Dallas were down and out at 21-0 down against the reigning Super Bowl champions, so how on earth did they produce their joint-best comeback ever?
The emotions of a first home game since Marshawn Kneeland’s tragic death may have played a part, but technically it was a mixture of Dak Prescott’s determination and a defence that pounced on rare errors by the Eagles.
Prescott eclipsed Tony Romo’s records for passing yards (now 34,378) and game-winning drives (25) with an all-action display – his diving touchdown personifying his all-action display.
Philly squandered a lead of 21 points or more for the first time since 1999, with just their second game with multiple turnovers this season – the other being another bad NFC East loss at the Giants.
Along with 14 penalties for 96 yards, the offensive malaise that hit Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive start was huge. He’d only passed for 200-plus yards in four games before Sunday, he had more than 150 in the first half alone in Dallas.
Yet from the time Philadelphia went 21-0 up their offence derailed spectacularly – with four straight punts, a missed field goal and then a fumble handing chance after chance to the Cowboys.
The Eagles defence is brilliant, it really is, but an offence that’s not eclipsed 21 points in five of seven games (three losses) is now a huge worry, as the pieces are all there but it’s just not clicking.
Nick Sirianni’s game is all about winning the big moments, the defence keeps them in it and what offence there is does just about enough – if it can’t even do that and now the discipline and ball protection is breaking down, there could be trouble ahead.
