The running game worked because the Cowboys were not expecting it, and because Philadelphia's offensive line blocked effectively. Jamaal Brown played well in his first career start at center, replacing the injured Hank Fraley. And Philadelphia's ball control kept Dallas' offense on the sideline.
Dallas scored late in the first quarter, after Bledsoe and Peerless Price connected on a 58-yard pass. Price was open on a deep post pattern after Dallas anticipated a blitz by the Eagles.
Price easily got behind Eagles safety Brian Dawkins, who shoved Price out of bounds at Philadelphia's 3-yard line.
Marion Barber eventually scored on a 1-yard run, tying the score at 7-7.
The Eagles hoped for revenge against the Cowboys, who had already beaten them this season, 33-10 last month in Dallas. Instead, the Eagles finished with another emotional defeat, and their run of four consecutive trips to the NFC championship game may soon come to an end.
After numerous disappointments, the Eagles finally advanced to the Super Bowl in February, where they were defeated by the New England Patriots.
But the last four Super Bowl losers have failed to make the playoffs the next season, and the Eagles will also have that same fate unless they regroup quickly.
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