At least until the Dallas Cowboys reach Highmark Stadium in Buffalo, NY, this Sunday, the theme is keeping your receipts.
Dallas fans and players recalled everything the Philadelphia Eagles discussed since the first matchup.
Who has the better-skilled positions, quarterback or defensive line? Everyone outside of the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex pointed to Philly.
Their D-line was tagged as one of the most dangerous groups in all football.
The edge rush includes Brandon Graham, Josh Sweat, and Haason Reddick (technically a linebacker like Micah Parsons).
According to major media, the interior is even better with Fletcher Cox, Milton Williams, Jordan Davis, and potential Defensive Rookie of the Year Jalen Carter.
What will the Dallas Cowboys offensive line do to contend with that group?
Terence Steele was put through a clinic in Philadelphia, and part two on turf didn't create a sense of calm.
Unfortunately for those who support the birds, Dallas's line was up to the test. They bent but never broke, which is all we could ask.
The left side of the offensive line is the best in football
The offensive line did enough to give Quarterback Dak Prescott time to make the throws that created the separation needed to win this game.
Let's take a moment to give credit where credit is due.
Starting with Mr. Tyron Smith. I'm knocking on wood right now.
They need to keep doing whatever Dallas is doing to manage his workload throughout the week.
Right now he is rated as the number one left tackle in the game right now.
So far this year, Tyron has given up 0 sacks, including playing Josh Sweat twice this year.
There were four hurries on his side, but with Dak getting the ball off so quickly and moving around better in the pocket, it is, in essence, helping his big men up front.
Love seeing Tyron Smith put the ever-underrated Josh Sweat in a vice on the edge. #NoPracticeTyron #Cowboys https://t.co/XlyexGmty4
— John Owning (@JohnOwning) December 11, 2023
I can unequivocally say I was wrong for advocating for a position change for Tyler now that Tyron has remained healthy.
Having Tyler in the interior has cured problems that Dallas has tried to fix for the past few years.
Does he get a bit grabby? Sure, he does, but his power perfectly matches Cox and those two Georgia boys.
The 10th pick in the 2023 draft that everyone raved about performed a magic trick.
Carter pulled goose eggs out of his hat. Or, he disappeared in the middle of the game.
No sacks, pressures, or tackles the entire game. Don't believe me; please fact-check it.
Tyler Smith has played 51 total snaps vs. Jalen Carter, and he's only allowed 1 pressure in pass protection to go along with 0 losses as a run blocker, per PFF's charting. #Cowboys
— John Owning (@JohnOwning) December 12, 2023
The vision may still be for Tyler Smith to move outside once Tyron hangs it up.
But for now, as a fan, I'm going to enjoy watching him beat up and overpower defensive tackles, especially those in green and white.
He brings a quiet nastiness to the position, and as he continues to develop on the job, he will only improve.
Terence Steele was the epitome of bend but don't break
I wrote a story that included Terence Steele as one of those guys who needed to step up for Dallas to overcome Philly.
He got some of the questions wrong on the test but still walked away with a passing grade.
The Eagles consistently place Reddick on Steele's side. It comes with the territory.
For Parsons, Dan Quinn finds the weak link in opposing offensive lines and places the All-Pro in that area throughout the game.
#Cowboys RT Terence Steele had a bounce back game Sunday night against the Eagles compared to their earlier matchup in Week 9:
Week 9:
• 12 pressures
• 4 sacks
• 31.7 grade on offense
• 84.9 pass blocking efficiencyWeek 14:
• 4 pressures
• 1 sack
• 63.1 grade on… pic.twitter.com/HKR01wyVTb— Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) December 12, 2023
Four pressures, one sack, and one penalty is an upgrade from the prior game.
He took that beatdown personally, and that's what fans were hoping for.
His explosion off the ball could have been better, but better.
Not to mention, his run blocking looked much crisper than any game this year. I'm not saying he was a world-beater, but he did enough.
We can only hope this is a sign of things to come.
Will this offensive line be enough to stop San Francisco's defensive front?
I know many of you are thinking that this is an asinine question. And you're also probably thinking that I haven't mentioned Zack Martin.
I would like to argue just the opposite.
The penalties and the flags that were picked up could be a cause for alarm.
Total: 17 accepted penalties, 155 yards, 17 flags#Philadelphia: 10 pen, 95 yards, 10 flags#Dallas: 7 pen, 60 yards, 7 flags
Referee: John Hussey
View Game Stats: https://t.co/tnbZlw9WbR#NFL #PHIvsDAL #FlyEaglesFly #DallasCowboys #snf
— NFL Penalty Data (@NFLPenaltiesCom) December 11, 2023
The zebras threw four flags against the offensive line, namely the two Tylers and Terence, and zilch on the elders (Zack and Tyron).
I told you I was going to mention Mr. Martin.
Even with the flags that Dallas drew, others were picked up.
They'll have to clean that up. Those 45 yards may be needed in the postseason.
Offensive Line Coach Mike Solari made adjustments. The linemen were double-teaming and moving defenders off the ball.
Throw in the chip blocks, and with a clean game, this line has the makings of a group that can soon lead to an upset in Levi Stadium.
