PHILADELPHIA – Much like the first game with the Eagles, the Cowboys were blown out by the end. But early on, there were chances for Dallas to be in the game and make it competitive.
Here are some plays that might be forgotten but could've changed the outcome, or at least the final margin.
Deep ball to Cooks before INT – On the Cowboys' first drive of the game, Cooper Rush had moved the offense into Philadelphia's territory. On a second-and-3 at the Eagles' 35-yard line, the quarterback went deep to wideout Brandin Cooks down the left sideline. Cooks had a step on his defender and was getting bumped the entire way, but no foul was called. Either way, the Cowboys had a shot to run the ball and move the sticks for a first down. Instead, the incomplete pass led to another, and that one was picked off by safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and returned for a touchdown.
Booth illegal contact wipes out sack – Early in the second quarter, with the game tied 7-7 and the Eagles offense yet to get on track, the Cowboys pushed Philly into what looked to be a third-and-16 after a sack by linebacker Marist Liufau back on the Eagles' 13-yard line. But an illegal contact call on cornerback Andrew Booth wiped out the play and gave Philadelphia its first first-down of the game. The Eagles took that and drove the field for a touchdown to take a 14-7 lead.
Rush checks down; Ferguson fumbles – Turnovers aren't usually considered "forgotten" plays, but with the Eagles up 14-7, the Cowboys had moved the ball somewhat successfully to this point in the second quarter. On first down, Rush rolled to his right and didn't see an open Jalen Tolbert about 20 yards down the field. Instead, he dumped it off to Jake Ferguson, who was stripped of the ball for a fumble that led to more Eagles points.
Rush deep INT, followed by return – Another turnover that makes the list. This one wasn't just the turnover, but the return from Gardner-Johnson, who made his second pick of the game. Late in the first half, down 17-7, the Cowboys had a shot to get into Brandon Aubrey's range for a field goal. But on third-and-6 at the Cowboys' 42-yard line with 50 seconds left, Rush went deep for Cooks, who had three defenders around him. The ball was picked off at the 10-yard line and returned 25 yards. That gave the Eagles enough time to get down the field and add another touchdown. Without that interception and big return, the half likely ends with the score at 17-7.
Turpin's drop prevents big play – The game was probably already out of hand, but down 27-7 in the third quarter, the Cowboys had one shot to get back in the game before it was too late. On a third-and-10 from their 30-yard line, Rush threw a receiver screen to KaVontae Turpin, who had plenty of room and blockers in front of him. He had a shot for a big play, perhaps even a touchdown if he could get past a defender. But Turpin never got the chance because he dropped the pass before he could get started. The Cowboys had to punt the ball away, and the Eagles eventually scored on the next drive to blow the game open. Later in the fourth quarter, Turpin caught the same pass and went for 16 yards.
