So many memories involving the Eagles-Cowboys games over the years, one of the heated rivalries in football. We all have our favorite Philly-Dallas memories and favorite games. Here are some facts and figures and notable Eagle-Cowboy games, including my own personal favorite:
NFL Championships-
Eagles- 3
Cowboys- 5
Super Bowl Championships-
Cowboys- 5
Super Bowl Appearances-
Eagles- 2
Cowboys- 8
NFC Divisional Championships-
Eagles- 13
Cowboys- 23
* 1980 NFC Championship game. Eagles go to Super Bowl by defeating Dallas 20-7, highlighted by touchdown run from RB Wilbert Montgomery
* The 1987 NFL Season- Strike-season, Dallas players cross picket-line and humiliate Eagles, who played with replacement players. In return, Buddy Ryan had QB Randall Cunningham fake a kneel-down with time running out and the Eagles winning big, instead Cunningham throws the ball which results in an added-on embarrassing touchdown, Eagles winning 37-20.
* Opening game of 1001, Eagles crush the Cowboys in Dallas 24-0 and sack QB Troy Aikman a record 11 times.
* The Bounty Bowls 1 ans 2, and the Porkchop Bowl,when coach Buddy Ryan allegedly put out "bounties" on certain Cowboy players.
* Nov. 1996 ,LB James Willis intercepts a Troy Akrman pass in the end zone, lateraling to CB Troy Vincent, who returns the ball for a 104-yard TD to seal a 31-21 Eagles win.
* October 10, 1999 WR Michael irvin suffers career-ending spinal cord injury while playing at Veterans Stadium, as Eagles fans jeer.
* September 2000, the "Pickle Juice" game, played in 104 degree temperatures in Texas, Eagles beat Dallas 41-14
* Oct. 12, 2003-Eagles open game with surprise on-side kick but lose game 23-21
* December 2003- The first time Eagles play Dallas at the Linc, they win 36-10.
* December 28, 2003- Eagles destroy Cowboys 44-6 to win NFC East Championship.
Those at just a few highlights Here's mine, a game I actually attended:
2006, Terrell Owens first game back in Philadelphia after bolting the Eagles for the dreaded Cowboys. The hype that week was tremendous, trash-talking about T.O.'s return. As it turned out, not only did the Eagles win the game, 39-24, Owens was held to only 3 catches all day.
With the score 31-24 and the Cowboys driving for the game-tying touchdown with only a minute to play, Eagles' CB Lito Sheppard intercepted a pass and streaked down the sideline for a 90-yard plus TD, as the crowd of 60,000 frenzied Eagles fans chanted "Lito!" ( the old Boz Scaggs song).
It was a fun time, made even better because the Birds beat Dallas.
Sure, there were other less flattering moments, such as when holder Tommy Hutton fumbled a snap for a chip-shot field goal which would have upset the Cowboys in Dallas on Monday Night Football ( with Howard Cosell still around).
Tomorrow should provide even more memories to cherish. The Eagles are clearly the better team. Dallas needs to win to stay in contention for the division race and the playoffs. Dallas is banged up, with their starting left tackle, kicker, middle linebacker and best running back.
The Eagles can't take the game for granted or turn the ball over. They need to crush Dallas and owner Jerry Jones, giving the birds an assured NFC East championship and a deep run to the Super Bowl.
It's the best Eagles team in years, with a chance to go far, and a priceless chance to defeat their most hated rival, on Sunday Night Football, a chance to go 9-1 plus knock Dallas on the brink of playoff elimination.
Eagles 31 Cowboys 23
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