Three Cowboys turnovers have swung the game decidedly in the Eagle’s favor.
PHILADELPHIA — Cooper Rush versus Kenny Picket wasn’t exactly what the schedule-makers had in mind when they cooked up this week 17 matchup between these NFC East rivals from Dallas and Philadelphia. A trio of Cowboys turnovers have swung the game decidedly in Philadelphia’s favor with the Eagles leading 24-7 at the half.
With less than a minute left in the half on third down, Rush tried to throw long to Brandin Cooks, but it was badly overthrown making for an easy interception for Gardner-Johnson, his second of the half. The Eagles then used a 50-yard completion from Kenny Picket to Smith and a one-yard “tush push” touchdown run to open their 24-7 halftime lead.
Mike McCarthy’s offense got off to a good start when disaster struck. The Cowboys were driving in Eagles territory on their first possession, but on third down Cooper Rush threw an interception to C.J. Gardner-Johnson who raced 69 yards for the pick-6, staking the Eagles to the early 7-0 lead.
The Cowboys came right back with another solid drive covering 70 yards in 6:05, capping it off with a 4-yard touchdown pass from Cooper Rush to Jalen Tolbert tying the score at 7. The drive was extended on 3rd and 7 from the 9-yard line when Eagles defender Nolan Smith held Jake Ferguson when he was trying to get out into his route.
The Cowboy’s defense didn’t allow much early, but a great catch from Grant Calcaterra on a 3rd and 8 play sparked the Eagles midway through the second quarter. The play covered 34 yards and set up Philly at the Dallas 20-yard line. Three plays later Pickett found a wide-open DeVonta Smith who blew past Andrew Booth for a 22-yard touchdown grab, putting the Eagles back in front 14-7.
The Cowboys suffered their second turnover of the half when Jake Ferguson hauled in a pass but fumbled it. A large scrum ensued with Eagles defensive lineman Jordan Davis emerging from the pile with the football. The Eagles turned the giveaway into a 31-yard Jake Elliott field goal and a 17-7 lead.
Critical plays are the story in this one – the Cowboys offense has moved it well, but the turnovers have killed their momentum and allowed the Eagles to take control. And if they can hold on to this lead they will clinch the NFC East division title against their hated rivals.
