Tag: 2022 Week 16

Dak Prescott’s perfect performance against zone looks is actually a trend

Prescott’s performance against zone coverage is not an outlier but rather the next step in a trend of week-over-week success. | From @ReidDHanson

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott was nearly flawless in his performance against the Eagles on Christmas Eve. After a pesky first quarter interception was returned for a touchdown, Prescott put on a passing clinic, going 27-for-35 for 347 passing yards in the Cowboys 40-34 victory over Philadelphia.

In the 10 games since Prescott has been back from a Week 1 thumb injury to his throwing hand, he’s elevated the Dallas passing attack to league-high levels. The Cowboys are among league-leaders in yards, points, DVOA, EPA, and success rate. On Saturday, there was one stat that encapsulated just how special the QB was, but it spoke to a season-long trend. not just a single-game performance.

Prowess in the Clutch: Cowboys elite 3rd-down efficiency proves decisive

The Dallas Cowboys are an top offensive team but where they really stand out as elite is in their in their efficiency on third downs. Here’s how it played out vs Eagles. | From @ReidDHanson

It’s no secret. High-stakes NFL games are often won on the critical downs. While early downs typically produce the biggest gains in yardage, third and fourth downs consistently prove to be the most pivotal in increasing win probability and expected points.

For the Dallas Cowboys, those critical downs have become the cornerstone of their offense. Third downs specifically, have separated Dallas from the rest of the pack, and against the Philadelphia Eagles on Christmas Eve, third downs proved to be the deciding factor.

End-zone angle of Prescott’s red-beam dot to Hilton gives goosebumps

Take a look at the now famous Dak Prescott dime to T.Y. Hilton from an amazing end-zone angle that will give you goosebumps watching it. | From @KDDrummondNFL

We’ve already given space here to the words of Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott on the spectacular game he played. “Is this really happening?” he thought, after throwing a Pick-6 on the game’s opening drive to put his team in an immediate hole. He responded, of course, going 24-for-24 against zone coverage en route to a 347-yard passing day and player of the game honors.

In a double comeback, Prescott and company had to come up with some spectacular plays, including this gutsy fourth-down call that allowed the final assault to begin. But the biggest play was of course, that fateful 3rd-and-30 completion to newcomer T.Y. Hilton. “That’s what I do,” Hilton would say afterwards. And while he might be used to making such plays, it’s still an amazing to witness.

Even moreso, when a cameraman captures it from the perfect angle. That’s exactly what Fox photojournalist Chris Hanks was able to do on Saturday. The throw should be placed in the Louvre. This is the angle they need to use.

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See how Kellen Moore stole sneaky run, allows Cowboys to turn tide vs Eagles

A complete breakdown of the most important play of the game and how Kellen Moore pulled it out when given the go from Mike McCarthy in a crucial situation. | From @KDDrummondNFL

The Dallas Cowboys could not run the football against the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday. Running the rock has rarely been an issue for the club in 2022, but they occasionally have a harder time against teams familiar with their attack. In Week 4 against Washington the backs were limited to 55 yards on 27 carries. In Week 16’s win, the backs were only able to 74 yards on 25 carries. The only player able to produce much of a ground game was quarterback Dak Prescott, who had 41 yards on just six carries.

But when it mattered most, offensive Kellen Moore dialed up a brilliant play call that was able to save Dallas’ skin. What makes it more impressive is it’s a play Dallas hadn’t run before, and all signs appear to point to it being installed over the short week following their loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 15.

Hat tips to John Owning of Pro Football Focus and Jared Dubin of CBS Sports for the pull. All stills are from the Fox Sports broadcast via NFL+.

3 Stars: What players most help the Cowboys give the Eagles their second loss on the year?

There were many players who stepped up in a big way, but none moreso than these three Cowboys. | From @cdpiglet

The Cowboys and Eagles went to war in one of the season’s best games.  Philadelphia got ahead early, only to see Dallas comeback, before a back-and-forth, see-saw battle that came down to the last few seconds.

Both teams had excellent performances across the board. The offenses combined for 13 scoring drives. The Eagles’ defense completely shut down Dallas’ run game and even scored themselves on a Pick-6. The Cowboys’ defense overcame a lackluster play-by-play effort with four takeaways. Even special teams on both sides were perfect, going a combined six for six on field goals and not missing a single extra point.

Two of the top teams in the NFC went at it in what could be a preview of great playoff game, but these were the top individual performances who helped Dallas squeak out the victory.

Prescott sensationally bounces back to lead Cowboys to 11th win of 2022

It couldn’t have started any worse, but every villain has an origin story. On Saturday night, Prescott was once again that for the Eagles. | From @TimLettiero

Since returning from injury, face of the franchise quarterback Dak Prescott has divided opinion with his performance. On Saturday, facing Dallas’ bitter rivals and best-record Philadelphia Eagles, he silenced all critics.

After an early Pick-6 put the Cowboys down 10-0, Prescott could be seen taking responsibility for the slow start and rallying the troops on the sideline. He is often heralded for his strong leadership, maturity and resilience, and showed that poise in carving up on the of league’s top defenses for just under 400 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns through the air.

Prescott would put those traits on display, going 14-of-16 for 151 yards on the following three drives after the interception, including this score to WR CeeDee Lamb.

