10 quick reactions from Cowboys’ thrilling comeback vs Eagles
By Jerry Trotta
Jayron Kearse is indispensable
Kearse’s ascension in Dan Quinn’s defense has been a sight to behold. After executing a textbook forced fumble in the fourth quarter vs Jacksonville, Kearse outdid himself with a one-handed interception of Gardner Minshew in the second quarter.
Jayron Kearse INT pic.twitter.com/Zcklfgi7s6
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) December 24, 2022
The pick gave Dallas excellent field position, and six plays later Prescott took advantage of a busted coverage and connected with CeeDee Lamb for a 36-yard touchdown. That doesn’t happen without Kearse, who’s one of the most important players on the roster on either side of the ball.
Later in the game, Kearse recovered a botched handoff, meaning he accounted for both of Dallas’ stops through three quarters — and has had a hand in the Cowboys’ last three turnovers. What a player.
TY Hilton made an instant impact
Cowboys fans were clamoring for TY Hilton after Michael Gallup’s (latest) underwhelming performance vs the Jaguars. Well, Christmas came early for the Dallas faithful, because Hilton was active on Saturday, and he made an instant impact by drawing an illegal contact penalty on Darius Slay to convert a 4th and 8.
Moments later, Prescott and Lamb combined to put Dallas in front.
It’d be foolish to expect Hilton to become a huge part of the passing game, but it’s plays like this — and his 53-yard catch on third and long in the fourth quarter — that underline why he was such an important add by the front office. There’s plenty of juice left in his 33-year-old tires.
Kellen Moore brain fart ended a promising drive
What should’ve been coined the CeeDee Lamb drive after the Cowboys receiver ran roughshod in Philly’s secondary unfortunately morphed into another Kellen Moore lowlight. A 2nd and goal run to Elliott from the five-yard line is one thing, but coming out of the two-minute warning Moore dialed up a third-down fade into the one patch of grass the sun was hitting.
It was admittedly a catch you expect Michael Gallup to make, but the receiver was looking right into the sun. You have to think Gallup lost the ball as it arrived. What is Moore thinking? While we don’t love throwing a fade to begin with, jump balls are Gallup’s specialty. Maybe call it to the opposite corner?!
Don't like fade balls inside the 5. Don't like it on third and goal. Don't like it when the one patch of sun is in that corner of the end zone. Pass wasn't bad, but Michael Gallup couldn't hold on to it. Cowboys settle for FG. Tied, 17-17 with 1:49 left in the half.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) December 24, 2022
An offensive coordinator shouldn’t have to fight the elements of his own stadium, but he played right into the Eagles’ hands here, and the Cowboys settled for a 21-yard field goal when a touchdown would’ve given them the lead.