Tony Romo

The scenario is as grim as it gets for Eagles fans. Their favorite team will go into Texas Stadium tomorrow locked in last place in the NFC East. Their least favorite team, the hated Dallas Cowboys, has already locked up the division title for the first time since 1998 and has a legitimate chance to go 15-1, an accomplishment that would be getting far more attention if the New England Patriots weren't trying to become the first 16-0 team in NFL history. For the record, only four teams in history - San Francisco in 1984, Chicago in 1985, Minnesota in 1998, and Pittsburgh in 2004 - have finished 15-1.

1. Eli Manning                2. Donovan McNabb 3. Tony Romo                4. Vick

Tony Romo's three turnovers were momentarily meaningless last night when some of his Dallas teammates started yelling in the shower after the Cowboys quarterback collapsed because of the pain from a rib injury. Athletic trainer Jim Maurer and his staff rushed into the shower as the visitors' locker room at Lincoln Financial Field came to a near standstill. Romo was helped to his feet and taken into the training room. When asked later what happened, Romo said, "Um, you know, I was just a little banged up, I guess.

THE DALLAS COWBOYS are no longer "America's Team," but are the most hated, and Eagles quarterback Michael Vick has not won over a large percentage of NFL fans, according to a survey released by Public Policy Polling in Raleigh, N.C. In trying to determine America's most popular team, the poll listed nine choices. The Packers are the favorite team of 22 percent of respondents, while 11 percent prefer the Cowboys, 8 percent each the Chicago Bears, New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers, 7 percent the New Orleans Saints, 6 percent the New England Patriots, 4 percent the Washington Redskins, and 2 percent the New York Jets.

Recent history: The teams split last season's games, the Eagles making the playoffs by routing Dallas in the regular-season final, 44-6. The Cowboys lead the series, 55-44.   OFFENSE   Eagles: 344.4 yards per game (15th) Cowboys: 411.1 yards per game (2nd)   Quarterback   Eagles: Donovan McNabb is coming off his best game of the season. Using screens, slants and other quick-developing plays to counter the Giants' pass rush, he had just six incompletions in 23 attempts, and four of those were batted balls.

Tony Romo didn't have to wait until the offseason to get his big payday from the Dallas Cowboys after all. Romo has agreed to a 6-year, $67 million deal that will be announced today, according to a person familiar with the deal who requested anonymity because the contact has not been announced. The contract, which will become effective this week and provides salary cap relief for Dallas, includes $30 million in guaranteed money. "It's a great feeling you have when the organization and the people stand behind you, and you can be the quarterback for a long, long time," Romo said.

Les Bowen   COWBOYS OFFENSE vs. Eagles defense. That's where I see the root of the problem. How do you get Tony Romo off the field, so your offense has a chance to get into rhythm? If Sunday's Eagles defensive performance were the exception, maybe you'd have faith in Sean McDermott's ability to change the vibe in a 6-day span. But this is the same defense that gave up 512 yards to the Giants Dec. 13, that held opponents under Jim Johnson's old, cherished standard of 17 points or fewer only twice in the final nine games.

The loss was only the Eagles' third in 11 games at home against the Cowboys under Andy Reid. The Eagles failed to score on their first possession for the fourth time in eight games. Sheldon Brown notched his fourth interception of the season in the third quarter. That tied his career high. He also had four interceptions in 2005. David Akers, who made all three of his field-goal attempts, has missed just four times in 40 career attempts against the Cowboys. Last night was the fifth time this season the Eagles had recorded at least three sacks.

Thumbs Up To Jets linebacker Bart Scott, who is, in my mind, one of the best interviews in sports. Intelligent, funny, honest, he's the whole package. Asked the other day about the confident attitude that he and head coach Rex Ryan have brought to the Jets, he said, "I think we're no more confident than any other team. I just think the only difference is we tell you [media] guys that and the rest of the people lie to you. " Thumbs Up To Vikings quarterback Brett Favre, whose Monday night performance against his old team, the Packers, more than lived up to the game's hype.

All indications are that Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo isn't in danger of missing Sunday night's game at the New York Giants to determine who wins the NFC East and goes to the playoffs. Reports out of Texas said that the swelling has subsided on Romo's bruised throwing hand and he could be ready to practice Wednesday. Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said a number of tests confirmed the original diagnosis of nothing being broken in the QB's right hand. Asked if Romo can grip a football, Garrett said that the player has a relatively firm handshake.

