PHILADELPHIA - Nick Foles couldn't end the Eagles' worst losing streak in 15 years. The former UA Wildcat will get another chance at a win if Michael Vick can't return from a concussion.
The rookie QB filled in for Vick and rallied the Eagles until the Cowboys capitalized on turnovers and dominated the fourth quarter. The Eagles' 38-23 loss to Dallas on Sunday was their fifth straight, the longest losing streak in coach Andy Reid's 14 seasons.
Reid might not make it to Year 15. Vick might not make it to Sunday in Washington. With a 3-6 record, it's likely too late for the Eagles, no matter who the quarterback is, to save their season.
"Not good enough to win," said Foles, who was 22 of 32 for 219 yards and a touchdown. "I made some mistakes and I can't turn the ball over. That's the most important thing to win games."
People are also reading…
Foles hit the field in the second quarter and was greeted by a loud ovation from a crowd tired of Vick's erratic play.
Vick was knocked on his back by linebacker Ernie Sims on an incomplete pass and was slow to get up. He headed for the locker room and Foles started warming up. Vick, however, may have been injured on the previous play when he was driven from behind headfirst into the ground by tackle Jay Ratliff. Vick did not talk to reporters but appeared groggy in the locker room.
Reid said Vick's health would determine the starter for Sunday's game at Washington.
"I was hoping he'd make it through without having a concussion, but that's where we sit right now with him," Reid said.
Foles, a fan favorite without ever throwing a regular-season pass, looked like an instant hit and woke up a sleepy crowd in the third quarter when he hit Jeremy Maclin for a 44-yard TD and a 14-10 lead. Alex Henery's 40-yard field goal made it 17-10.
Foles was rolling, the Eagles were scoring, and the good times were back at Lincoln Financial Field. But in a season unraveling with each defeat, the Eagles were knocked down to reality.
Tony Romo threw two touchdown passes, Dwayne Harris had a 78-yard punt return TD, and Brandon Carr returned an interception 47 yards for a score for the Cowboys.
The Cowboys (4-5) and are second in the NFC East, 1 1/2 games behind the Giants, who lost to Cincinnati earlier Sunday.
"Don't use words like desperate," Romo said. "The importance was at its highest level. I don't know if we are thinking anything more than we need another win."
Romo, who finished 19 of 26 for 209 yards, tied it with that TD pass to Bryant.
Early in the final quarter, Foles had an interception return for a TD wiped out on a holding penalty. No worries, Dallas. Harris returned a punt 78 yards for a 24-17 lead that silenced the crowd.
On the next drive, Foles had an interception returned for a score that counted, by Carr, returned 47 yards for a 31-17 lead.
That was it for the fans in green, who fled for the exits. Stanley Havili had a 1-yard TD run with 1:55 left, but Henery missed the extra point.
Then Foles fumbled after he was sacked and Mike Jenkins recovered for a touchdown.
It's been awhile
The last UA quarterback to take a snap in a regular-season NFL game was Bill Demory, an undrafted free agent who started three games for the New York Jets in 1973. The Wildcats started 45 different QBs between the debuts of Demory and Foles, the most recent one being B.J. Denker, who led UA past Colorado on Saturday, filling in for the injured Matt Scott.
Ryan Finley
