Dak Prescott’s tale remains unchanged: the Cowboys’ stunning collapse against the Eagles
For Prescott, the Cowboys’ eight-year tenure seemed like a case study after their defeat to the Eagles.
PHILADELPHIA — Mike McCarthy said he was not surprised at all how quickly the Cowboys traveled from their own 14-yard line to the Eagles six without any timeouts (19 seconds). All a product of their practice sessions, he said. He had less to say about the offense’s equally spectacular collapse that followed as a first-and-five at the six turned into a final desperate third-and-26 from the 27 where CeeDee Lamb was stopped at the four to finish a wild 28-23 Eagles victory at Lincoln Financial Field.
You want chances? The Cowboys had amazing chances, some they created with their own fine play and, on that final drive alone, also 56 yards in penalties against the Philadelphia defense. You want yards? Dallas outgained the Eagles 406-292, posted 27 first downs to Philly’s 20.
Dallas won about any category you care to examine. But as has been the case for this team and for Dak Prescott, this feels like an entertaining sequel to a movie we have seen many, many times before. The Cowboys come up short. The Cowboys go home 2 1/2 games behind the Eagles. The Cowboys look like they are close to a game-changing victory, and then the tape breaks and the movie ends.
Alternatively, in this instance, Tyler Smith’s false start, a Dak sack that resulted in a large 11-yard loss, an incomplete throw intended for Jalen Tolbert, and an incomprehensible delay of game penalty that forced the ball back to the 27. The Eagles’ defense was out of breath, lacking a cornerback, and essentially unable to stop Lamb from getting anywhere. But the Cowboys had given them a huge respite with five seconds remaining. Lamb caught the ball barely inside the five, but a wave of defenders stopped him, actually knocking the ball free for a fumble, so it didn’t matter because eight Eagles were positioned close to the goal line.