Philadelphia Eagles (13-3) – Dallas Cowboys (7-9): 41-7
After a defeat with twists and turns on the Commanders' lawn, the Philadelphia Eagles left the champagne cold. They therefore had to bounce back this Sunday in order to secure their division title. And they didn't tremble. Leading the match from the first drive, they crushed the Cowboys without ever letting them take control. The opportunity to review the quarterbacks and help Saquon Barkley get closer to his record.
Without Jalen Hurts, the Eagles discover Tanner McKee
In difficulty when their starting quarterback went out with a concussion last Sunday, the Eagles had placed their fate in the hands of Kenny Pickett. Author of a half-baked performance (10/15, 143 yards, 1 touchdown, 3 races, 3 yards, 1 touchdown), the former first-round pick did most of the work before being injured in the third quarter. A blessing in disguise for Philadelphia which was then able to discover Tanner McKee. For his first appearance in an official match, the second-year quarterback seemed at ease. In 3 completed passes (3/4, 54 yards, 2 touchdowns), he found the goal twice. First on AJ Brown (3 receptions, 36 yards, 1 touchdown) on a 20-yard pass. Then on DeVonta Smith (6 receptions, 120 yards, 2 touchdowns) on a 31-yard pass which sealed the score.
But if the two quarterbacks were able to be in an armchair, it is because Saquon Barkley (31 races, 167 yards) totally disoriented the Dallas defense. In pursuit of the single-season yardage record (held by Eric Dickerson and his 2,105 yards), he surpassed the 2,000 rushing yard mark and broke another record along the way. The runner now becomes the player having covered the most yards for his first season with his new team. On the other side of the field, Philadelphia can thank CJ Gardner-Johnson. Author of two interceptions including a pick-6 on the first drive of the match, he allowed his team to take the lead throughout the entire match.
Too clumsy, the Cowboys couldn't hope for anything
Already little helped by the cascade of injuries which affects them (Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb to name a few), the Cowboys have shown too much clumsiness to hope for anything. From the first drive of the match, Cooper Rush (15/28, 147 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions) sets the tone with a pick-6 thrown at CJ Gardner-Johnson. After straightening out the situation thanks to a touchdown thrown to Jalen Tolbert (3 receptions, 30 yards, 1 touchdown), it is Jake Ferguson's turn to make his mistake. While the Cowboys are only trailing by a touchdown a few minutes before the break, the tight end releases the ball in his half. He thus offers an easy field goal to Philadelphia, which will be followed by a touchdown a few minutes later, after Cooper Rush was again intercepted (24-7 at the break).
Returning from the locker room, there was no improvement in the Texans' game. The only successful offensive series of the half ended with a new fumble, this time from runner Rico Dowdle (23 races, 104 yards, 1 fumble). Manhandled both offensively and defensively, Dallas was no match and conceded two new touchdowns. Philadelphia is rolling and Dallas was definitely no match this evening.
