The Dallas Cowboys look set to make a late push for the playoffs after overcoming a 21-point deficit to defeat their division rivals the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Cowboys look set to be on the receiving end of a blowout after the Eagles scored touchdowns in each of their first three drives. Philadelphia’s offensive concerns seemed to be at an end as Jalen Hurts linked up with his histrionic receiver AJ Brown for the opening score. They then took advantage of a fortuitous ‘roughing the kicker penalty’ and a Dallas fumble, turning them into two rushing touchdowns for Hurts.
Dallas seemed to be moving the ball well, but mistakes and miscommunications saw them come up empty and in a big deficit. However, it quickly changed.
Hurts to Watch
**Dak Prescott**was able to engineer a touchdown drive to end the first half that included a 48-yard chunk play to Kavontae Turpin. Following the interval, their much-maligned defence was able to lock down the Eagles much much-maligned offence.
Earlier in the season, the Eagles' offence struggled to put together two competent halves of offensive football. This was a return to this, as the closest they got to scoring was a missed 56-yard field goal from Jake Elliot. Their passing success from the first half disappeared, and Hurts was caught holding the ball for too long, resulting in drive-ending sacks.
Saquon Barkley once again struggled to have much of an impact, going for only 22 yards on the ground. Newcomer Quinnen Williams is already looking like a bargain for the Cowboys as he dominated his match-up in the trenches alongside Kenny Clark.
The finger will once again be pointed at Kevin Patullo for the Eagles' offensive struggles, but this was the same offence that started the game with three touchdown drives. At the end of the day, they have way too much talent for the scheme to fully shut them down.
The Cowboys' offence was perhaps the most successful of any this season at moving the ball against Vic Fangio’s defence. Even when they were struggling in the game early, they were still proving capable of moving the ball well. Dak Prescott was consistently finding the right match-up and delivering accurately at all levels of the field.
A major reason for this success is their mercurial wide receiver, George Pickens. Pickens has helped transform the Cowboys' offence this season, and he showed out in a big way. He went for 146 yards on 9 receptions, with one going for a touchdown.
This included a catch of 43 yards where he mossed Cooper DeJean, making him wish the cornerback had stayed in the slot. His presence helped set up the game-winning field goal, taking a slant for 24 yards deep in Eagles territory.
His big-play ability and field-stretching talent have made the Cowboys' attack one of the best in the league, making one ponder who is truly the WR1. In comparison, Ceedee Lamb had a quieter outing, including dropping what would’ve been a go-ahead touchdown despite it being in his arms. So far this season, he has not lived up to his billing as one of the league’s premier receivers, being outshone by the newcomer.
Fueled By Something Greater
Before Brandon Aubrey’s winning kick, the camera cut to a Cowboys player on the sideline waving a flag in dedication to Marshawn Kneeland. His passing midseason was sure to have a profound effect in the locker room, especially with veterans such as Dak Prescott and Solomon Thomas personally affected by suicide in the past.
In sports, strange things can happen, and for the rest of the season, the Cowboys will be dedicating every game towards their former teammate. They have been 2-0 since his passing, and miracle runs have been fueled by less.