The Philadelphia Eagles faced a tough setback on Sunday at AT&T Stadium, suffering a last-minute defeat to the Dallas Cowboys after initially racing out to a commanding 21-0 lead. The game concluded with a 42-yard field goal by Brandon Aubrey as time expired, leaving the Eagles with a disappointing final score of 24-21. This result marked the Eagles’ largest collapse of the decade, while simultaneously allowing the Cowboys to achieve their biggest comeback in franchise history.
Despite a hot start, the Eagles struggled significantly in the second half, punctuated by a total of 14 penalties—a season high—amounting to 96 yards. The team’s discipline was notably lacking, with many of the infractions occurring prior to the snap. Head coach Nick Sirianni acknowledged the need for improvement, stating that the team did not lose focus strategically. “I didn’t think so… We just weren’t very efficient as an offense in the second half,” he said in his post-game remarks, emphasizing the necessity of reevaluating their execution and schemes.
On the offensive side, Saquon Barkley, who had been exceptional in the previous season, faced difficulties, managing only 22 yards on 10 carries and contributing to the team’s woes with a critical fumble during a key drive. Barkley expressed his frustration, acknowledging his need to improve: “I’m in a little funk right now. I’ve had funks before. Just got to break it.”
The Eagles also experienced significant challenges on defense, particularly within their secondary, where the team lost three starters during the game. Cornerback Adoree’ Jackson exited with a potential concussion, safety Reed Blankenship sustained a thigh injury, and Drew Mukuba left with a lower leg injury. With a short turnaround before their upcoming game against the Chicago Bears, the team faces uncertainty about their availability for the crucial matchup.
The loss against the Cowboys was particularly stinging as it underscored the Eagles’ struggles within their division, marking a missed opportunity against a Dallas team previously winless against opponents with winning records. Quarterback Dak Prescott excelled for the Cowboys, throwing for over 300 yards and solidifying his dominance against the Eagles on home turf.
Adding to the Eagles’ challenges, right tackle Lane Johnson is expected to miss several weeks due to a Lisfranc sprain, making the team’s path forward even more daunting. This defeat not only impacts the team’s standings but also serves as a wake-up call as they aim to regroup and maintain their playoff aspirations.
