The Dallas Cowboys are now 10-3 and are tied at the top of the NFC East, beating the Philadelphia Eagles 33-13.
The narrative has been that the Cowboys can’t beat winning teams, but Sunday’s game made a different statement in prime time.
Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles Highlights
In Brandon Aubrey We Trust
This was a well-played game in all three phases — Brandon Aubrey continues to make history, and to say it’s been impressive is an understatement.
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In the game, Aubrey became the first kicker in NFL history to make two field goals of 59 yards or longer in the same game.
On Sunday night, he nailed a 59-yard field goal, a 60-yard field goal, a 45-yard field goal, and a 50-yard field goal.
He has now made 30 of 30 field goal attempts this season, the first player to ever do so in NFL history.
Although this was a game in which the Cowboys would ideally like to score touchdowns, with the faith Mike McCarthy has in the young kicker, it’s a great spot to be in.
The Cowboys wanted a permanent solution to their years’ worth of kicking problems, and it looks like they found that in Aubrey.
Brandon Aubrey hits a 60-YARD FG 🤯
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/Rphu97v542
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 11, 2023
The Cowboys’ Run Game Has Found a Heartbeat
The Cowboys’ run game has been one of the offense’s question marks because it hasn’t been consistent enough.
During the game, the team had 138 rushing yards on 32 attempts.
To put this in perspective, the last time these two teams met in Week 9, they had 73 rushing yards on 21 attempts. But this time, the offense surpassed that before the first half of the game had concluded.
It also displayed another aspect that has been lacking in the run game, which is a ball distribution that keeps the run a consistent threat.
Tony Pollard had 59 yards on 16 attempts, while Rico Dowdle had 46 yards on 12 attempts.
After a review, Rico Dowdle was given a TD on this run and the Cowboys extend their lead
📺: #PHIvsDAL on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/YCEDNi5Ozb pic.twitter.com/R40npXAdyy— NFL (@NFL) December 11, 2023
Although the two have completely different running styles, it is working.
The Cowboys utilized the run in the red zone, creating a new threat for opposing defenses going forward.
McCarthy earned his flowers not only for calling the plays from the sidelines four days post-op but for calling consistent run plays throughout the game.
Turnovers Were the Difference-Makers
The last time these two teams played in Week 9, there were no defensive turnovers from the Cowboys.
But that was far from the case this week, as the defense forced three fumbles, all recovered by the Cowboys.
Stephon Gilmore, Donovan Wilson, and Markquese Bell all had forced fumbles that were game-changers and one of the critical aspects of keeping the Eagles to only 13 points.
3rd forced fumble of the game from the @DallasCowboys' defense
📺: #PHIvsDAL on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/YCEDNi5Ozb pic.twitter.com/ULvFdptQJP— NFL (@NFL) December 11, 2023
For perspective, that is the lowest amount of points the Eagles have scored in a game so far this season.
The Cowboys put the pressure on Jalen Hurts throughout the night, keeping him to 197 passing yards on 18 completions, making his completion percentage 66.7% for the night.
The Cowboys can beat good teams in all three phases of the game and worked their way back to the top of the NFC East.
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