Just when the Philadelphia Eagles hoped their season was getting better, it got worse.
Scoring two touchdowns in a 21-second span late in the fourth quarter, the Dallas Cowboys escaped Philadelphia with an improbable 21-20 victory on Monday night, sending the slumping Eagles to their third consecutive defeat.
Cowboys defensive back Roy Williams stunned the capacity crowd at Lincoln Financial Field by intercepting a pass by Donovan McNabb and returning it 46 yards for the winning touchdown with just 2 minutes and 43 seconds left to play. It was a particularly painful loss for McNabb, who, after throwing the interception, appeared to aggravate the sports hernia he has played with all season.
McNabb was 19 of 34 passing for 169 yards. He also rushed for 22 yards and scored a touchdown in the second quarter.
After two second-half field goals by David Akers increased Philadelphia's halftime lead to 20-7, the Cowboys staged a rally. Drew Bledsoe hit Terry Glenn with a 20-yard touchdown pass with 3:04 left that pulled Dallas to 20-14. Then, on the Eagles' next possession, McNabb threw a pass that Williams read perfectly. The ball hit Williams in the chest, and once he grabbed it, he raced down the sideline and sent Philadelphia's already difficult season into more turmoil.
The backup quarterback Mike McMahon replaced McNabb for the Eagles' final drive, but it fizzled out. After Reggie Brown could not hold on to a pass that would have put Philadelphia in position for a closer field goal, Akers ended the game by missing a 60-yard field goal.
The Cowboys (6-3) moved into a tie for first place in the National Football Conference East with the Giants (6-3). Both are ahead of Washington (5-4), while the Eagles (4-5) sit alone in last place.
This was Philadelphia's first home game this season without Terrell Owens, its suspended star receiver. The Eagles intend to play without Owens for the remainder of the season, and this game provided insight into how they plan to operate. Their offense was revamped, featuring a rejuvenated running game, a short passing attack, and a willingness by McNabb to use his legs to create opportunities.
Philadelphia called more running plays in this game than any contest this season. Brian Westbrook and Lamar Gordon ran the ball effectively, and instead of looking to his wide receivers, McNabb threw most of his passes to Westbrook or tight end L.J. Smith. But when it mattered most, Philadelphia found a way to lose and continued its downward slide.
The Eagles led, 14-7, at halftime, after a costly turnover by Bledsoe set up Philadelphia's second touchdown.
Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter made a key defensive play late in the second quarter, pressuring Bledsoe on a blitz. Bledsoe should have taken the sack. Instead, he threw the ball wildly while being tackled by Trotter, and Lito Sheppard intercepted the errant pass, giving Philadelphia a first down at Dallas' 19-yard line.
Four plays later, McNabb scored on a 2-yard run, breaking a 7-7 tie, and giving the Eagles momentum heading into the locker room.
Philadelphia opened the game by scoring on the first possession, marching 72 yards in 11 plays. Maligned all season for having a one-dimensional offense, the Eagles crossed up Dallas by running the football. Coach Andy Reid called running plays on six of the last seven plays of the drive, with Westbrook scoring the touchdown on a 15-yard scamper.
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