The Cowboys 2019 season hopes took a massive hit, as they fell to Philadelphia 17-9 in Week 16. A win would’ve clinched the division, but now the Cowboys find themselves on the outside looking in, needing help heading into the final week of the season to make the playoffs.
The loss to the Eagles dropped the club’s record to 7-8 and they need to win next week and get help from the 4-11 New York Giants to earn a berth. In other words, things are looking grim.
It was over when . . .
. . . Dak Prescott and Michael Gallup couldn’t connect on 4th and 8 from the Philadelphia 23 with 1:21 left in the game. The play survived a replay review for defensive pass interference before it was ultimately upheld as an incompletion. The Eagles took over on downs, and bled out the clock.
Game balls
WR Michael Gallup
One of the lone sources of offense early in the game, Michael Gallup led the team with 98 receiving yards on five catches. His 41 yard grab in the second quarter was the team’s longest play from scrimmage, and set up Dallas’s first field goal. Gallup’s night could’ve been much bigger however, had he been able to reel in some crucial catches on the team’s final drive.
DE DeMarcus Lawrence
Lawrence did much of the dirty work on defense to keep the Cowboys in the game. He recorded just three total tackles (two solo), but also affected the game with two pass defenses and another QB hit. His presence on the defensive line opens things up for many of the other Dallas pass rushers.
K Kai Forbath
For better and for worse, Forbath was the entire Cowboys offense. He made all three field goals, hitting from 49 twice and another from 32. Unfortunately, even with a more reliable kicker, this year’s Dallas team continues to struggle and underachieve on offense.
Key Stat: 33%
Prescott targeted Amari Cooper 12 times, resulting in just four catches for 24 yards. It was a night where the Cowboys’ No. 1 receiver could’ve really taken advantage of a beat up Philadelphia secondary, but Cooper simply wasn’t able to get consistently open, or do much with the ball in his hands.
Quick Hits:
- It was far from Dak Prescott’s best game, who finished completing 25 of 44 passes for 265 yards, two sacks, zero touchdowns. It was only the second time all season he didn’t record either a passing or rushing touchdown. He was off on several throws, and didn’t receive much help on others, but overall, it was a disappointing result in a must-win game.
- Six of Prescott’s pass attempts resulted in drops, a running theme this season. Jason Witten and Cooper were each guilty of memorable drops in the first half that would’ve really helped the Cowboys’ cause.
- Tony Pollard’s fumble on Dallas’s opening second half drive ended their best opportunity to take control of the game. The Cowboys looked to be in command, and were just outside Philadelphia’s red zone before Pollard took his only two rushing attempts of the game. The rookie has been electric this season, but he greatly cost Dallas this game.
- Unfortunately, Pollard was only in that situation because Ezekiel Elliott was previously shaken up, and took himself out of the game. It was tough sledding for Elliott early, who was mostly bottled up before coming to life in the third quarter. He ultimately rumbled for 47 yards on 13 carries, but it seemed like the Cowboys insistence on getting Elliott going really sputtered and held back their offense.
- The Dallas offense benefitted from two missed Jake Elliott field goals from 53 and 55 yards out, setting them up with rare short fields and keeping them in the game. Only able to come away with field goals themselves, the game could’ve been much different if the Cowboys had been able to reach the end zone.
- Freshly signed LB Malcolm Smith recorded two tackles, including one for loss. He was also involved during Xavier Woods’ early third down stop on Miles Sanders at the end of the first quarter. It was a good showing on short notice for the former Super Bowl MVP.
- The Dallas defense came up with a huge series to force an Eagles punt with 4:40 left in fourth quarter, giving the offense one last chance. Michael Bennett stopped Sanders in the backfield on first down, and then Robert Quinn strip-sacked Carson Wentz to set up botched screen attempt on 3rd and 18. Philadelphia had been driving, looking to go back up two scores and end the game, before being forced backward by an emotionally charged Cowboys defense.
- Jason Garrett does not win these games. His team once again folded when given another chance to prove what kind of team they are. Garrett’s conservative game management really limited their chances as the game wore on, perhaps best evidenced by his early fourth quarter decision to punt from his own 33 down 11 points.
- Needing to be extra aggressive and in the face of a very manageable 4th and 1, Garrett instead opted to punt, and was rewarded with a Blake Jarwin false start. He ended up choosing 38 yards of field position over a chance at extending the drive, in a game where Dallas would only get two more possessions.
- Somehow, the Cowboys are still in the playoff picture at 7-8. The NFC East’s comical battle royal all comes down to Week 17, as all four teams play each other. If the Eagles fall to New York, and the Cowboys win over Washington, they’ll win division and stumble into the playoffs.
[vertical-gallery id=636854][lawrence-newsletter]