The Dallas Cowboys just got their most impressive victory in the last 24 months, upsetting the Eagles despite a 21-0 deficit. It was one of the most improbable wins by the Cowboys in recent memory as Dallas did everything possible to lose… and yet they still found a way to get it done.
There were several players who shined and willed Dallas to a win on Sunday. And there are a few who need to step up soon if the Cowboys want to make a run to the postseason. So without further ado, here are the biggest winners and losers from a WILD Week 12 victory.
### Winner: Dak Prescott
What more can be said about Dak Prescott at this point? Despite facing one of the NFL’s best defenses, he was able to consistently deliver and find ways to help the team move the football. Prescott has now won 19-straight games at home against NFC East opponents and reminded everyone who is the best quarterback in the division.
Prescott did have a red zone interception, but there was some contact on the play that was certainly worthy of a flag. Still, he finished the game with three total touchdowns (one rushing) and a passer rating of 103.2 against one of the NFL’s best pass rush units. All in all, another massive performance and win by Dak Prescott and the Cowboys.
### Winner: The Run Defense
What a difference Quinnen Williams has made for the Cowboys. One of the league’s worst run defenses has suddenly turned things around in a big way, and now, the defensive line is starting to dominate. Saquon Barkley finished the game with just 22 rushing yards, but he had just 11 total after the Eagles took a 21-0 lead.
The Cowboys did a great job on early downs of stopping the run and it set up several long 2nd and 3rd downs for the Eagles on offense, most of which they weren’t able to convert. And with several elite run offenses coming up on the schedule, this unit will need to continue to play at a high level if the Cowboys want to keep it up on defense.
### Winner: George Pickens
The Cowboys were desperately searching for a viable No. 2 receiver this offseason to pair with CeeDee Lamb and they had to wait until after the 2025 NFL Draft to finally acquire one. Except they didn’t find a No. 2 receiver. They found a No. 1 receiver who is playing the best football of his career.
Pickens caught all nine of his targets on Sunday and racked up 146 yards and a touchdown. [He was the best receiver on the field by a mile](https://thelandryhat.com/tom-brady-said-what-all-cowboys-fans-were-thinking-after-george-pickens-heroics) in a game that featured CeeDee Lamb, A.J. Brown, and DeVonta Smith. We can officially have the debate as to who is the best receiver in Dallas, but that is irrelevant because both players will likely be here for the next several years.
Pickens has become the most reliable and dynamic weapon in the Cowboys’ offense, and that is a wild statement considering he was acquired this offseason for just a third-round pick. Pickens is playing at an All-Pro level, and he has been the difference in several big games this season. The Cowboys have had mixed results with trades this year, but they’ve hit one out of the park with Pickens.
### Loser: CeeDee Lamb
Lamb is incredibly lucky that Dallas pulled out the win on Sunday; otherwise, his performance could have essentially ended the season. Lamb dropped the go-ahead touchdown late, and that was only one of several mistakes by the former All-Pro receiver.
While he finished with 75 yards, it was another game to forget for Lamb, who dropped three passes against the Eagles. Drops are fixable, but [it’s clear that Lamb is in his own head right now](https://thelandryhat.com/cowboys-dak-prescott-reveals-message-to-ceedee-lamb-after-horror-show-vs-eagles), and he is fighting the football. He’s not in sync with Prescott, and it’s causing the offense to be inefficient on key downs.
With games coming up against the Chiefs, Lions, Chargers, and Vikings, the Cowboys will need Lamb to snap out of his funk and get back to playing at a high level. But with his recent struggles, it is fair to wonder if the Cowboys should start giving more targets to Pickens until Lamb earns back the trust of his quarterback.
### Loser: KaVontae Turpin
Much like CeeDee Lamb, this is a game that Turpin would like to forget. While he did create a big explosive play late in the second half, Turpin was one of the reasons why the Cowboys fell into such a deficit. He fumbled the game on his one carry of the game after running into the back of Tyler Guyton’s leg. He also dropped a key pass on the second-to-last drive of the game and had a key penalty for an illegal fair catch signal.
Turpin has been a big weapon for the Cowboys in the past, but that hasn’t been the case this season. He’s dropped a lot of passes on offense, and more often than not, the juice hasn’t been worth the squeeze on that side of the ball. He’s also not breaking off as many big plays as a returner, and that is why Dallas brought him in to begin with. Here is to hoping that Turpin can bounce back on a short week against Kansas City on Thursday.