The Dallas Cowboys did exactly what people have been waiting for them to do.
Play a team with a winning record the same way there have been below-average teams.
The Cowboys dominated the Eagles from the opening kickoff. They improved to 10-3 after beating Philly 33-13.
I have a few takeaways from the big victory last night.
Stephon Gilmore
After giving up 30 points to Seattle last week, the Cowboy’s defense responded in a big way Sunday night.
They did not allow a touchdown to the Eagle’s offense and forced three turnovers.
He shut down A.J. Brown from the jump. On the first drive of the second half, Gilmore forced a fumble.
Gilmore said Brown called him “old” at the beginning of the game; well, Gilly Lock showed him how good the “old” former Defensive Player of the Year still is.
A significant response from the defense did not look good a week ago.
Gilmore and Brandon Aubrey were the players of the game for good reason.
Aubrey has been phenomenal. I will touch on him later this week, but words can’t express how great he has been.
Dak Prescott continues to shine
Dak Prescott is now the sole leader for the MVP of the National Football League.
Prescott threw for 217 yards on 24-of-39 passing with two touchdowns and no interceptions. He ran three times for 11 yards.
And yet, Prescott did not feel like his performance was up to his standard.
“Solid enough to get the win,” the quarterback said. “I’ve told you before, I’m my biggest critic. Obviously, not my best game. … Did enough to win, but I always want to do better.”
Over the last eight games, nobody has played quarterback better than Prescott.
He has 2,444 yards, 25 total touchdowns, and only two interceptions, with a passer rating of 118.5.
This was maybe one of the biggest regular-season games of his career, and he continued to ball out and do more than enough to win the game.
The next two games are on the road at Buffalo and Miami, and if he can at least win one of those games and play well in both, he should have a real chance of winning the award.
As I have said, though, I want a Championship more than anything, and so does he.
Michael Gallup & Jake Ferguson
Let’s start by saying Jake Ferguson is becoming another stud at tight end for this team.
He, just like Dalton Schultz was the last few years, is becoming a guy that Prescott can trust to make a play when needed.
He had five catches for 72 yards yesterday; he brings so much energy to this offense that it is hard not to love him.
I have been hard on Michael Gallup this season, but even though he only had three catches yesterday, in the overall aspect of the night, it might have been his best of the year.
I know against Arizona, he had almost 100 yards, but he caught a touchdown yesterday and made a huge catch late on a dime from Prescott to end any chance Philly had to get the ball back.
It was an excellent night for the Cowboys; Johnathan Hankins was the only big problem that came from this game.
Reports indicate that Hankins suffered a high-ankle sprain, but it’s believed to be mild.
He is expected to get an MRI to evaluate the injury further.
Hankins should be back for the playoffs.