Tag: 2022 Week 6

Prescott runs with 1s, Cowboys-Lions initial Week 7 injury report released

The Cowboys’ leader is back under center and Dallas’ injury report is cleaning up while the Lions’ have a laundry list of concerns. | From @KDDrummondNFL

The Dallas Cowboys have their field general back. Quarterback Dak Prescott, who began throwing again for the first time last week since a Week 1 broken thumb, is back in control. The timing couldn’t be better for the two-time Pro Bowler, after backup Cooper Rush’s luck ran out in the Week 6 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. On Wednesday, the team’s walkthrough before their Week 7 home contest where they’ll host the Detroit Lions saw the return of Prescott to the field as he has been fully cleared medically.

On the opposing sideline, the Lions will be looking to climb out of the NFC North basement and improve on their 1-4 record. Coming off a bye week, they have a long list of players who are dealing with medical conditions. The list is more noteworthy because having eight players completely out after a week off is significant. Here’s a look at the initial injury report for both teams.

Twitter reacts to Cowboys 26-17 loss to Eagles in Week 6

The Cowboys impressive four game win streak is no more. Twitter reacted to the highs and lows of the Cowboys tale of two halves. | From @ProfessorO_NFL

The Cowboys flew into Philadelphia with an eight-game division winning streak and a quarterback in Cooper Rush with a personal five-game winning streak. All things, good or bad, must come to an end eventually.

The improbable ride the Cowboys were on with the QB many counted out was unable to chug along any further. Penalties, turnovers and failed third-down conversions were the story of the game as the Cowboys fell behind 20-0 early and were unable to claw their way back into the game despite a stronger second-half showing. The game didn’t end the way the Cowboys would have liked but with all signs pointing to Dak Prescott returning next week and a 4-2 record, the team has positioned themselves well. Despite an ugly loss to a divisional foe, there were some fun moments and Twitter reacted to all of it, the highs and lows.

Ezekiel Elliott’s performance in Cowboys’ loss to Eagles shouldn’t get lost in shuffle

Dallas’ work horse isn’t used to losing nor poor performances against Philly, but playing his part wasn’t enough on Sunday night. A look at Elliott’s big day in a loss, from @TimLettiero

Ezekiel Elliott isn’t used to either losing or performing poorly when it comes to his matchups with the Philadelphia Eagles. The seventh-year veteran averaged over 97 yards a game against the division rival and in games he had played in the Cowboys were a gaudy 8-2. But this matchup was clearly going to be one of the tougher challenges for the veteran and it started out rough for everyone on the Dallas sideline.

Initially, it felt as if there was no chance Dallas would come close to winning their Week 6 matchup. Down 20-0 nearing halftime against the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles, the Cowboys’ offense turned their gameplay around and decided to let the running game steady the ship. The traditional settling aspect, when things are going off script and the passing game isn’t working was once again summoned, and once again it answered the call. While the team would ultimately lose by two scores, the run game helped propel Dallas to a much more convincing effort, putting the club in position to steal a win, but one the other pieces ultimately couldn’t take advantage of.

Ezekiel Elliott’s performance in Cowboys’ loss to Eagles shouldn’t get lost in shuffle

Dallas’ work horse isn’t used to losing nor poor performances against Philly, but playing his part wasn’t enough on Sunday night. A look at Elliott’s big day in a loss, from @TimLettiero

Ezekiel Elliott isn’t used to either losing or performing poorly when it comes to his matchups with the Philadelphia Eagles. The seventh-year veteran averaged over 97 yards a game against the division rival and in games he had played in the Cowboys were a gaudy 8-2. But this matchup was clearly going to be one of the tougher challenges for the veteran and it started out rough for everyone on the Dallas sideline.

Initially, it felt as if there was no chance Dallas would come close to winning their Week 6 matchup. Down 20-0 nearing halftime against the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles, the Cowboys’ offense turned their gameplay around and decided to let the running game steady the ship. The traditional settling aspect, when things are going off script and the passing game isn’t working was once again summoned, and once again it answered the call. While the team would ultimately lose by two scores, the run game helped propel Dallas to a much more convincing effort, putting the club in position to steal a win, but one the other pieces ultimately couldn’t take advantage of.

Dallas has moved towards splitting reps amongst Elliott and Tony Pollard, typically riding the hot hand. While neither excelled, Pollard had five carries for 22 yards in the first half while Elliott tallied four times for 15. But on the Cowboys first drive of the second half they leaned on the run and their march downfield that started with Pollard shining was capped off by a vintage Elliott score.

After Pollard gained 18 yards on four carries, Elliott sealed the deal with back-to-back jaunts of six and 14 yards, the later ending in the score above. After a second-straight defensive stop, Elliott got three carries for eight, six and six yards respectively. The latter gaining a clutch first down to keep the Dallas offense cruising downfield.

Dallas finished the drive with two more rushes from Elliott for 13 yards and a second-consecutive touchdown to close the gap to three points.

