If the Eagles would have won a challenge, they would have been given the first down but not a touchdown, because the officials had ruled the play an incompletion. At worst, however, it was going to cost the Eagles a time-out to challenge the play, and it seemed like a worthwhile risk.
Instead, Reid held on to the red flag and sent David Akers in to kick a 34-yard field goal that gave the Eagles a 3-0 lead.
A defensive TD. The Eagles' defensive touchdown in the second quarter surpassed their entire total for last season, when they had none.
Their last defensive touchdown came against the Giants on Dec. 17, 2006, when defensive end Trent Cole scored after intercepting an Eli Manning pass.
Chris Gocong got credit for the score after Brian Dawkins forced a fumble by Tony Romo in the end zone. The play was botched from the beginning by Romo, who initially dropped the football trying to hand it off to Marion Barber.
Andrews injured. The Eagles played the second half without Pro Bowl guard Shawn Andrews who injured his back in the first half. Max Jean-Gilles replaced Andrews.
Rookie defensive tackle Trevor Laws left in the second quarter with a quad injury and fullback Tony Hunt left in the same quarter with a hamstring injury.
Brown out again. Reggie Brown's return to the field will have to wait.
After Reid showed optimism about Brown's playing, the team decided it would be best if the fourth-year receiver waited at least one more week before returning from a strained left hamstring.
It marked the second straight game the Eagles played without Brown and Kevin Curtis, the two projected starters when training camp opened. The starters for the second straight game were rookie DeSean Jackson and third-year receiver Hank Baskett.
