Josh Huff had never seen a play like that. An opening kickoff from Dallas' Dan Bailey fluttered in the air at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday night and landed between upback Brad Smith and Huff, the deep man, at the Philadelphia 15-yard line.
And the trouble was on.
Huff sprinted to try to pounce on the live football, but Cowboys' cover man C.J. Spillman beat him to it and Dallas had the football on the Eagles' 15-yard line to open the game. Five plays later, the Cowboys scored a touchdown and led 7-0, en route to a 38-27 lead and first place in the NFC East.
"The ball just died and I was running up trying to get to the football," Huff said. "It was just a freak-of-nature play, I guess. I've never seen that happen in all of my years of playing football, the ball just dying like it did. i tried to run up there as fast as I could to catch it, but I got there too late."
The strategy was intentional as the Cowboys didn't want to give Huff a chance to break off a big kickoff return. He had four returns for 54 yards, an average of 13.5 yards per return. Smith had one return for 21 yards. Huff entered the game averaging 38.1 yards per return this season, including the 107-yarder against Tennessee.
"I think the wind was a little tricky tonight," said Dallas head coach Jason Garrett. "It certainly was a great night to play football, but that wind was a little bit of a factor on a couple of those kicks. So our guys really ran well. C.J. does a heck of a job making the play on that ball to give us that early opportunity."
Huff had a 44-yard catch and run and showed his explosiveness on the play. He's a talented rookie who said he put the team in a "bad predicament" on the opening kickoff, but it's hard to say that it was his fault. The Cowboys just executed a play to perfection.
"The normal protocol is that when the ball goes over Brad's head he calls back to me to come up and field it," Huff said. "Once the ball went over his head and I saw him point back to me, I was making my way to the ball and it just instantly died once it got over his head and I tried to come up and make a play on it. Unfortunately I got up there too short."
It's Sunday night and the biggest game in the NFL is the Cowboys-Eagles' showdown for first place in the NFC East ...
![TE Zach Ertz hurdling the tackler](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/wr1netk24poucs8kikn3.jpg)
TE Zach Ertz hurdling the tackler
![RB Darren Sproles crossing the goal line for the touchdown](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/ar5pgkwd6nz15dyp5mge.jpg)
RB Darren Sproles crossing the goal line for the touchdown
![RB LeSean McCoy](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/j8y8bhnd5m3rynceh32q.jpg)
RB LeSean McCoy
![RB Chris Polk celebrating his touchdown](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/p5asmottjn7rmmrb4z8n.jpg)
RB Chris Polk celebrating his touchdown
![The Linc lighting up for tonght's game](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/zgnadhzkgjhsssryv67q.jpg)
The Linc lighting up for tonght's game
![S Malcolm Jenkins making the tackle](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/w9bd5zpqabdz9kh2t07i.jpg)
S Malcolm Jenkins making the tackle
![WR Jeremy Maclin warming up for the big game](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/t9fvxhcqqyxw6wvazupe.jpg)
WR Jeremy Maclin warming up for the big game
![G Andrew Gardener warming up for tonight's game](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/uy9aukhlzpypotcxistf.jpg)
G Andrew Gardener warming up for tonight's game
![QB Nick Foles is here to enjoy the divisional rivalry](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/e4tlzt5s5oxsqzexk077.jpg)
QB Nick Foles is here to enjoy the divisional rivalry
![T Dennis Kelly out on the field before the game](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/g9f9vjx09kdd5xpasalx.jpg)
T Dennis Kelly out on the field before the game
![C/G Julian Vandervelde](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/xipf54tnsdrj30yobuw8.jpg)
C/G Julian Vandervelde
![Fans are here for the big game!](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/f3my9wsqbs6p88ejgbgt.jpg)
Fans are here for the big game!
