The Eagles dropped their second straight game, this time on the road to the Dallas Cowboys by a score of 33-13. The Eagles turned the ball over three times as Dallas scored on its first four to take a 24-6 halftime lead.
Rookie defensive tackle Jaylen Carter recovered a Dak Prescott pass to provide a glimmer of hope for the Eagles in the third quarter, but it wasn’t enough.
Both Philadelphia and Dallas are now 10-3 and tied atop the NFC East. Add in San Francisco for a three-way tie in the race for the conference’s top seed and a first-round bye in the playoffs.
The Eagles are back on the road next week, taking on the Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football. The Seahawks are 6-7 after Sunday’s loss to the 49ers and are on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoff picture.
Here’s how the game unfolded.
First trimester
The Cowboys capped their opening drive with a 13-yard touchdown. Dak Prescott finds CeeDee Lamb on third-and-2 for a wide-open score. The referees actually threw a flag on the play, but ruled that there was no offensive holding on the play. (Cowboys 7 – Eagles 0)
With the Eagles driving and just outside the red zone, Jaylen Hurts fumbled on a quarterback draw play. Donovan Wilson forced the ball loose and recovered it. It was Hurts’ fourth lost fumble of the season.
Brandon Oubre’s rookie year dominance continued. Kicker drilled a 60-yard field goal with ease to give the Cowboys a two-score lead. Aubrey is still perfect in field goal attempts in his short NFL career. (Cowboys 10 – Eagles 0)
Second quarter
Fake punt! On fourth-and-2, Braden Mann took the snap and passed to Olamide Zachhaus for a 28-yard gain.
Field goal! Jake Elliott sneaks a 52-yard field goal just inside the right post to put the Birds on the board! Fake pint paid for Philadelphia. (Cowboys 10 – Eagles 3)
The Cowboys’ offense was relentless. Rico Dowdle barely got the ball across the goal line for a 1-yard score. The doodle was originally ruled short, but after review, it was ruled a touchdown. (Cowboys 17 – Eagles 3)
Field goal! Elliott, once again, slipped a 44-yard field goal just inside the right post. Micah Parsons’ sack on second down pushed the Eagles back. (Cowboys 17 – Eagles 6)
The Cowboys extended their lead with a 1-yard touchdown pass to Michael Gallup. Again, the referees threw a flag, but ruled there was no offensive pass interference on the play. Kelly Ringo’s two costly penalties, both on the same play, gave the Cowboys great field position as they quickly drove down the field. (Cowboys 24 – Eagles 6)
Third quarter
Safety Red Blankenship was ruled out with a concussion after leaving the game in the second quarter.
Desperate for points to start the half, A.J. Brown fumbled on the opening drive. Stephen Gilmour knocked the ball out just before Brown’s knee hit the ground. Damon Clarke recovers the loose ball. However, the Eagles forced a three-and-out.
Touchdown! Fletcher Cox knocked the ball out of the hands of quarterback Dak Prescott and Jalen Carter was there for the scoop and the score! A 42-yard fumble return score was Carter’s first career touchdown, and briefly put the Birds back in the game. (Cowboys 24 – Eagles 13)
VET and ROOK making plays @fcoxx_91 x @breadmanjalen pic.twitter.com/qomD2pRXkU
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 11, 2023
Aubrey converted on another field goal, this time from 59 yards out. Two penalties on the Cowboys pushed them to the edge of field goal range. (Cowboys 27 – Eagles 13)
The Eagles failed to convert on fourth-and-8 from the Dallas 29-yard line. Facing a blitz, quarterback Jalen Hurts threw it to Devonta Smith but only gained 1 yard after being swallowed up by Gilmore. Smith certainly had his fingertips on a touchdown early in the drive, but couldn’t keep it up.
Fourth quarter
Another Aubrey field goal, this time from 45 yards out, put the hosts ahead by three scores. (Cowboys 30 – Eagles 13)
For the third time in the game, the Eagles punted the football away. This time it was Devonta Smith. After bursting up the middle to get a big gain, Markakis Bell punched the ball out and Malik Hocker was there.
Aubrey is now 30-for-30 on field goals in his NFL career. He connected 50 yards for his fourth make of the night and the final points of the game. (Cowboys 33 – Eagles 13)
