look so wide open to me, I mean that speaks to the creativity of Doug Peterson and this

coaching staff in that area of the game. They had a couple of key penalties as well, like they kind of put them out of range where it looked like they were gonna get rolling. Jason Peters had that key one on a perfectly designed screen to Dallas Goddard. Jason Kelsey had one a little bit later. So I think when you look at the design of this offense and what they were able to do, you know, talking about Doug and his flow as a game planner, I thought

that was put on display tonight. Well. And this offense looks so different than what we thought it would look like at the beginning of the season with the different personnel, but you know, it remains the same today. Fred a lot of twelve personnel, and I believe we're gonna hear from Carson Wentz on this win. I had to feel to be the Cowboys, especially at with the way the last one landed, and yeah, that was a big win for US, big win for US. Um, the crowd was

electric tonight, you know, felt like playoff atmosphere. Um. Just like we said the last few weeks, our backs were against the wall and guys made plays. Defense played great. Um offensively, we left. We definitely left some plays in some points out there. But uh, man, if it feels good to get this victory playoff to night, you said you want to play ving games like this link the season. How to feel to be out there in the play so well, yeah, it felt great. I mean, it felt

great to be out there with with my guys again. Um. And like I said that, the playoff atmosphere, Um, you can't beat it. You can't beat it, especially being at home here. Um, the fans are awesome. Tonight. Guys made plays, but you know, at the end of the day, we still had one more Carson. Seems for the second consecutive week you had some Tampa to get you guys going offensively. How much is that helping you? Um, it's helping quite

a bit. I mean you can you see it. Um, you know, Um, there's evidence obviously that it is helping us. And you know, I think that's one thing that coach I've said it before, but he just has a really good feel for when when to utilize it. You know, when to utilize it, whether um, you know that he feels the defenses is they're on the rope on the ropes or um, if we're just you know, we're moving

the ball, whatever it takes. But um, coach has a really good sense of when to do that and when when not to long past to break the actually said it down. Has that play been in the playbool while and it's feeling like we've seen that route covers before. Yeah, it was a sweet to be able to do it at the line, you know, at the line of scrimmage.

You know, got got that linebacker out there in space and played with his eyes a little bit and obviously Greg came might open down the sideline, did a great job. That was a big play for us. All these young guys that are growing up at this time with working with them and see like everything was coming together. I'm so proud of these guys. Um, I'm so proud of them.

It's been really fun. Um. You know, obviously we've had our backs against the wall for a while now, and um, you know, just the you can see the sense of belief that each of these guys have, you know, and you see it each week with him getting better and better and um believing in themselves and believing in this team. Um. And I can't say enough good things about these young guys that are continually stepping up for us. And we're

gonna need these guys down the straight. Ya can have bangs up early in the game, and Dallas stepped up. He had a career high in preceptions and yards. Can you talk about that? And how nice is it to have two tight ends like that in your arsenal? Yeah, it's awesome. I mean to have really into three, you know. I mean Josh Perkins, I don't know if what he had for catches, if any tonight, but you know, he's a weapon that we feel we can take advantage of

as well. You know, I feel terrible that Zach you know, got banged up. You know I did that to him. I gotta I owe him something now. But um, yeah, you know we've had Dallas, um even last year. You know, we know what he can do. You know, we know what he can do, and um, you know he stepped up and made a bunch of big plays for us tonight, and he's a he's a competitive for us. Of course, about the way the coach is kind of tailored the offense to all these new guys, but it's just about

the way it was drunk off back at. Yeah, hats off, you know, hats off to the coaches, um putting the other's game plan in doing what we can, um, you know, to to get our playmakers the ball, you know, get them and get them in space, and just building um, this offense to to each guy's strength, you know. And that's really what good coaching is. And you've seen that, um these last few weeks with the game plans and how we put it together, and UM, you know, it's

been fun putting it together with them. So you've been a surviving advance boat now for the last couple of weeks, and now you've learning yourself away to play with other vision you think about the opportunity deposits itself to you guys next week. Yeah, we're excited. Um, you know, that was one of the first things that you know, I was feeling in there. Obviously everyone's excited about this win. But hey, we got one more. You know, we got we gotta go win one more and we've we've won

