Photo by Andre Odums/ossports
With one week remaining and opportunities up for grabs, the Cowboys stayed in contention for a playoff spot after Carolina defeated Washington, 20-13 on Sunday.
Led by its defense, Dallas leaped towards its goal by knocking off the Philadelphia Eagles, 37-20 on Sunday evening at AT&T Stadium.
A season of trials might have a light at the end of the tunnel. While the victory kept the Cowboys (6-9) alive, it eliminated the Eagles. With a victory in New York against the Giants next week, Dallas can claim the NFC East with a Washington loss.
Led by upfront pressure from linebacker Jaylon Smith and defensive end Randy Gregory, the Cowboys forced four second-half turnovers to halt the Eagles’ game plan.
When Gregory and Smith located the ball, it meant bad news for Philadelphia. The two combined for several stops behind and along the line of scrimmage.
Dallas offense found its niche following a timeout. Andy Dalton, who finished 22/30 with 377 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception, completed back-to-back passes to Michael Gallup to give the Cowboys a 20-17 lead with 12 seconds left in the second quarter, which would hold for the victory.
Amari Cooper and Gallup combined for 242 yards on ten receptions. Ezekiel Elliott kept the Cowboys ground game in tack by rushing 19 times for 105 yards.
The Cowboys added to its lead, opening the third quarter by driving 75 yards in five plays. CeeDee Lamb beat his man off the scrimmage line, down the right side where Dalton threw to finish the 52-yard touchdown. Dallas led, 27-17.
After forcing a three and out, Dallas took over at its 21, and Cooper turned Dalton’s quick pass into a 69 yard gain to the Eagles 9-yard line. Still, the possession failed to come away with seven points when Cooper dropped a pass in the end zone, and the Cowboys were penalized for illegal formation, which led to a 21-yard field goal from Grey Zuerlein, bumping its lead, 30-17 with 8:31 to go in the third quarter.
From that point, Dallas’ defense took over, forcing four second-half turnovers.
The Eagles (4-10-1) following drive stalled after Jalen Hurts completed a 43-yard pass to receiver Quez Watkins at the Cowboys 32. Defensive end Gregory sacked Hurts on the next play, causing a fumble recovered by Eagles tackle Jordan Mailata, which resulted in a 13-yard loss to the 45. Hurts managed three yards on the next play and the Eagles punted on fourth and 20.
Hurts completed his day 21/39 with 342 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. He added 69 ground yards on nine carries.
Later, cornerback Darius Slay intercepted Dalton and returned the ball 23 yards to the Cowboys 28. Yet, the Eagles dug a hole for itself after three infractions resulting in a loss of 20-yards.
While the era prone Eagles continued its downfall in the fourth quarter, Dallas cushioned its lead when Elliott ripped off his best carry of the day, 31 yards to the Dallas 44. Eventually, Lamb scored on a 19-yard in and around carry to the end zone with 1:53 remaining.
Hurts, who made his third start today, got the Eagles off to an impressive start in the first half. He executed back-to-back drives of 75 and 81 yards. Miles Sanders’ four-yard carry gave the Eagles a 7-0 lead, following Jake Elliott’s bonus kick. Hurts shocked the Cowboys on Philadelphia’s second possession with an 81-yard strike to DeSean Jackson, increasing the Eagles lead, 14-3 with 5:43 left in the first quarter.
But the Cowboys capitalized on a ten-play 63-yard drive to draw within four points, 14-10 when Dalton threw over the middle to Gallup at ten, where he broke free from a defender and scored.
Following, Dallas stopped the Eagles on its next series, and Zuerlein kicked a 20-yard field goal, making the score 14-13 in favor of the Eagles.
On its next frame, Philadelphia, facing third and nine, took a timeout with 4:58 to play in the second quarter. Then, Hurts hooked up with Watkins at the 43-yard line for 17 yards and a first down. Later, Elliott drilled a 38-yard field goal as the Eagle regained its four-point lead, 17-13 with 2:09 left in the first half.
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