Even with the Eagles responding with a touchdown to push the lead to nine points, Elliott was still the man of the hour, getting back-to-back carries for another 13 yards. Unfortunately Rush’s third interception of the night would end the drive, and effectively end any realistic shot at completing the comeback.

Elliott finished the game with 13 carries for 81 yards, a score and one catch for another five yards that converted a third down. While these numbers won’t see his name get much attention nationally, he was a huge factor in the comeback effort on a day when the passing offense was struggling.

Turnovers, penalties make early hole, thwart comeback as Cowboys fall to Eagles, 26-17

The Cowboys were down horrendous, but they made it a game. Unfortunately, moral victories mean nothing as the club loses for the first time in a month. A game recap by @KDDrummondNFL

The bloom is off the rose, so to speak. Courtesy of a four-game winning streak, some Dallas fans had listened to the need-a-story-to-tell national media and believed that Cooper Rush and his 5-0 record as a starter indicated there was some level of quarterback controversy. With Dak Prescott nearing return to availability, the Philadelphia Eagles made certain all who were actually watching the game know the difference between a winning quarterback and a franchise one.

Rush was erratic throughout the evening, throwing two interceptions in the first half and another in the second. Combined with numerous penalties at inopportune times and a defense that couldn’t make the stop when necessary, the running attack of Ezekiel Elliott was not enough to forge the comeback. Dallas cut a 20-0 lead to 20-17, but gave up a long scoring drive as the Eagles pounded them on the ground. A 26-17 loss drops the Cowboys to 4-2 on the season.

Multiple things happened to the Cowboys to start the game. Dallas was marched down the field on Philly’s second drive of the game, but made the third-down stop near the end of the fourth quarter. Somehow, Dante Fowler was convinced the Eagles were going to snap the ball when everyone in the universe knew it was the draw-opponent-offside-hard-count play. He jumped. One play later, touchdown.

On the Cowboys’ next possession, Rush’s chariot turned into a pumpkin when he threw late to Michael Gallup for a tipped-pass interception. The Eagles once again had Dan Quinn’s defense befuddled, leaving Micah Parsons to choose between covering Jalen Hurts or AJ Brown, and it turned into a touchdown. 14-0.

Then the coaching staff screwed up by not challenging the catch to CeeDee Lamb, who stretched for a first down. Not only that, but down 14-0, they called a fourth-down bootleg with an immobile QB who threw to a rookie TE in traffic. Incomplete.

Fortunately the defense stiffened and forced a long field goal attempt, but it was good and Dallas was down three scores midway through the second quarter.

The lead was stretched to 20 after another Rush interception, but the ensuing kickoff turned the tide.

Rookie Kavontae Turprin broke a 56-yard return that could’ve been a touchdown if Kelvin Joseph wasn’t in the way, but it led to a field goal before the half. That turned the momentum.

Dallas outgained Philadelphia by over 150 yards in the third quarter and by the time the fourth quarter was halfway done, the lead had been trimmed to three.

The first touchdown came courtesy of Elliott, who looked dominant when given the ball and scored a 14-yard touchdown. After a defensive stop, Rush found rookie Jake Ferguson to cut the lead to three, but that’s as close as it gets.

While there’s disappointment  in the fact they couldn’t win, the Cowboys making this game competitive, with their rattled backup QB, could be a sign of things to come. The defense didn’t prove to be elite, but they are still very good with room to improve. The offense is soon to get back their actual leader, and there is still the possibility that Dallas could be dangerous down the stretch.

For now though, they are 4-2 and in third place in the surprising NFC East.

 

WATCH: Cowboys’ Ferguson scores first career TD, makes game 1 score

The Cowboys’ second half momentum rolled on with another stop and a 93-yard drive with Jake Ferguson scoring his first career touchdown. | From @CDBurnett7

The nightmare first half was quickly erased from the Cowboys’ memory at halftime as they came out with a quick stop and touchdown to cut it to a 10-point deficit. The loss of Lane Johnson for the Eagles has set up linebacker Micah Parsons against a backup.

Dallas forced another Philadelphia punt and wide receiver KaVontae Turpin ripped off a strong return but a holding penalty by cornerback Kelvin Joseph forced quarterback Cooper Rush to start from his own 7-yard line. Life was made easier for Rush with running back Ezekiel Elliott delivering against the Eagles as he’s done so often in his career.

With goal to go, Kellen Moore drew up a play action pass yet again and Rush went to tight end Jake Ferguson, who made the grab and danced by defenders for his first career touchdown.

The Cowboys marched down the field on a 93-yard drive and the already nervous Eagles crowd is silent as it’s a 20-17 game early in the fourth quarter.

WATCH: Elliott caps off old-school drive with Cowboys 1st TD

Dallas had a perfect start to the second half with a quick stop and a touchdown drive led by the running backs and tight ends. | From @CDBurnett7

After a quick stop to start the second half, quarterback Cooper Rush and the Cowboys offense finally found success in Philadelphia. Running back Tony Pollard got the ball moving, setting up a consistent play action game for tight ends Jake Ferguson and Sean McKeon who combined for 41 yards on three catches on the drive.