![TE Trey Burton during warmups](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/yqkpvqoz8d5oa8verey8.jpg)
TE Trey Burton during warmups
![TE James Casey](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/vupboukoscnev3jzw5e3.jpg)
TE James Casey
![WR Josh Huff returning the kick](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/e7vm1m7mbqci7iriwidk.jpg)
WR Josh Huff returning the kick
![QB Mark Sanchez back in the pocket](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/z8tny5n0ldsrsr6gg9mn.jpg)
QB Mark Sanchez back in the pocket
![RB LeSean McCoy trying to get the offense going](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/wyfifax3pwj8vbxonfgm.jpg)
RB LeSean McCoy trying to get the offense going
![LB Trent Cole with the pressure](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/lxwznsek6xpbvmkvkmlp.jpg)
LB Trent Cole with the pressure
![DE Fletcher Cox with the tackle](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/n80kz2jbk5q3jakr0fgk.jpg)
DE Fletcher Cox with the tackle
![And then DE Cox with the celebration](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/po0smuojgqruh4loolok.jpg)
And then DE Cox with the celebration
![A happy DE Fletcher Cox](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/iiwbq4u6rrgh1bwjziwa.jpg)
A happy DE Fletcher Cox
![TE Brent Celek making the third down completion](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/xgoft0coxcdtjskhoyme.jpg)
TE Brent Celek making the third down completion
![K Cody Parkey making the point after](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/kfmovhb65inlfjchkfdf.jpg)
K Cody Parkey making the point after
![TE Brent Celek with the catch](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/nhar8cxznnlemyky4jgn.jpg)
TE Brent Celek with the catch
![RB LeSean McCoy on the run](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/glhuvfbrlkfywdcvbbja.jpg)
RB LeSean McCoy on the run
![Eagles cheerleaders out in the cold for tonight's game](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/dpkth1vvxtob68cefpdg.jpg)
Eagles cheerleaders out in the cold for tonight's game
![QB Mark Sanchez finding TE Brent Celek down field](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/d44ivodaoar3h3vwhn9o.jpg)
QB Mark Sanchez finding TE Brent Celek down field
![RB LeSean McCoy throwing out a stiff arm on the tackler](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/mesxexpvmsx6dvpfhhfc.jpg)
RB LeSean McCoy throwing out a stiff arm on the tackler
![TE Zach Ertz making the catch](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/kfpvfhh6mba8ujmzvqm7.jpg)
TE Zach Ertz making the catch
![Eagles fans are in full force tonight at the game](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/pgossgdvd6oevo2dwr1j.jpg)
Eagles fans are in full force tonight at the game
![WR Jordan Matthews and RB Chris Polk celebrating the touchdown](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/xo0l7uj0hz2pwoj2a4pg.jpg)
WR Jordan Matthews and RB Chris Polk celebrating the touchdown
![RB Chris Polk carrying tacklers into the end zone](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/zjrsbnnast5zmatc7fvq.jpg)
RB Chris Polk carrying tacklers into the end zone
![LB Connor Barwin putting pressure on the quarterback](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/bkfckp7wxcmg9afbhcpa.jpg)
LB Connor Barwin putting pressure on the quarterback
![CB Nolan Carroll II with the special teams tackle](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/ycjletknrefdkxq4uueq.jpg)
CB Nolan Carroll II with the special teams tackle
![WR Josh Huff bouncing off of players on the return](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/c5pzqaisllmul6we4bqm.jpg)
WR Josh Huff bouncing off of players on the return
![RB Chris Polk accepting the ball from QB Mark Sanchez](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/xkgfm22bmtiolgpothcm.jpg)
RB Chris Polk accepting the ball from QB Mark Sanchez
![RB Chris Polk now has two touchdowns on the night!](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/tcl8qvxm7dxq3et6wqy3.jpg)
RB Chris Polk now has two touchdowns on the night!
![LB Casey Matthews making the tackle](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/vb29skvkjwqj7i9z0dxa.jpg)
LB Casey Matthews making the tackle
![LB Connor Barwin and the defense is starting to feel it](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/ijsqpijqr5cdkmk9ey4c.jpg)
LB Connor Barwin and the defense is starting to feel it
![TE Zach Ertz](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/n686k2xdixaufflrcpiq.jpg)
TE Zach Ertz
![BrotherlyLove](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/bwkznztuemgviqa8x9mf.jpg)
BrotherlyLove
![S Chris Prosinski making the shoe string tackle](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/yaqm1dsjvkrzb1de56as.jpg)
S Chris Prosinski making the shoe string tackle
![The stands are packed tonight!](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/klkrkluezvh9fnmlog0n.jpg)
The stands are packed tonight!
![RB LeSean McCoy](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/igsc3iw7dcmxx2ofnjct.jpg)
RB LeSean McCoy
![QB Mark Sanchez on the roll out](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/fm0hmws6bc1wvlz1g4wh.jpg)
QB Mark Sanchez on the roll out
![S Chris Prosinski fighting through the block](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/zu3aeyymwinlokbjgaa8.jpg)
S Chris Prosinski fighting through the block
![CB Bradley Fletcher making the tackle](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/shtjvmi9ox1fubrkpuqv.jpg)
CB Bradley Fletcher making the tackle
![The field goal unit before the snap](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/ou9qpgr56jsyu576thw5.jpg)
The field goal unit before the snap
![DE Cedric Thornton getting to the QB](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/yt5q82yjx0lrihrskmtf.jpg)
DE Cedric Thornton getting to the QB
![WR Jeremy Maclin catching the ball for a big gain!](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/yvq61gpnmrlbsirulxbd.jpg)
WR Jeremy Maclin catching the ball for a big gain!
![WR Jeremy Maclin fighting through the tackle](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/slt36mco8aplxcdudhgk.jpg)
WR Jeremy Maclin fighting through the tackle
![QB Mark Sanchez](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/qtgvkcqqeu2aebwq2fjw.jpg)
QB Mark Sanchez
![WR Jeremy Maclin coming up just short of the goal line](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/okqd0vltac88w2cys9am.jpg)
WR Jeremy Maclin coming up just short of the goal line
![RB Chris Polk tossing the ball into the stands after his second score](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/c0md0ah168nvospczaue.jpg)
RB Chris Polk tossing the ball into the stands after his second score
![RB Darren Sproles scampering into the end zone](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/qq3fryzwbxhq8sgnjcex.jpg)
RB Darren Sproles scampering into the end zone
![RB LeSean McCoy looking for a hole in the defense](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/yqtdco1mhacmyohhevpd.jpg)
RB LeSean McCoy looking for a hole in the defense
![Celebrating the Sproles touchdown](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/e5fz4roaoe35mak4lh5y.jpg)
Celebrating the Sproles touchdown