(Devonta Smith fumbles away any chance the Eagles had in the 4th quarter photo)
The Eagles traveled to Dallas in hopes of a first win at AT&T Stadium in over five years. Instead, the Eagles were absolutely blasted with a final score of 33-13: a second straight loss and another humiliating one. The Eagles have lost control of their destiny of being the number-one seed in the NFC. While they still control their path to a division title, it would still mean they would likely have to go to Levi’s Stadium for the NFC Championship game if both the Niners and Eagles even make it there.
The first half was almost a carbon copy of what happened when the 49ers annihilated the Eagles the previous week. With the Cowboys lighting up once again, terrible Eagles defense. However, the offense was not helping themselves either. A Hurts fumble, multiple huge drops by AJ Brown, and costly penalties saw the Eagles keep themselves out of the end zone. The Eagles went into the breakdown 24-6, with Dallas marching right down the field three times for 6, multiple double-digit play drives, and the Eagles being unable to once again finish off their drives. It’s been an uncharacteristic last two weeks from this Eagles team, with what was a very efficient red zone offense, becoming very inconsistent. Dallas will also have to thank their kicker Brandon Aubrey, who nailed multiple 50-plus-yard field goals throughout the night.
(Jalen Hurts first quarter fumble photo)
The Eagles would continue to shoot themselves in the foot in the second half. AJ Brown, who had already dropped 2 dimes from Hurts earlier on, fumbled and gave the Cowboys the ball. Not exactly the type of play you expect from a star receiver who makes himself clear when he’s disgruntled and wants the ball. After the teams exchanged punts, the Eagles’ defense actually helped themselves out, with Fletcher Cox forcing a fumble which Jalen Carter scooped and scored. The Cowboys would respond with a field goal which left the score at 13-27. Leaving the door open for the MVP frontrunner to drag his team to a comeback win. Sadly for Hurts, his receivers would decide to continue disappearing. Devonta Smith even dropped what was a surefire touchdown which would have made it a one-score game. Instead, the Eagles would have to settle for nothing.
They went for it on 4th down, and ended up getting stopped, with Brian Johnson adding to his horrible list of play calls dialing up a pass way short of the sticks on 4th down and 9. The Cowboys would add a field goal to make it a three-score game. With the game almost out of reach, Devonta Smith would once again make sure of it by fumbling away the ball at the Dallas 13 which was recovered by the Cowboys. Putting the game at that point well out of reach. Aubrey would add another field goal to confirm a 20-point statement win for the Dallas Cowboys.
(Devonta Smith sitting on the sidelines during the Eagles disastrous loss photo)
The Eagles gauntlet is over, with them coming out 4-2. With victories over the Dolphins, the Cowboys, the Chiefs, and the Bills. With them losing to the 49ers and losing the rematch against the Cowboys. The Eagles have not won in Dallas in six years. The Eagles simply have to win out with their remaining schedule (the easiest in the NFL). Eagles defensive lineman Fletcher Cox had this to say, “We’re going to keep this locker room tight. We’re going to keep this team tight. We’ve won 10 games and you have to be excited about having another chance to another game next week.” (Eagles.com).
While Cox is saying all the right things, you have to wonder where the leaders are on this defense. How can you allow this performance in the biggest game of the season against your rival? The same goes for Hurts and the offense. The unit has to play better. What sort of example is AJ Brown setting when he’s complaining every other week on the sideline, and when he gets thirteen targets he drops the two crucial balls and turns it over? Not to mention he called Stephon Gilmore “old” at the start of the game before he would proceed to help the Cowboys out as much as Gilmore was. We all knew before the season Shane Steichen would be a miss as offensive coordinator, but Brian Johnson hasn’t been good at all for this offense. An anonymous offensive player even called the offense “stagnant”. It was probably AJ Brown. Sean Desai has also been a major letdown at Defensive Coordinator the last few weeks. You have to wonder, where is the defense that showed up at Arrowhead Stadium off the bye?
Luckily for the Eagles, it only gets easier from here. As of today, all of their opponents are under .500. With a trip to Seattle before they come home for a Christmas day game vs the Giants. Then Jonathan Gannon returns to Philadelphia with the Cardinals, before the Eagles end their regular season on the vaunted turf of Metlife Stadium against the Giants. Win all four, and they’ll be the NFC East division champs. The Eagles will be rooting for the Cardinals, Ravens, Commanders, or Rams to upset the 49ers who hold the tiebreaker after annihilating the Eagles.