By Mark Halpern
Throughout his career, Dak Prescott has had to live in the shadow of players before him and the entire Organization he is supposed to bring to the promised land. One of the most challenging jobs in sports is being the Dallas Cowboys quarterback.
Over his first seven years in the NFL, Prescott has had to try and accomplish something the Cowboys haven’t done since 1995: make it to the Super Bowl. Prescott has more yards, touchdowns, and wins in his early career, and when looking at the QBs who have played for the Cowboys (Staubach, Aikman, Romo) to live up to, and mind you, Romo didn’t get to a super bowl Aikman and Staubach lead them to eight and winning five. This is a stat most QBs would hate to have to live up to, but Dak keeps going. Dak is criticized for many things, such as throwing interceptions when trying to be aggressive, and no other quarterback gets similar treatment because of the STAR on his helmet. Dallas is America’s Team for a reason, and Dak is showing that he can lead America’s Team to their end goal.
The Cowboys hosted the Eagles for their second meeting this season, but they were at home this time, and the crowd was behind them. The first time they met, the Cowboys lost by five to the Eagles in Philly and lost by a foot. Because of standings, this game had more meaning for the Cowboys (Not that the Eagles were looking to lose). The Cowboys now are 10-3, and so are the Eagles and 49ers, who beat Dallas and Philly this year, so hold a tiebreak for home-field advantage throughout playoffs. Dallas controls its fate but has a much harder next five games than the Eagles and 49ers. Prescott led this team with 24/39, 271 yards, two touchdowns, and one fumble. Jalen Hurts threw for under 200 and zero touchdowns and lost a fumble. Dak won this time and should’ve won last time, but the past is in the past, and it’s New Dak City time. His control and accuracy were top-notch and got the offense clicking to the point that punter Brian Anger punted for the first time last night since the Thanksgiving Day game against the Commanders. Cee Dee Lamb had an impressive night, having six receptions for 71 yards and another touchdown, and Jake Fergusson keeps impressing with six receptions for 72 yards as well (becoming that dual treat of Witten and Schultz combined.)
Even with Micah Parsons dealing with illness, the defense was all over this Eagles offense. It prevented them from getting their receivers going with constant pressure and excellent coverage. Stephon Gilmore has shown why his experience and leadership has paid off. Gilmore shadowed one of the best receivers in football, A. J. Brown, and held him to 9 receptions for 94 yards. Daron Bland had a big night, not because he intercepted anyone, but because he played great coverage on Devonta Smith, limiting him to five catches for 73 yards. The Dallas defense kept up another number: takeaways with three fumbles (Hurts, Brown, and Smith) in the game and turning those into 17 points.
This Dallas team is one of the scariest teams in the NFL this season and far exceeds some people’s expectations. The Cowboys are now tied for the top spot in the NFC East, and to win the division, they have to win out, which is complex, with games against Buffalo and Miami over the next two weeks. In contrast, Philly will play the Seahawks and Giants.
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