The butt fumble has yielded to an ass kicking.
Two years ago, the career of quarterback Mark Sanchez hit a nadir when his noggin slammed into the backside of guard Brandon Moore. The accidental blast into Moore’s hind quarters resulted in a turnover, and the term “butt fumble” was born.
Fast forward to November 2014, where Sanchez has authored a stirring victory over the Cowboys in their own building. The 33-10 final score — the second-worst Dallas loss on Thanksgiving — suggests that a significant gap exists between the two teams vying for supremacy in the NFC East. It also will make some wonder whether that 8-3 start by Dallas will inevitably disintegrate into another Auld Lang Syne of 8-8.
For the day, Sanchez threw for under 300 yards for the first time while playing for the Eagles. He had a career-high 202 yards in the first half, but the Eagles didn’t need him to throw much in the second two quarters, with the defense stifling the Dallas offense and running back LeSean McCoy moving the chains.
With the Seahawks and Cowboys due to visit Philly in the next two weeks and Nick Foles’ collarbone possibly taking longer than 6-8 weeks to heal, it could be that Sanchez will remain the starter for the rest of the regular season and beyond, with the former Jet whose prospects nose dived after back to back AFC title-game appearances getting a chance to take the Eagles to the NFC championship, and possibly beyond.