nothing yet. Um, but we're excited for the opportunity, you know, where it's it's in our own hands to go take it, and we're excited for it. Suddenly you have to do to kind of avoid that like that, just get back on it, you know, get back on and prepare the same way we always do, you know, and have no letdowns. And it's going to take you know, the leaders to

make sure we're emphasizing that point. Um. But at the same time, you know, even just talking to a lot of the guys in the locker room, I can already feel that I can already feel that, Hey, no one's no one's complacent now or feels like we want anything. We got to go prove it again, and um, we're excited for it. In some way, it sounds playing these young guys the last couple weeks kind of reaffirmed believe

you're having yourself as a leader right before back. Um, you know, it's hard to say, you know, it's just been Um. I used the word fun just because it has been fun, you know, seeing some of these guys

just just grow up. Right before our eyes, you know, and in practice we've seen guys do it for some of these guys do it for a while, and some of these guys we haven't really seen them much at all, UM, but you know, it's it's almost something new every time that that we're working with and just seeing them grow up and make plays and UM, the moment's not too big for any of these guys, you know, And I just love seeing that, and it's encouraging UM and guys

you know, on defense and often everyone's just rallying together with a sense of belief and that's what we're gonna needs time today. So you can get the only jump one that was big. Um, that was big, especially you know if it feels like we've been down to these guys, uh, you know, the last handful of games and UM to come out swinging early the way we did. You know, we obviously we got the field goal. We'd like to get a touchdown there and UM be able to got

up to got those ten points. I wanted to stay on it, but UM, it was big for us to come out and really start getting some momentum offensively. Then the other time of Dallas, the way you approached them, is there something you can probably attack before able through there? Not really? Um, you know I felt, you know, even last last time against them, we had had a great game plan, um, and we just didn't make the place. You know, last time we had all the turnovers and

put ourselves in really tough situations. Um. And today we were able to convert a handful of third downs. You know, there's still a handful of that we want back. But um, we were able to stay on the field and at the end of the day, we just made enough place.

A little bit of a different week coming out with the holidays, and there's some human nature involved in that to be pulled in different directions, and Doug talk to you guys, the leaders and try to keep that sense of urgency go absolutely yeah, you know, I mean you can go back to the Thanksgiving week, you know, just it's it's important to have that that moment with our families and stuff, and Coach definitely emphasizes that. Um. But

but when we're working, we're working. You know, nothing changes on that front. And um, obviously it's an exciting time of year. Christmas means a lot to a lot of us. UM. But yeah, the family party will definitely be there. But like I said, when we're working, it's it's go time, Cardiff. It has a lot about the personality of a pause football team. Now fifteen games in, how would you define it? Um, Resilient, energetic, UM. You know, I think has been a lot of UM

excitement with with the unknown. You know, I think that a lot of new faces, a lot of guys that maybe weren't um expected to be making these plays in that so that unknown factor just is exciting, you know, And I think, UM, just the resiliency that I've seen, you know that it's it's been the next man up mentality, UM from really the moment I got here in Philly.

But UM, you just see it over and over and it's exciting to see these guys come to work with a sense of belief and the pride they take in their work and you know, to get it done out here on Sundays on the window of throw that you need to God or in the back of the end zone you got it over the linebacker and in between a couple of the kinds. What did you see when I play and out? Yeah, I mean that was the that was the read um, you know, to look front

side quick and come back to Dallas. Um. I mean Dallas played big, you know, and you got a body like like he does that can can jump out of the building the way he can. Um. I just had to put it up in a hot and tall spot for him to go get it over those guys, and he made a great play. Carson, you spent the last two years watching games like this Lake for several on the sideline. Is it relieves satisfying just as much the fun to be out there for something like this? Absolutely absolutely.

You know the last couple of years where I was on the sideline, That's not where I want to be, you know. But at the end of the day, you know, God has a playing forward and I'm just I'm trying to make the most of the opportunities. But you know, it's fun, Um, Like I said, to be out there and playoff type atmospheres and environments with with my teammates. UM. And did you get a big win like this? See it? We're all popular growing, you know over these last three weeks.

