5 game-changing moments that led to the Cowboys loss against the Eagles

Unfortunately, the Dallas Cowboys just weren’t able to get it done against the Philadelphia Eagles in primetime on Sunday Night Football. A team that was supposed to be written off for the season after Week 1 came into this matchup 4-1 and ready to take down the only undefeated team in the league.

Penalties, a complete lack of offensive success, turnovers, and many other things kept that from happening. The Cowboys lost 26-17 and now (wildly) sit in third place in the NFC East behind the still-undefeated Eagles and the 5-1 Giants. To say we didn’t expect the division to be anything like this before the season is a severe understatement.

Although there is a lot for this Cowboys team to work on after going back and reviewing this game, it’s also worth noting that this team did make some serious halftime adjustments. After the offense barely showed up in the first half resulting in a 20-3 halftime score, America’s Team did make it interesting by scoring 14 points in the second half.

Even while trying to surmount a miraculous comeback, the team struggled. It was a frustrating game and fans are likely glad they’ll be getting their QB1 back soon after the ridiculous chatter of a QB controversy.

Before we completely move on from this one, let’s take a look at five of the biggest momentum-changing moments that caused the Cowboys to lose this game. These plays let the Eagles continually take command.

5 game-changing moments that led to the Cowboys’ loss against the Eagles

5. Dante Fowler Jr.’s Neutral Zone Infraction Penalty

Dante Fowler Jr., for all intents and purposes, has been a welcome addition as an offseason free agent signing. He isn’t the bread and butter of this defense, but he often has high-powered moments that help shift a game.

Unfortunately, the biggest moment for Fowler in this game was an embarrassing one.

As the seconds were running out in the first quarter, the Eagles lined up at the 10-yard line for a fourth and four. Nick Sirianni sent his guys out to make it seem like they were going to go for it. A classic scenario of hoping the other team jumps and gives us a first down, but this one was even more obvious as the first quarter was coming to a close.

The trick that everyone tries to do where the defense’s only job is to stand still worked. Fowler Jr. jumped and got called for a neutral zone infraction penalty giving the Eagles 1st and goal instead of forcing them to kick a field goal.

The play even had Cowboys legend Michael Irvin irate on Twitter. Fowler did have a big sack later in the game, but this obvious mistake and gaffe led to the Eagles getting an easy touchdown and was a big part of their strong start.

4. Cooper Rush’s First (of a few) Interception

The first half was not great for Cooper Rush. The magic man who broke a franchise record for the Cowboys saw his pixie dust run out on the primetime stage. After going four games without a single interception, the tide shifted majorly in Philly.

The first of Rush’s interceptions came right after the Eagles went up 7-0. The Cowboys needed to score on that drive if they wanted to shift the mojo. The opposite happened.

On the first play of the possession, the backup QB attempted a pass for a very-well covered Michael Gallup. Rush probably shouldn’t have even thrown the ball in the first place.

Instead, the ball was deflected by James Bradberry and caught by CJ Gardner-Johnson giving the Eagles the ball in Cowboys territory. They would quickly go up 14-0.

Rush had another interception in the first half that doesn’t make this list. He completed only five passes in the first half causing his QB rating for the first two quarters to be an abominable 1.0.

3. The Missed Challenge Call & A Horrific 4th and Inches Attempt

This is what you call a two-for-one special. This was such an embarrassing sequence of events in this game, and it will likely be reviewed and talked about all over sports television this week.

The first thing that happened was an egregious miss by head coach Mike McCarthy. Down 14-0, the ‘Boys were trying to make something happen on offense. On a 3rd and 9 in Dallas territory, CeeDee Lamb caught a pass. He was met with pressure well before the line to gain but fought to push the pile further. Then, he extended his arm out, and from the couch, it certainly looked like Lamb extended the ball far enough past the first-down line.

The replay seemed to reiterate the same thing. It was even obvious enough that the NBC broadcasters wondered why Dallas wasn’t challenging the spot.

Instead of doing that, and with plenty of time left on the clock, the Cowboys rushed into a 4th and inches play from their own 34-yard line. Once again, there was plenty of time left in the second quarter.

The play called to keep the drive going? Not a quarterback sneak. Not hanging the ball to Ezekiel Elliott or Tony Pollard. Inches away from the line to gain, Rush ran a bootleg and tried to find an open receiver several yards away with no luck.

This was just a horrible sequence of football and embarrassing decision-making all around. Not only did this force the Cowboys’ defense back on the field quickly, but it gave the Philly crowd something to be very excited about.

2. Cooper Rush Interception 2 of 3

None of Rush’s three interceptions were good by any means. Neither was the fact that the Eagles defended 12 of his passes.  However, this pick was just one of Rush’s worst passes on the night. Another example of him not even being close to his target.

He even got trolled by Pro Football Focus that he was intending his pass for Darius Slay. To be fair, it did look like it was intended more for Slay than Gallup.

Not only did this once again give the Eagles the ball back after being already up 17-0, but it also marked the team’s fourth failed third down attempt of the first half. This is really when people started to lose faith in Rush. There’s a difference between not being strong enough to beat an undefeated team but doing your best and blatantly throwing passes way off target that you have no business throwing.

1. DeVonta Smith’s Wide Open TD Seals the Deal

We do want to reiterate that it was incredibly impressive that Dallas surmounted a comeback of any kind. After the first half, it felt like the vibe of the game was that this team was going to lose by a lot more. Instead, they made it a real game and even gave fans faith that a miraculous victory was on the horizon.

However, the Eagles put together a beautiful 13-play, 75-yard drive to prove why they are the only undefeated team left in this league.

Not only was this the play that pretty much ended the night for Dallas, but it also hurt that DeVonta Smith happened to be wide open on this score. There was no one close to him when he caught the ball.

This frustrating play also led to an unsportsmanlike penalty on Trevon Diggs who sadly threw his helmet to the ground in the endzone and was seen screaming in frustration.

It wasn’t a great night for Dallas. There were several missed opportunities and disappointing moments. However, next week;s game is against a beatable Detroit Lions team and there is hope that Prescott will be back at the helm.

Cooper Rush goes from Cinderella Story to three interception night vs. Eagles

Cooper Rush's magic seemed to run out against the Eagles on Sunday Night. The Cowboys' backup QB went from a top QBR to a three-interception game.