ALL THE negative tests on quarterback Tony Romo's bruised throwing hand are positives for the Dallas Cowboys. Coach Jason Garrett said yesterday that the swelling is going down and that a number of tests have confirmed the original diagnosis of nothing being broken in Romo's right hand. The Cowboys are hopeful that he can practice tomorrow. "It looks like it is getting better. All the X-rays and tests that have come back are negative," Garrett said. "We hope in the next couple of days with treatment he'll be able to take a snap and hold a football and throw it the way he needs to. " When asked if Romo could grip a football, the coach responded, "He has a relatively firm handshake.

ARLINGTON, Texas - If the Eagles were half as smart and professional as the organization thinks it is, the final whistle in the Meadowlands on Saturday would also have marked the end of business as usual for them in the 2011 season. A few minutes still remained in the first quarter in Cowboys Stadium, with the Eagles leading Dallas, 7-0, when the serial embarrassment of Mark Sanchez finally came to a thudding close in the swamplands of New Jersey. By virtue of the Giants' win over the Jets, the Eagles were eliminated from the playoffs.

ARLINGTON, Texas - The Eagles had the lead, but they were out of the playoffs. Michael Vick found Brent Celek for a touchdown on the game's opening drive Saturday, giving the Eagles a 7-0 advantage, but in New Jersey their faint playoff hopes flickered and were ultimately extinguished. As the Eagles and Cowboys played their first quarter, the Giants beat the Jets, eliminating Andy Reid's team from playoff contention. The Cowboys and Giants will now play next Sunday night with the NFC East title on the line.

ARLINGTON, Texas - The Eagles' playoff hopes ended Saturday, and so might have LeSean McCoy 's chances to win the NFL rushing title or set an Eagles rushing record. McCoy had just 35 yards on 13 carries, giving him 1,309 for the year. Jacksonville's Maurice Jones-Drew ran for 103 yards Saturday, giving him 1,437 for the season, a 128-yard edge heading into the final week of the season. "I laid an egg today, so I probably won't get to get it," McCoy said. He left the game briefly with what coach Andy Reid described as a "tweaked" ankle, and then briefly returned before giving way to backup Ronnie Brown . Wilbert Montgomery 's team rushing record of 1,512 yards in a season now appears safe.

IRVING, Texas - Cowboys rookie right tackle Tyron Smith sat in front of his locker Thursday and fiddled with the customized remote-control car that was a Christmas present from fellow offensive linemen Kyle Kosier and Doug Free. It was a rare reminder this season of Smith's youth. Otherwise, Smith hasn't looked anything like the youngest player in the NFL, which he is. Just 11 days ago, Smith reached the legal drinking age of 21. So much has been made of the rise of Cowboys third-round pick DeMarco Murray.

THE DALLAS COWBOYS are no longer "America's Team," but are the most hated, and Eagles quarterback Michael Vick has not won over a large percentage of NFL fans, according to a survey released by Public Policy Polling in Raleigh, N.C. In trying to determine America's most popular team, the poll listed nine choices. The Packers are the favorite team of 22 percent of respondents, while 11 percent prefer the Cowboys, 8 percent each the Chicago Bears, New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers, 7 percent the New Orleans Saints, 6 percent the New England Patriots, 4 percent the Washington Redskins, and 2 percent the New York Jets.

IRVING, Texas - While Dallas owner Jerry Jones is playing the fear factor as the Cowboys get to host the Eagles on Saturday, his coach and players are focused just on playing the game. Earlier this week, Jones said on a radio show that he was "scared" of the Eagles, who routed his team, 34-7, nearly 2 months ago at Lincoln Financial Field. "It's probably not my position to explain that," coach Jason Garrett said yesterday, when asked about Jones' remark. "I know that we as coaches and players are focused on getting ready to play our best on Saturday . . . We have great respect for their team.

IRVING, Texas - Perceptions shift quickly in the NFL. Tony Romo is an example. Football experts from Regis Philbin to Deion Sanders - OK, only one of those is an expert, your choice - have been critical of his performance this season. Some have argued the quarterback is the anchor around the Cowboys' neck that leads to the team's annual December plunge in the standings. Those opinions are so yesterday. Romo enters this Christmas Eve showdown with the Eagles at the peak of his powers.