Absolutely absolutely. I mean, you know, anytime you have the late game wins, you know, in the way we have UM early the last two weeks, Um, and now your night defense making a huge play at the end of the game. You know, and it's someone different making the big play. Kind of every week, but you know, you can just feel that belief that, guys, hey, we're gonna get this done, we're gonna win this game. We're gonna find a way. Um and we did that again. Thank

you guys. Mary Christmas. All right, a little holiday flare there from the Eagles quarterback who had a incredible game, completing seventy seven and a half percent of his passes to eight different pass catchers in this win against Dallas as he continues to will this team to victory. Some of those best moments we all want to hear from Mike and Merrill. Here is Merrill cam for this Eagles win over Dallas. What first out, Lenz do a deep count?

Fakes he's rolling, He's still rolling, he is looking. He fires late, big reception and coming down with him as J j R. Fag on whiteside in Dallas territory. What a throw, what a catch? Lets fakes, let's looks, let's fires. It's down Dallas covered eight yards deep, wins first down.

He fakes, he's back, he's looking, he's floating it complete Ward thirty twenty five twenty out of bounds at the eighteen, greg Ward outstanding fleet called getting greg Ward out there, wins Back, goes to Sanders, He's hand touchdown and the Garda Prescott ball up their own forty nine Eagles lay by eleven and the fourth quarter, Prescott back again. He pumps, he is head. He starts to run. They've got him back at the forty six. George sweat the sack. It

is fourth down and eight, fourth and eight. Can the Eagles stop him here? Prescott and the Garda three receivers right, one left, Prescott back. Prescott steps up. He is firing deep and it is incomplete. Incomplete. Broke it up by Sydney Jones, who made the player the day against the Giants two weeks ago. Wentz comes back, goes to Sanders, he's ahead, he's free fifty forty thirty twenty and he slides down at the twenty and this game is over.

Forty two the seconds left. But this game is over, as Miles Sanders Pranke said, and slides down at the twenty to forty eight yard run. Yeah, they can start the buses and the second stick away and The Eagles are alive. The Eagles are one win over the New York Giants away from a home playoff game, as they beat the Dallas Cowboys seventeen to nine. It is impossible to watch that and not have a big smile on your face. Jug Peterson sank earlier tonight. Hey, when we

don't meet ourselves, we give ourselves a chance. That is exactly what we saw from this Eagles team tonight. Head coach Doug Peterson one on one with Mike Quick take a look. Coach, first, congratulations. You know you and I talked about this week, we talked about week sixteen, and it would come down to that, what in Europe mind was the difference in today's game. I think there's a couple of things. One, we took care of the football.

You know, we didn't give them the ball from a turnover standpoint, defense outstanding, stopping the run at least slowing down the run um and and and then and then I think offensively getting the run game going. I think that was a big part of this success. And then and then our hurry up tempo um was another factor. I think special teams. You know, we were at some kickoffs we you know, we did some great job of covering some kicks, and so to me, this was, um,

you know, this is a great team win. And I think that's the difference. And um, from this week to you know, week seven or so, how big of a fact was the fact that you were able to limit Ezekiel Elliott's touches and his production. Well, he's such a great player and he and he takes a lot of the focal point of your defense. You know, you gotta know where he's at obviously, and he's going to get

his touches and then he's a good player. And UM, again, hats off to Jim Schwartz put a great plan together. The guys executed that plan. Um hung in there and and just battled. And and that's again against good football teams, that's what it takes. And um, sometimes it's never gonna be pretty, especially against the Dallas Cowboys NFC East opponents. And UM, just so happy for our guys in this win. You talking about switching his defense. They didn't give up

a touchdown today in that game. And how big is that that you keep them off of the scoreboard and at least in the touchdown countergor Well, when you think about what this team offensively has done, you know, especially last week, and only their rushing yards and scoring points against you know, a really good defense and the Rams and um my hat's off to coach Schwartz and the defense and keeping this team out. They can score. I mean we know that, we know they can score. Mary

