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Cowboys Explode, Eagles Implode: the Great, the Good and the Not Too Bad

By Richard Ball

ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 30: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates after a first down during a game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium on October 30, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. The Dallas Cowboys defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in overtime 29-23. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 30: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates after a first down during a game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium on October 30, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. The Dallas Cowboys defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in overtime 29-23. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

The Not Too Bad
Midway through the first quarter, the Cowboys defensive line overloaded the right side of the Eagle offensive line. Linebackers Leighton Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith filled the gaps on the left-hand side of the formation.

At the snap, both linebackers rushed forward. Eagles running back Jordan Howard was able to sneak his way through the line for a big 16 yard gain.

With 3:34 left in the second quarter, the Cowboys lined up in the same defensive formation. The Eagles recognized what the Cowboys were doing and slid their protection to the left to account for the expected linebacker blitz.

But this time, the Cowboys switched things up. Linebackers Sean Lee and Smith backed off into coverage. Slot corner Jourdan Lewis then came free on a blitz and had an unimpeded path to the quarterback.

At the snap, Eagles tight end Zack Ertz chipped on Demarcus Lawrence before running his pass route. This allowed tackle Lane Johnson to neutralize Lawrence.

Defensive end Robert Quinn and tackle Maliek Collins ran a twist stunt around the left side of the Eagles line. Eagles rookie running back Miles Sanders chipped on Collins as Quinn engaged the left guard Isaac Seumalo and center Jason Kelce.

Right guard Brandon Brooks was left looking for someone to block. In the play, the Cowboys rushed only four and the Eagles used two to chip and their five linemen.

The scheme allowed the four rushers to defeat the seven-man protection for a critical eight-yard sack on third down. The Eagles were forced to punt allowing the Cowboys to drive for a field goal and increase their lead to 24-10.

The scary part for Cowboys fans is the expectation to play this well all the time. After two stinkers against the Packers and the Jets, the remedy was a home win over a divisional rival.

dark. Next. The 10 most memorable Cowboys games since 1989

Dallas now has a 3-0 division record and a one-game lead on the Eagles. As always, the team will quickly compartmentalize this big win. Only next week, their opponent will be rest and relaxation as the team enjoys their bye week.

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