The Dallas Cowboys hosted the Philadelphia Eagles in an NFC East showdown, but it was the away team, Philadelphia, who came away with the 33-27 victory in overtime.
Matt Cassel, who was under center for the injured Tony Romo, found Cole Beasley for the first score of the game with 6:44 left in the first quarter. The score was a five-yard connection in the end zone to put Dallas on top, 7-0.
It took Philadelphia awhile to score, but DeMarco Murray made it happen as he took a one-yard goal line carry into the end zone to tie the game just six minutes into the second quarter. Murray carried the ball 18 times for 83 yards and a score, along with nine receptions for 78 yards.
In the third, the Eagles extended their lead on the ground, but this time it was Ryan Matthews. The halfback scored from six-yards out to give the Eagles a 14-7 lead. Matthews was second on the team with 11 carries for 67 yards plus a touchdown.
About six minutes and 30 seconds later, the Cowboys struck, it was Beasley again. The receiver was found down field for a 17-yard touchdown to tie the game, 14-14 with 2:04 left in the third quarter.
Leading the receivers for Dallas was Beasly, who caught 112 yards and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, Jason Witten, a veteran tight end, chipped in 43 yards.
Cassel dropped back and was looking for a receiver, but Jordan Hicks jumped in the path of the ball and made an interception. While the interceptions was nice, Hicks put the icing on the cake with a 67-yard return for a pick-six. The interception return gave the Eagles a 21-14 lead with 12:47 left in the fourth quarter.
After the pick-six, Lucky Whitehead, a 22-year-old, returned the kickoff for 79-yards to the Philadelphia 24-yard line to give Cassell and the Cowboys outstanding field position.
Seconds later, Cassel tossed up a prayer after being chased way behind the line of scrimmage. Dez Bryant, one of the best receivers in the game, jumped up higher than anyone to make the catch to tie the game at 21 with 10:52 left in regulation.
Bryant was second on the Dallas offense with 104 yards receiving on nine receptions. Bryant caught an outstanding touchdown, but the defense for the Cowboys were not able to help the offense.
Cassel bought himself a ton of time with his legs, which allowed him to throw it up for a jump ball. It was the third touchdown of the game for the 33-year-old.
Wasting no time, Sam Bradford, the Eagles quarterback, marched the team right down the field. The drive was capped off by a 31-yard field goal by Caleb Sturgis, which gave the Eagles a 24-21 lead with 7:27 to play in the game.
Believe it or not, the Cowboys tied it up. Dan Bailey drilled a 41-yard field goal with ease to make it a 24-24 game with 2:58 left in the fourth quarter.
With 2:38 left, Jordan Matthews caught a 34-yard pass to bring the Eagles into the Cowboys territory. After creeping into field goal territory, Sturgis had a chance to give Philadelphia another lead.
From 53 yards out, Sturgis put his foot into it and the ball sailed through the uprights to give the Eagles a 27-24 lead with 1:46 left in the game.
On fourth-down and five, Cassel completed a pass to Terrance Williams down the middle for a first down to keep the late drive alive for the Cowboys.
A huge flag on Byron Maxwell gave the Cowboys an automatic first down with 19 seconds to play. Bryant was the intended receiver on the play. It was Maxwell's second interference call on the drive.
The next play was Cassel to Bryant for a 12-yard gain to the Philadelphia 31-yard line. Holding on Malcom Jenkins gave the Cowboys five extra yards to give Bailey a shot at a 44-yard field goal.
Bailey, who is one of the best field goal kickers of all time, cashed in from 44 yards out to tie the game. The field goal went off the post and through the uprights to send the game to overtime, tied 27-27.
Cassel completed 25-of-38 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns, but he threw a pivotal pick-six interception. Darren McFadden ran 27 times for 117 yards, but could not add to the scoreboard as he was not able to find the end zone.
Bradford and the Eagles started with the ball to start overtime.
Chip Kelly, the Eagles head coach, elected to go for it on a fourth-and-one situation. R. Matthews took the carry and surged for a first down.
Just one play later, the game was over. Bradford found J. Matthews down the middle of the field for a sure first down, but Matthews found an opening and scored on a 41-yard connection to give the Eagles a 33-27 victory over the Cowboys.
"Me and Byron had been competing all game," said Matthews. "He doesn't play like a rookie, and he's so aggressive. We said let's try and go with a double move. Sam threw it right on the money."
"Jordan did a great job running that route," Bradford said. "It was something that we worked on all week. Best birthday present ever."
Bradford finished the game 25-for-36 with 295 yards and a game-winning touchdown. He found Matthews nine times for 133 yards and a score, while connecting with his tight end Zach Ertz for 44 yards.
"You see our team coming closer and closer together each week, and we're trying to figure out a way to get it done," Cassel said. "That's not to say this doesn't hurt. I'm not trying to minimize what happened."
The Eagles improved to 4-4 overall and will face the Miami Dolphins at home next week. As for the Cowboys, they fell to 2-6 and will travel on the road to play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next week.