Eagles vs. Cowboys: 15 Triumphs, 9 Defeats, 6 Unknowns

led by Miles Sanders would’ve been more favorable there. The Eagles were in position to run the clock out and force the Cowboys to use all of their timeouts. I also question the decision to throw a backwards pass on that drive. It looked like Hurts was joined in the backfield by three of his skill position players. The NFL’s official rules state that if a player leaves the field of play and returns during the play, he’s an ineligible downfield receiver. I get the idea of making the defense think Dallas Goedert or DeVonta Smith is throwing a pass back to Hurts but it wasn’t executed well and the result was a wasted down amid crucial clock management. Lastly, the Eagles shouldn’t have thrown on 3rd-and-7 at the two-minute warning. I understand that Hurts had a clean pocket and the Cowboys had only rushed three but the obvious move is to do everything in your power to keep the clock moving. That third down call allowed the Cowboys to maintain a timeout. JOE OSTMAN Man, what a special teams tackle by Ostman on the opening kickoff. Special teams can often go unnoticed in the grand scheme of things but it’s one of those things that can end up being critically important in a close game like this. LOSERS JALEN REAGOR Reagor didn’t see a single offensive target in 17 plays before QB1 even threw his way. Julio Jones is the only other wide receiver with that low number in 2021. Without Reagor having to face Anthony Brown, Michael Gallup basically woke up humming “I Can’t Hear Ya” to himself. But he wasn’t able to stunt before the Eagles finally targeted him in the second quarter. Nice catch by GQ out of bounds but GQ’s split personality showed up when he stepped out of bounds on third down and then allowed himself to be easily jammed at the line before stumbling on his 50/50 target. He also had a chance to block on a first-half Miles Sanders run for maybe a big gain and blocked A-Aron. REAGOR DOES GOOD THINGS Sometimes the Cowboys end the play. Sometimes they don’t. But blocking downfield in the run game is currently one of the better parts of Reagor’s game. Someone in #FalconsTwitter assured me this summer that if Matt Ryan has to roll left and throw across his body, he is toast. That’s how I feel whenever I see a Reagor as a plan for anything other than a quick turn and nice, easy on-target throw. Quick slants to Reagor would work to get the ball in his hands. The 23rd overall pick takes the field with the lowest catch rate (48%) and yards per target (5.4) in the NFL this season. REAGOR DOESN’T DOES GOOD THINGS That’s more like it. He also assisted in the lack of glory night with an easy false start. A guy who’s supposed to be special teams X-factor tried to return a kick that was a yard deep when he should have simply taken the touchback. Can’t believe I’m listing a first round pick as a loser. HAASON REDDICK It’s no exaggeration to call this game homecoming for Reddick given that the Virginia native missed Dallas due to injury. So, to have a a sack-fumble to take away a chance from Philly to really ice this one … was a tough pill to swallow. And then the false start penalty between Haason Reddick and Boston Scott. IDKs.
Funny play by Johnson to block down on an inside zone run before selling the play-action to clear Jason Kelce’s seal.
Now, to end on a more serious note, Demetr…

WINNERS

The Philadelphia Eagles’ Playoff Outlook

The Philadelphia Eagles are now 8-1 after a tense win over the Dallas Cowboys, and this victory has significantly improved their chances of making it to the playoffs. Had they lost, the Cowboys would have overtaken them in their division, making the win even more significant. The Eagles’ cushion is incredibly valuable at this stage in the season, and their record bodes well for their chances of making it to the final game.

Brandon Lee Graham

Brandon Lee Graham’s performance in this game was outstanding, with 1.5 sacks on back-to-back plays during the Cowboys’ penultimate drive. His contributions were crucial in forcing Dallas into challenging situations, ultimately leading to a turnover on downs. Graham’s impressive hustle also affected the outcome of the game, solidifying his role as a key player for the Eagles.

Josh Sweat

Josh Sweat’s pivotal role as The Closer in this game cannot be overlooked. His game-changing sack on Prescott at a crucial moment highlighted his exceptional performance throughout the game, showing his value to the team and the impact he has made this season.

Jalen Hurts

Jalen Hurts’ resilience and determination to continue playing, despite sustaining an injury, was truly commendable. His ability to read the game and deliver a perfect touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith showcased his talent and perseverance, solidifying his position as a key player for the Eagles.

DeVonta Smith

DeVonta Smith’s exceptional performance, including a crucial touchdown catch and a key grab to move the ball into Dallas territory, further solidified his status as a valuable asset to the Eagles. His recent performances have been outstanding, and his contribution to the team cannot be overstated.

LOSERS

Jalen Reagor

Jalen Reagor’s lack of offensive targets and his inconsistent performance in this game highlight areas where he needs to improve. Despite his potential, he needs to step up and make a more significant impact on the team’s performance.

Haason Reddick

Haason Reddick’s missed opportunities and crucial error in the game raised concerns about his performance and effectiveness in key moments. His performance in this game did not meet the expectations, and he needs to improve to make a more significant impact on the team’s performance.

IDKS

Funny play by Johnson to block down on an inside zone run before selling the play-action to clear Jason Kelce’s seal. Now, to end on a more serious note, Demetr…

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