The Dallas Cowboys defense did what they could. For one half, they made efforts to keep the game close. They stopped Eagles RB Saquon Barkley, allowing him just 24 yards through two quarters. They harassed Philadelphia QB Jalen Hurts, sacking him five times and forcing him to commit two turnovers, including his first interception since September.
But ineptitude found it’s level for the Cowboys’ offense. Playing in their first of likely nine games without quarterback Dak Prescott, it became immediately apparent just how much suffering he had been masking. The Cowboys’ offense managed just 36 passing yards in 17 attempts in the first half. Along with an egregious fumble into the end zone by Ezekiel Elliott, they were fortunate to be down just 14-6 at the break.
Then the wheels fell off in the second half en route to a 34-6 drubbing. Dallas ended up with just 146 yards on offense, their lowest total since 2002. They gave the ball away five times.
The defeat drops the Cowboys to 3-6 on the year with another home loss at AT&T Stadium.
That’s the scene of next week’s crime, too, when the in-state rival Houston Texans come on the heels of this loss to the Cowboys’ chief division rival.
The Cowboys started Cooper Rush, hoping he’d recapture some of the 2022 magic when the team won his first four starts despite mediocre play. Well, he didn’t even deliver mediocre on Sunday. Rush finished 13 of 23 for a paltry 45 yards, losing two fumbles as well.
He was relieved for a few plays by Trey Lance, and then later for the remainder of the game. Getting the first regular season action of his Cowboys career, Lance was able to show his legs some, rushing for 17 yards, but he didn’t fare much better in the passing game either. The fifth-year pro finished 4 of 6 for 21 yards and an interception where Jalen Tolbert never looked for the pass.
On defense, Dallas got an exceptional performance by first-year linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, who had two of the five sacks in the first half. He left for a brief moment with an injury scare, but was able to return. At the time he left midway through the third quarter, he led the team with 11 tackles.
The club also welcomed back Micah Parsons, who hadn’t played since Week 4 against New York thanks to a high ankle sprain. His presence was obvious as the Cowboys had their best pass-rush of the season. Parsons logged two sacks himself.