Cooper is one of the best receivers in the league. Obviously, got a great rushing attack, Dak can do some things with his legs and um again, my hat's off. No into the players, with the coaches on defense for for a great plan. Carson even admitted this week that this is probably his biggest game. He threw thirty one over three hundred yards passing. How big was Carson tonight? He

was huge? I mean he was huge again. I mean this is I think now we're starting to see um as the offensive you know, i mean evolves around him with some of these young players. UM just kind of who Carson is and and um it's taken us a little while to get to that point. But some of that's on me too, you know, from a play caller and understanding carson strengths and our offensive strengths, and um again, he put the team on his back, and he didn't. I didn't want him to feel like he had to

go win the game, you know what I'm saying. I wanted the game to come to him. And and that's what he's done these last few weeks. And and uh he he did it again today. Coach, You're gonna have all the Eagles fans now to have a Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas to you, coach. Thanks Quig, Marry Chris was to marry christ will stall our Eagles fans. Everyone's so happy in holiday cheerie. I love it. All right, We're going to take a very quick break. Hang with us

for ninety seconds. We have the Rigo review coming up, Toyota Player of the Week your chance to win a free Toyota, so we will see you in ninety seconds. Hang with us. Meat the wa wa hoogies. Every hogi is made for you with delicious ingredients on a freshly baked Amarosa roll. Try one today. It's like a toasty cheese steak, a mouth watering meatball, or an Italian hogi, everyone made just how you like it. So now that you've been introduced, stop by and get a fresh, delicious

hogi today. Gotta have a wah wah wah Wa is the official hogi of the Philadelphia Eagles. The road and I hate the road was rocky. I ain't gonna break mustard. Sometimes we prosper most when we help others. Respect that because it's Santander Bank. Respect za. Acme is bringing the fresh every day, crispy, juicy, delicious. We are cutting fresh so you don't have to slicing fresh in store, icing, baking, and flower bouquet making. This is how we do fresh.

Come and get it. Acme, the official supermarket of the Philadelphia Eagles. Glad to have you with us on the postgame show, presented by Rico. Dallas Goddard a career night for him, a career high nine receptions. He caught ninety one yards worth of passes. Okay, nine yards, We're very excited, and a touchdown. That touchdown is the subject of today's Rico review from Fran Duffy. Take it away, Fran all right. Eagles are up now three to nothing and on their

second drive they go right down the field. You get a couple of big plays from Miles Sanders, they get into the low red zone and they go to one of their most reliable routes down in that area of the field, a stick nod route for a touchdown to Dallas Goddard. But this is a really good play design, and we're gonna start here. You're gonna see it's twelve personnel, a yy set, two tight ends lined up right next

to each other, close to the formation. You've got two receivers to the top of the screen, jj R Thiga Whiteside, who's gonna end up running kind of a skinny post here in the middle of the field. And then also Greg Ward, and he's gonna be a very important piece of this play. He is going to be the eye candy for Carson Wentz because he was a big receiver for them last week, especially down in the red zone. He's gonna pretend as if he's coming in to catch

this screen pass. We're gonna let this run for a sec. And you're gonna see right when Carson is preparing to take the snap, watch Greig Ward. He throws those hands up and Carson Wentz throws that pump fake look at the Dallas defenders, eyes all into the slot, looking at Greg Ward, the guy that they want to make sure

they occupy. Is this free safety here, Xavier Woods. They want his eyes right there on number eighty four, because on the back side of this play, you're gonna see that they're running again that stick nod route where you've got Dallas Goddor pretending he's gonna run a little stick route to the sideline. Then he's gonna bust it to the post, this nod portion of the route. He's gotten so much better over the course of the last couple of years at running this route. You need to be

really patient. Don't rush it, don't speed your way through it. You really need to sell this route. Make sure that all these defenders buy that you're heading to the sideline, and then sell it right up to the post. Now you're gonna see when Carson Wentz comes back to this side of the field. You're gonna have to put this up really, really high into this area the field. You need to put it up high above the face mask. Don't give this guy the opportunity to make the play

