Eagles Soar Over Cowboys in NFC East Showdown
Jalen Hurts, after a potentially game-changing fumble in the first half against the Dallas Cowboys, brushed off the error, leading the Philadelphia Eagles to a resounding 34-6 victory on Sunday. Despite Dallas Cowboys’ offense lacking Dak Prescott, they were unable to capitalize on Hurts’ misstep, and the young quarterback didn’t make any further significant errors.
Hurts Makes History Amid Victory
Hurts showcased his prowess with two touchdown passes and two rushing scores, taking the Eagles to their fifth straight win and the top spot in the NFC East. His impressive performance saw him shake off two sacks from returning star pass rusher Micah Parsons, including one that led to a fumble placing Dallas on the Philadelphia 6-yard line.
The Eagles’ defense held strong, limiting the Cowboys to a mere field goal. Hurts then orchestrated an 84-yard drive in the game’s dying minutes, culminating in a 14-yard touchdown pass to Dallas Goedert. The Eagles (7-2) now stand at the helm of the NFC East while the Cowboys (3-6) suffer their fourth consecutive defeat.
Cowboys Struggle Without Prescott
Cooper Rush, Prescott’s replacement, failed to emulate his successful 4-1 stint from two years ago, managing only 13 of 23 for a mere 45 yards. The Cowboys offense stumbled without Prescott, with Rush losing two fumbles out of five turnovers for the team.
The Cowboys’ offensive woes were amplified by frequent boos from the crowd, leading to Rush being replaced by Trey Lance. Lance’s performance didn’t fare much better, culminating in an interception. The absence of Prescott, who is deciding on whether to undergo season-ending surgery following a hamstring injury, was keenly felt.
Coach Mike McCarthy, whose contract is expiring, faced mounting criticism as the Cowboys recorded their worst offensive performance at AT&T Stadium since its 2009 opening. However, owner Jerry Jones affirmed his support for McCarthy, stating there would be no mid-season coaching changes.
Record-Breaking Performance by Hurts
Despite a shaky start, Hurts found his rhythm, completing 14 of 20 for 202 yards with 56 yards rushing before being replaced by Kenny Pickett in the fourth quarter. Hurts finished with a passer rating of 115, becoming the first NFL quarterback to achieve a touchdown pass, a rushing TD, and a triple-digit passer rating in four consecutive games. He also set a record as the first quarterback to score at least 10 rushing touchdowns in four consecutive seasons.
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni praised Hurts’ ability to move past his errors, stating, “That’s what winners do. That’s what Jalen Hurts does, and I’m so accustomed to him doing that because when he makes a mistake, he’s able to put it in the past.”
Upcoming Matches
The victorious Eagles face Washington at home on Thursday night, while the Cowboys will aim to rebound against Houston at home next Monday night. This game has undoubtedly left a mark on the NFC East rankings, with the Eagles soaring high and the Cowboys left to regroup and refocus.