Oh, and this insane play as well.

After halftime, the Eagles re-established their 10-point lead. Once more the troops were rallied and every drive from that point forward resulted in points.

Towards the end of the third quarter, trailing by seven, Prescott spearheaded a drive which was capped off by this beautiful pitch and catch to WR Michael Gallup.

With the score again tied, this time at 27, the Dallas defense gave up a touchdown yet again. On the ensuing drive, the offense faced adversity early but Prescott connected with WR T.Y. Hilton, who was making his 2022 debut, on this bomb on 3rd-and-30.

Four plays later, Prescott found Lamb in the end zone for the second time to tie the game yet again.

The Dallas defense would hold while the offense added two more field goals, ultimately sealing the win for the Cowboys.

After an awful start, Prescott didn’t bat an eye and proved why he is one of the best at his position. When asked what he thought of Prescott’s performance after the poor interception, head coach Mike McCarthy said, “That’s who he is. He eats adversity for lunch.”

Best pics from Cowboys Week 16 win over defenseless Eagles

Take a look at the best pics from Dallas’ big win for Christmas. | From @KDDrummondNFL

The Dallas Cowboys’ win in Week 16 was much appreciated by the majority of the fanbase, who got a reprieve from the vocal minority and turf-infringing Eagles fans on their social media accounts. Dallas’ defense had some problems but outside of two or three plays, the Cowboys offense delivered timely presents to all the nice boys and girls who continue to dream of big things to come.

Relive some of the best moments from Saturday’s 40-34 win that improved the team’s record to 11-4 on the season with two weeks to go. Enjoy the captures from the great photographers of Getty Images and USA Today Sports.

Cowboys rally twice before holding off Eagles in classic rivalry win, 40-34

The Cowboys’ offense had to overcome their defense, but did, scoring their fourth 40-burger in their last eight games. | From @KDDrummondNFL

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Loved ones are going to need to give a little leeway to Dallas Cowboys fans this Christmas as the euphoria from this may not subside anytime soon. Adrenaline is probably still racing through their veins after Dallas was able to execute two double-digit comebacks against the team with the league’s best record. The Philadelphia Eagles came into AT&T Stadium with a gaudy 13-1 record, without their starting quarterback but with a team that had a whopping 17 Pro Bowlers or alternates out of their starting 22 players.

The Cowboys found themselves down  10-0 in the blink of an eye after an inexcusable Pick-6 by quarterback Dak Prescott. But they battled back for a halftime tie at 17. They quickly fell behind by 10 again to start the second half, but again battled back as Prescott totaled 388 yards and three touchdowns. A defense that was under siege all game finally came up with a stop to keep the Eagles out of the end zone. When the dust settled, Dallas found themselves 40-34 victors to improve to 11-4 on the season.

The Cowboys’ 40 points is the most the Eagles defense has allowed all season.

Dallas maintained their outside chance of both winning the NFC East and the No. 1 seed in the conference.

Dan Quinn’s defense couldn’t stop the Eagles and Gardner Minshew unless they were forcing turnovers, but they did create four turnovers which led to 20 Dallas points.

The Cowboys have a quick turnaround, with a Thursday contest against the slumping Titans who have lost five in a row and fallen out of first place in the AFC South.

Cowboys-Eagles Inactives: Rookie ruled out following car crash, Hilton to play

A look at who the Cowboys and Eagles are sitting for their Week 16 matchup on Christmas Eve. While Hilton will play, two other WR won’t. | From @KDDrummondNFL

As announced on Friday, the Dallas Cowboys will be without rookie edge rusher Sam Williams in their fight against the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday. Williams was injured in a car accident on Thursday and has both a concussion and a neck strain. He’s one of seven players the Cowboys have made inactive for the game from their 55-man roster. Not on that list is WR T.Y. Hilton, who will make his debut for Dallas.

The Eagles’ inactive list is of course headlined by quarterback Jalen Hurts, who sprained his throwing shoulder in their Week 15 win over the Chicago Bears. This is fair exchange, as Dallas was without Dak Prescott in the Week 6 matchup between the two top teams in the NFC East. Here’s a look at all of the inactives.

 

Advanced stats show areas where Cowboys have advantage over Eagles

While the Eagles do hold the advantage over the Cowboys, playing without Jalen Hurts evens the odds. | From @ProfessorO_NFL

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“T’was the night before Christmas and all through our minds,

The Cowboys face the Eagles with the NFC East title on the line.”

Before we begin, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all of us at CowboysWire!

The bells are ringing, the presents are wrapped and it’s that special time of year; the time for the Dallas Cowboys (10-4) to face off with the Philadelphia Eagles (13-1) with a national audience watching.

The entire NFC East has been formidable this season and the Eagles and Cowboys have been at the top of the class. The Cowboys have beaten a league-high five teams currently with a winning record, while the Eagles are right behind them with four. Both teams feature offenses that can score points quickly and defenses that are more naughty than nice to opposing offenses.

The Eagles are facing adversity with their starting quarterback, Jalen Hurts, out with a shoulder strain. The last time these two teams met, the Cowboys were without their franchise QB, Dak Prescott, on the road.

Each week we open up the Advanced Stat Notebook to analyze how each team ranks in EPA, DVOA, ANY/A and Toxic Differential. These four key metrics have a high correlation to win probability.