ARLINGTON, Texas – The Cowboys made a statement Sunday night, getting back in the win column in a major way by thrashing the Eagles at AT&T Stadium.
There were plenty of highlights on both sides of the ball, but this game also had plenty of plays that might be overlooked. Here are the five biggest that you can't forget about:
Refs pick up early flag – On the Eagles' first drive of the game, the offense appeared to get a big call for them when the refs flagged Chido Awuzie for pass interference while guarding Alshon Jeffery. But after a brief discussion, the officials ruled the contact wasn't enough to warrant a penalty. So on the next play, the Eagles turned the ball over when Jaylon Smith stripped Dallas Goedert of the ball, setting up the Cowboys' first score.
Dak's productive QB sneak – After the early fumble recovery, the Cowboys found themselves with a third-and-1 at the Eagles' 36-yard line. Unlike last week against the Jets when they failed to convert, the Cowboys this time put the ball in Dak Prescott's hands for a sneak. He not only got the yardage, but kept his legs moving and picked up 8 yards, getting the ball into field-goal range at least. However, the Cowboys didn't settle for that, punching it into the end zone on a Tavon Austin touchdown run.
Fourth-and-1 pass to Zeke – With the Cowboys leading 14-7, they faced a fourth-and-1 at their own 49-yard line early in the second quarter. Prescott rolled out to the right and found Ezekiel Elliott out of the backfield for a 9-yard gain to keep the chains moving. The Cowboys were then able to score on Prescott's 1-yard touchdown pass to Blake Jarwin for a 14-point lead.
Lewis blitzes off the edge – There has been talk for Jourdan Lewis to get more playing time, and he made the most of it. Late in the second quarter, the Eagles were trying to get back in the game with some points before halftime. Lewis blitzed off the edge and smacked Carson Wentz to the ground, forcing an Eagles punt. Not only that, but it gave the Cowboys enough time to get the ball and get a 63-yard field goal from Brett Maher to go up 24-7 at the half.
Bubble-screen to Gallup – Late in the third quarter, the Cowboys were trying to establish a drive after Philly had just hit a field goal to make it 27-10. The Cowboys were in control, but with a third-and-12, it looked as if the Eagles were going to get the ball back soon. But Prescott's quick pass to Michael Gallup netted 14 yards to the Eagles' 48-yard line. The Cowboys were able to keep the ball into the fourth quarter and eventually drove down for another field goal, extending their lead back to 20.
