After four-quarters of primetime Sunday Night Football between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles, the Eagles defeated the Cowboys 26-17. With the loss, the Cowboys fall to (4-2, 2-1 in the NFC East), and the Eagles improve to (6-0, 3-0)
In the first half, the Cowboys were out of sync and looked like a completely different team, as they trailed 20-3 heading into halftime. From failing to put together offense drives to QB Cooper Rush throwing interceptions to set up the Eagles with great field position, and the defense committing careless penalties– it felt like the second half was going to be worse.
However, out of the gate, the Cowboys' offense looked like a new personnel group as they finally found the endzone after a 14-yard touchdown run from Ezekiel Elliott capped a nine-play, 79-yard drive on their first drive in the second half.
RB Ezekiel Elliott takes it in for the first #Cowboys TD of the game ✭ pic.twitter.com/ieWeosq5hV
— The Cowboys Network (@TheCowboysNet) October 17, 2022
They would follow up their big score with a defensive stop and put together a 93-yard touchdown drive, as Rush found TE Jake Ferguson for a seven-yard touchdown. With momentum on their side and the Eagles now leading 20-17, the team not only showed the life for a comeback– but also gave hope to their fans.
But, when the defense got called on, they failed to stop the Eagles' running attack as they ran the ball down the Cowboys' throat and capped it off with a seven-yard touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith.
It gave the Eagles a nine-point lead after a failed two-point conversation.
With plenty of time left in the game, there was still hope in Cowboy Nation that a comeback was possible. But Rush threw his third interception late– and it killed any hope for the team becoming the Comeback Kids.
While the offense did get the ball back one more time with under two minutes left, they failed to get in the endzone, and K Brett Maher missed an FG wide-right.
There can be many fingers to point on who's responsible for their loss, but their inconsistencies on both sides showed under the lights. The team has a lot to clean up.
With QB Dak Prescott returning soon, you could argue that's one problem the Cowboys' can shore up, but if they want to make a deep run, this loss should serve as a lesson for them.
The offense had its moments, and the run game was working. Defensive-wise, the group had a bad game, no doubt. But they weren't given the best hand. From playing more snaps and having to stop the high-powered Eagles' offense from unfavorable field positioning– the loss wasn't entirely on them.
The Cowboys return to action at noon next Sunday against the Detroit Lions (1-4).
