Cowboys vs. Eagles: Cry Eagles Cry
The Cowboys went into the return fixture, favourites. And, apparently, for good reason. Dallas dominated the Eagles for 60 minutes, in all three facets of the game. Dak Prescott drove the Cowboys 75 yards, 10 plays in 5 minutes to start the game and the defence caused Jalen Hurts to fumble with the Eagles first possession and the writing was on the wall.
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Since the Cowboys lost to the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field, they have won 5 straight games, starting their tough six week stretch with two wins, against the Seahawks and Philadelphia. I asked for more poise in clutch situations from the Cowboys after their last defeat and although this game was a blowout, there were definitely some important moments in which this team needed to step up. Every possession is important in a game like this but after having the game go so smoothly for so long, Prescott’s fumble leading to a defensive touchdown from Philadelphia (their only touchdown of the game), Dak would then have the ball back in his hands a minute later. Manufacturing a drive of over five minutes to take the sting back out of the game, with extreme poise on a 3rd & 6 dart to Jake Ferguson which was one of, if not the most important play of the game, in my opinion. This only led to a field goal but it made it a two touchdown game which never looked in danger with the way in which this defence played.
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Gilmore was the standout performer on the other side of the ball, blanketing AJ Brown all game. It wasn’t a shutdown performance by any means, but he caused Brown to fumble and on every crucial down, Gilmore won. This is a great asset for this defence to find, coming into the playoffs, having a veteran, former DPOY, still being able to travel with elite receivers. Bland only got targeted twice for 8 yards so wasn’t able to find another interception, but with Josh Allen awaiting in Buffalo next week, don’t be surprised if number 26 gets himself another takeaway.
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Five weeks is a long time in the NFL and this team has now proven to me, that they can very much compete in the playoffs. A win in which that has not only shown fans that they can compete, but one that is bound to have instilled complete belief amongst the team that they can really make a run at this.
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The 49ers are still the standard in the NFC, if not the NFL, and these Cowboys know all too well, the challenge that awaits them, should they meet again. Baltimore is the best team in the AFC and with very similar styles of play, especially in the run game and on defence, to the 49ers, the Cowboys may have to go through two ‘bully-ball’ teams to get their hands on the Lombardi trophy.
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Sundays game at Buffalo, could be one in which tests this team the most down the stretch, before the play-offs, with guaranteed cold conditions, both their run game and their run defence will be heavily tested. The running game looks to be a slow burner in improvement but week by week, they are finding ways to be effective with it and this weeks showing impressed me the most. Pollard and Dowdle, almost split carries and managed to run the ball up A & B gaps, effectively, against what is one of the best interior fronts in football. The run defence took a serious blow in losing Johnathan Hankins, late in the Eagles game. A massive opportunity for first round pick, Mazi Smith.
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For now, the Cowboys atop the NFC East and with their record at AT&T Stadium, home field advantage could be very important.