Once Dallas moved into the red zone, running back Ezekiel Elliott took the field and handled it from then on. A sneaky run on 2nd-and-10 set up a first down on the Eagles 14-yard line and the Elliott of old showed up to cap off the drive with a score.

Elliott showed a rare burst on the run and evaded multiple Philadelphia defenders before galloping into the endzone. A quick stop and a touchdown was all the Cowboys could ask for to open up the third quarter and silence the crowd.

Cowboys-Eagles 1st half summary: Rush, blunders lead to 20-3 hole

In a big game on the road, all that could go wrong did except for a timely kickoff return and drive to end the shutout before half. | From @CDBurnett7

While the honeymoon of quarterback Cooper Rush was an enjoyable one, the Dallas offense has been mediocre, at best, in Weeks 2-5. Taking on the 5-0 Eagles, the Cowboys had to know mediocre wasn’t enough but rushing back quarterback Dak Prescott would be ill advised.

Rush started the game with a rough three-and-out but the Dallas defense got to business with a stop. With the ball back, the Cowboys offense showed no life again but Philadelphia answered on their second offensive drive. The run game led the Eagles down the field but Dallas forced a 4th-and-4 in the red zone. While this defense has stayed discipline early, defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. committed a neutral zone infraction and Philadelphia cashed in on a Miles Sanders touchdown on the next play.

The biggest factor in Rush’s success has been the ability to avoid turnovers. After going down 7-0 in Lincoln Financial Field, Rush’s luck ran out and a tipped pass led to his first interception. Two drives later, Rush threw it straight to Darius Slay Jr. and it appeared that his confidence had disappeared.

On the other side, the Cowboys defense could only do so much and the Eagles schemed linebacker Micah Parsons into option situations where he couldn’t cover two people at once. This play design led to a fourth down conversion and an AJ Brown touchdown.

While struggles on the field were enough, Dallas had a chance to regain themselves down 14-0. On a long third down, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb made a catch and stretched for what appeared to be a clear first down. The Cowboys panicked after a short spot and went for it on 4th-and-inches, not even entertaining a potential challenge and failing on the ensuing attempt.

All that could went wrong for Dallas in the first half until a 62-yard kickoff return by wide receiver KaVontae Turpin. The short field sparked a strong drive but a few close efforts, including a miraculius grab out of bounds by wide receiver Noah Brown, came up short. The Eagles receive the ball to start the second half and they hold a 20-3 edge at home.

WATCH: Cowboys’ difficulties captured in acrobatic almost-TD by Noah Brown

Initially ruled a touchdown, Noah Brown made an impressive grab but after review, it ended up inches away from being a score. | From @CDBurnett7

The first half hasn’t been kind to the Cowboys in Philadelphia but wide receiver KaVontae Turpin shot some adrenaline into the team with a 62-yard kickoff return. On the ensuing drive, Dallas marched into the redzone and set up 1st-and-10 on the Eagles 12-yard line.

On first down, wide receiver Noah Brown made a miraculous grab after bobbling the ball and it was initially ruled a touchdown. After review, Brown only got one foot down and couldn’t get a knee or shin to the turf.

Second and third down had chances for a score but the Cowboys settled for a field goal from Brett Maher to end the shutout and make it 20-3 but Brown’s efforts won’t go unnoticed.

Dak Prescott won’t play, Cowboys announce six Week 6 inactives vs Eagles

The Cowboys’ franchise quarterback is inactive for a fifth-straight game, alongside a key tight end absent for Dallas against the Eagles. | From @CDBurnett7

For the fifth-straight game, the Cowboys are without quarterback Dak Prescott. Considering the high-profile matchup with the Eagles and clips from practice of Prescott throwing, some believed he may jump the gun and play in Philadelphia but that isn’t the case. Quarterback Cooper Rush takes the start again, looking to extend his record to 6-0.

Tight end Dalton Schultz aggravated a knee injury against the Rams and he’s inactive against the Eagles. Reserve tight end Sean McKeon was called to the active roster this week to boost the room as long as Schultz stays out.

The 6-foot-8 rookie offensive lineman Matt Waletzko rounds out the offensive inactives for Dallas. On the defensive side, it’s a repeat for another week. Linebacker Devin Harper, cornerback Nahshon Wright and safety Markquese Bell are all inactive.

Unlike the Cowboys, the Eagles have stayed mostly healthy through six weeks. Their six inactives are reserve players while defensive end Derek Barnett is the lone key piece on injured reserve.

On offense, quarterback Ian Book, running back Trey Sermon and guard Josh Sills are inactive while the defense sits defensive end Tarron Jackson, cornerback Josh Jobe and safety Reed Blankenship.

The Sunday Night Football bout between the NFC East heavyweight Cowboys and Eagles kicks off at 7:25 p.m. CT, broadcast on NBC.