From GCobb.com, my thoughts on the Eagles/Cowboys game Sunday:

If we haven’t learned a lesson about jumping to conclusions during the season, then we aren’t paying attention.

The Eagles were left for dead after the Baltimore game and Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb were surely out of here. Say whatever you want, the bottom line is that they are in the playoffs now. For all those calling for McNabb’s head on a stick after this season, I’ll tell you that there is no way they make it this far without him. Appreciate what you have now in Reid and McNabb (for all their faults), because you never know when Kotite and Hoying are coming in next (and I say that while admitting that I’ve been very critical of Reid this year). So let’s look at the game:

What I liked…

-Chris Clemons may finally be coming alive. He would be tremendously valuable to the Birds in the post season if he can provide some extra pass rush. And what did you think of that stiff arm, Tashard?

-Donovan didn’t blow up, but he didn’t have to. He was just efficient and took excellent care of the ball. The game was actually getting out of hand while he was on the sidelines. A side note: anyone notice his touch passing the last few games? Earlier in the season he seemed to be rocketing every pass. For whatever reason, he’s now using the touch that everyone claims he doesn’t have.

-Good thing the Eagles didn’t use Buck more this season, he didn’t add anything to the offense at all.

-Whatever Brian Dawkins has lost in his speed, he surely hasn’t lost anything in his heart. Is there anyone in the NFL with better focus and drive?

-I have to give credit to the Eagles front seven as a whole. They just dominated Dallas’ offensive line to the point where they benched Cory Proctor. Romo even said after the game that they had no answer for the Eagles rush schemes.

-David Akers missed a kick just to left with the game well out of hand, but he was dead on the rest of the game. For the record, he’s been dead on for quite some time now after getting out to a shaky start. Akers is key to the Eagles post-season success and it’s great to see that he’s recalibrated. Also, anyone notice that he’s knocking the stuffing out of the ball on kickoffs? Can’t put a price on that (ok, yes you can).

-I still have man love for Quintin Demps in case anyone was wondering.

-Sheldon Brown got his first pick of the season on Sunday but he’s been absolutely solid all year. Sheldon is easily taken for granted because all he does is his job.

-Nick Cole got a great push on the QB sneak that went for a TD.

-No sacks for DeMarcus Ware? Love it. Job well done, Tra Thomas.

-I’ll say it: Excellent job, Andy Reid. For all the criticisms fired his way, it’s only fair to acknowledge when he does well. The bottom line is that he had his team prepared to play this game. I’ve been on Reid for numerous things this year (playcalling, time management), but he does a great job getting his team ready to go.

…and not so much:

-They were too good on Sunday for me to nitpick. But if I HAD to….I’d ask why Westbrook was getting a carry or two in garbage time. Just sayin’.