ARLINGTON, Tx. --The mission was simple. If the Eagles could apply pressure to quarterback Tony Romo early and force him into some early mistakes, the Eagles' high-powered offense could take control.

It never happened on Sunday as the Eagles fell to the Cowboys, 24-0. Romo finished the game 24-of-34 for 311 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception.

"He's a good quarterback," said cornerback Asante Samuel, who was beat by tight end Jason Witten for the first score of the game. "It seemed like he knew every formation that we lined up in. All of his reads were correct. Their offense did a good job today."

Defensive coordinator Sean McDermott dialed down the pressure applied to Romo early on to prevent the big play. As a result, the Cowboys were able to establish early success with the ground game. With the Eagles' defense forced to account for the run, Romo had plenty of time in the pocket and frustrated any attempts to rattle him by getting rid of the ball quickly.

Even when Joselio Hanson intercepted Romo late in the first quarter to squelch a scoring drive, the Eagles were unable to capitalize on offense.

Romo was sacked twice in the game, but not until the game was well at hand in the fourth quarter.

Afterward, rookie free safety Macho Harris said he relishes the chance to get back in the meeting room this week to see what McDermott is going to have cooked up for Romo next weekend in the first round of the playoffs.

"Sean McDermott is a smart guy. He's a great coach," Harris said. "They were catching us in the zones today. I can't wait to get back on the field and I know the guys in this locker room feel the same way."

-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 9:15 p.m., January 3