The Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles are fighting for their playoff lives in today’s Week 16 matchup. It’s been a close one thus far but Dallas is leading 20-17 at halftime, thanks largely to the play of QB Andy Dalton and WR Michael Gallup.
Gallup has put together a big day in just two quarters; six catches for 121 yards and two touchdowns. Dalton has thrown for 224 yards total and been highly efficient with 16/20 passing so far.
Jalen Hurts has been just as effective in his first start against the Cowboys. He’s got 178 passing yards. including an 81-yard bomb to DeSean Jackson for a score, to go along with 53 rushing yards.
The NFL’s worst run defense hasn’t disappointed as Dallas has already surrendered over 100 yards to the Eagles in just one half. However, they’ve managed to keep Philly out of the endzone enough to keep the game in hand.
Ezekiel Elliott returned today and has eight carries for 27 yards. He should have had a touchdown on a goal-line carry after barely breaking the plane but Mike McCarthy didn’t challenge. That led to a failed 3rd-down pass play and one of Greg Zuerlein’s two field goals.
With Washington trailing 20-3 in their own game against the Carolina Panthers today, both Dallas and Philly are looking at increasing odds of winning the NFC East. But before we can talk about Week 17 scenarios, they have to get the job done in this second half.
