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Mudd's Genius Taking Shape On Field

Which stat impresses you the most from Sunday night's win?

Is it the fact that LeSean McCoy nearly doubled the amount of rushes of 10 yards or more the Cowboys allowed all season in just one game? McCoy gained at least 10 yards on the ground six times against the Cowboys, including a 13-yard touchdown. Dallas had only allowed seven rushes of 10 yards or more going into the game and no rushing touchdowns from that distance.

If that doesn't make you take notice, how about Michael Vick's under-the-radar 129.9 QB rating or his 75 percent completion percentage?

Still not wowed? How about the fact that punter Chas Henry was sidelined until midway through the fourth quarter (except on his holding duties, of course). The Eagles scored on each of their first six possessions.

Bottom line, it would not have been possible without the offensive line.

Howard Mudd came out of retirement this offseason and amassed a line that now features only one player at his position from last season (Jason Peters), two rookies (Jason Kelce, Danny Watkins), a free agent (Evan Mathis) and the team's unsung hero in Todd Herremans, who has played three different positions since the preseason.

Head coach Andy Reid, for one, isn't surprised by the dominating performance of the offensive line.

"I knew what I was getting when Howard came here, it wasn't like it was a surprise. You're talking about one of the best offensive line coaches to have coached this game," Reid said. "I think it's just a matter of time, spending time and playing together. ... They're going against a good defensive line, I think one of the best defensive lines in the National Football League. I count the outside backers as part of that defensive line. I thought, all in all, they did a pretty good job."

Mudd utilizes more athletic linemen who can fire off the ball quickly and get out in space. That speed and quickness was essential to combat the Dallas front seven which is very athletic as well with All-Pros like Jay Ratliff at nose tackle and DeMarcus Ware at outside linebacker. Peters, who became one of the league's best left tackles playing in a similar scheme in Buffalo, is so agile - he was originally signed as a rookie free agent tight end - that he is a 340-pound tank steamrolling defenders paving the way for backs and receivers.

One of the most beautiful plays of the night was Jeremy Maclin's 12-yard touchdown to open the scoring in the first quarter. Vick called an audible to offset the Cowboys blitz and checked into a bubble screen. Vick quickly got the ball to Maclin on the left side and he had a wave of offensive linemen escorting him into the end zone.

The Eagles are on a record-setting offensive pace this season. Their fast-break offense is balanced thanks to the dynamic offensive line and the Eagles' newfound ability to get out of their own way.

"This isn't anything surprising to us and I don't think it should be anything surprising to the people that have been watching because we've been able to move the ball all season long," Kelce said. "What's killed us has been turnovers, not converting on short yardage, and I think we corrected a lot of those things."

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