on the ball. We can let this run. This was a perfect throw from number eleven. He puts this up over the linebacker Sean Lee, away from the safety Xavier Woods. Only Dallas Godder can make this play number eighty eight, come down with a touchdown at the back of the end zone. Eagles go up, tend up. All right, thank you, fran. We are going to take one more quick break. On the other side, we have your nominees for the Toyota Player of the Week. Don't miss your chance to win

a free Toyota. We'll see you in a minute. You on the road, and I faith the road one was rocky. Ain't gonna break my shred, nobody I got to keep. Sometimes we prosper most when we help others. We respect that because it's Santon deir Bank. Respect DA. Now is your chance to vote for the Toyota Player of the Week. Go to Philadelphia Eagles dot com slash Toyota Player of the Week to cast your vote and get a chance

at a brand new Toyota. This week's nominees it's Fletcher Cox, Miles Sanders, and Carson Wentz, three players who had incredible games today. I think I have to go with Carson a little tour in there. Fletcher. Fletcher had maybe his

best game of the season, stopping Zeke Elliott playing hurt. Yeah, there's definitely arguments to be made for all three of these tiles, big, big, big, another big gang for Miles Sanders, and we didn't get a chance to mention it ain't me, so I want to mention it before we go off

the air. What an unselfish act for Mouse Sanders reminiscent of Brian Westbrook against the very same Dallas Cowboys on a Monday night years ago where he could have very easily gone in scored a touchdown, unselfishly and wisely goes down, ends all suspense. Game is over. Mouse Sanders, right there, nice job not going in the end zone just gives you an idea of what we're gonna be privileged to watch over this young man's career. That's just another example of who he is as a person. So nice job

from the young man, Mouse Sanders. I'm glad you brought that up. And of course that slide sliding with style. We'd love to see that little extra flare from Miles Sanders as well. My vote would have went to Fletcher Cox. Yeah, I think I probably the defense. He has to be the representative of the defense. Yes, but again, playing hurt the way he could, he plays through pain more than people even know. It takes a lot to stop that guy. All right, Time to look ahead to next week. We

will be facing the Giants. The Giants coming off a forty one thirty five overtime win over Washington today for rookie quarterback Daniel Jones. The second meeting between these two, the Eagles victorious against them the first one that I guess the Giants play a lot of overtime games these days. Going to be a different quarterback under center though, than the Eagles face the first time around. What do you see in this matchup? Yeah, get our first look at

rookie first round draft pick Daniel Jones. We had to face Eli obviously a couple of weeks ago on Monday Night. Daniel Jones healthy, more athletic. I think he has a live arm through five touchdowns today, obviously going up against that Red Skins defense, but still able to take advantage

of that. Gonna need another good game plan. Young man hasn't seen everything the NFL has to offer from a defensive scheme standpoint, so I think Jim Schwartz can have some fun coming up with some different looks that can

sort of confuse young Daniel Jones. You're get him back there, rattle, he will turn the ball over, So that's gonna be big next week going on the road for the Eagles, the most dangerous thing is a team that has nothing to lose, ye, So you gotta go in there and not give the Giants any reasons to believe they can win that game next week. If you let them hang around, you're gonna be in another dog fight with a team that you should seemingly take care of business against, but

you can't underestimate them. Had a proper respect for your opponent going in and knowing what's at stake. But you know how this is gonna be amy. Yes, this will be another tough game for us next week. And look at when you talk about a quarterback building confidence, what we've seen from Carson once in the past few games. You could say the same thing for Daniel Jones. With

this victory forty one points. For a rookie quarterback like he is, he's got to be feeling feeling pretty good and he of course wants to make a good impression and kind of solidify himself there as well as the Giants quarterback. There so definitely plenty for them to play for, especially for Daniel Jones as well as always, we will be right back here thirty minutes before kickoff on the pregame show presented by EXALTA friend Duffy will be joining me and we will always be right back here as

soon as the game is over to break down. Excuse me, I'm so excited about this win, to break down all the angles, all of the analysis, and of course all throughout this week. We'll have plenty of analysis as well of this win and looking ahead to the Giants game. We will see you guys next week. Happy holidays everybody. We will catch you on Sunday when the Eagles take on the Giants and hopefully secure their playoff spot. Happy holidays,