The Dallas Cowboys beat the Philadelphia Eagles thanks to a great defensive performance on Monday Night Football. The Cowboys were all over the Eagles offense from the opening kick in this one. Philadelphia struggled to move the ball until they gathered some momentum in the second half. However, Dallas would regain control of the game and route the Eagles 41-21.
Dallas Cowboys Topple Philadelphia Eagles Thanks to Defense
The Cowboys Dominated from the Opening Kickoff
Dallas swarmed Jalen Hurts and the entire Philadelphia Eagles offense all night allowing only 14 offensive points. Dallas started off the game hot as Dak Prescott marched the Cowboys down the field, capping their opening drive with an Ezekiel Elliott touchdown. The Dallas run game was only just beginning to attack the heart of the Eagles defense and Fletcher Cox.
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The Eagles Defense Stiffens
The Dallas defense followed up with a red-zone interception on Hurts. Before the interception, Hurts and the Eagles were moving the ball in chunks against the presumed porous Dallas defense. The Cowboys exemplified a bend-don’t-break mentality turning over the Eagles in the red zone and denying them a score. Unfortunately, Cox would cause a fumble and recover the ball in the end zone on the Cowboys following possession.
Elliott and Tony Pollard carried the offense down the field on the following possession. The offensive line began to lean on this Eagles defensive line resulting in chunk running plays from both Pollard and Elliott. The drive ultimately stalled out on a 4th and goal where Prescott failed to cross the end zone on a very controversial call. The referees would later review this play but ultimately let the call on the field stand saying Prescott’s forward progress stopped before he reached the ball past the goal line.
The second Eagles defensive stand was crucial in keeping the Eagles in the game for the time being. Despite being gashed for chunk run plays, the Eagles defense kept the score to 7 points in the first quarter.
Dallas Defense Opens It Up
Elliott scores his second touchdown of the game in the second quarter, a pleasant sight for Dallas fans. Prancing into the end zone against one of the NFL’s top run defenses is a good sign for Elliott and the run game. Dallas would cash in on the Eagles opening drive with a Trevon Diggs Pick-Six. Devonta Smith ran a short out-route and lost his footing opening the door for an interception and 59-yard return for a touchdown by the opportunistic Diggs, who is now the only player in the NFL with an interception in all three games this season.
.@TrevonDiggs is something special.
After his interception returned for a TD, he became the first #DallasCowboy with an interception in each of the first three games of a season since Everson Walls in 1985. #PHIvsDAL | #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/s0ilKkYsUJ
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) September 28, 2021
Eagles Offense First Score
After throwing two interceptions, Hurts puts together an impressive drive. On a 3rd and 8 from their own 17, Hurts avoids the sack and heaves a pass deep to Quez Watkins for 41 yards. Hurts stood in the pocket and took a big hit to get this ball out and complete the much-needed pass. After the long pass play, Hurts completes big plays to Zach Ertz ultimately ending in an Ertz touchdown pass from three yards out.
This drive was crucial for the Eagles as they had yet to score points offensively. Philadelphia had regained some momentum and made the game a bit more interesting with their first offensive touchdown leaving the score 27-14 in favor of Dallas.
The Dallas Cowboys Beat The Philadelphia Eagles in a Route
The Cowboys answered the Eagles score with 14 unanswered points of their own. Prescott converted to Cedrick Wilson on a 4th down from the two-yard line to put the Cowboys up 34-14. The Eagles following possession ended with a turnover on downs as Hurts was sacked by Micah Parsons. The Dallas defense was consistently pressuring Hurts and hit pay dirt and giving the offense the ball back at mid-field.
In his third career NFL game, Micah Parsons led the Cowboys in QB pressures (5), pass rush get-off (0.87 seconds) and hustle stops (3).
Only two defenders have finished with more hustle stops in a game this season (Budda Baker & Jessie Bates, 4).#DALvsPHI | #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/x6R1cxwME5
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) September 28, 2021
The Cowboys scored quickly facing a short field with the next possession. On 3rd down, Prescott hit Schultz for a 22-yard touchdown to take the wind out of Philadelphia’s sails pushing the score to 41-14. The rest of the game ended with an Eagles score with Hurts finding Greg Ward Jr. for a touchdown in garbage time.
Dallas rolled Philadelphia on Monday Night Football largely thanks to the Dallas defense. Dan Quinn earned his new position as defensive coordinator against this hot Eagles offense. Hurts came into this game routing the Atlanta Falcons and taking the San Francisco 49ers to the wire.
Dallas was missing a slew of starters on defense including Keanu Neal and Demarcus Lawrence, but still forced two interceptions and a turnover on downs. The Cowboys also registered two sacks, three tackles for loss, five quarterback hits, and a defensive touchdown. Thanks to a great defensive performance, Dallas is in the driver’s seat to control the NFC East.
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