10 quick reactions from Cowboys’ thrilling comeback vs Eagles
By Jerry Trotta
Anthony Barr drops a gift from Gardner Minshew
When a defense is struggling as much as Dallas, you have (HAVE) to capitalize on mistakes. Jayron Kearse went out and made a play, and Prescott and Lamb capitalized. The football gods only give you so many chances to make plays, and Anthony Barr came up short when Minshew overthrew his intended receiver.
It wasn’t an easy catch by any stretch — Barr was outstretched — but it hit the veteran linebacker in the numbers, and he flat out dropped it.
The four-time Pro Bowler will tell you he should’ve caught it … because he should have. The Eagles only got a field goal out of it, but when stops are at a premium you cannot let opportunities like this slip through your fingertips … or bounce of your chest in this case.
Brutal start to the second half
Talk about wasting winning the coin the toss.
First, KaVontae Turpin’s electrifying 56-yard return to open the second half was negated by a hold on Nahshon Wright. A few plays later, Michael Gallup dropped a pass on third down. It was tight coverage, and there was definitely hand-fighting and contract from James Bradberry, but Prescott fired it only where Gallup could catch it … and it clanked off his hands, forcing a punt.
Great coverage by James Bradberry. Has to be a catch, anyway. Michael Gallup just hasn't been the guy we remember.
— David Helman (@davidhelman_) December 24, 2022
Gallup would redeem himself with an incredible TD grab on 3rd down to bring the Cowboys back from a 27-20 deficit. Credit where it’s due.
Nick Sirianni toyed with Dan Quinn on 4th down TD
Depending on the situation, most defenses have to make four plays to force the Eagles to settle for a field goal. That’s exactly what happened in third quarter after Nahshon Wright made a beautiful third-down tackle.
The Eagles elected to go for it on 4th and 3, and Nick Sirianni flexed all over Dan Quinn by subbing out AJ Brown to sell the run. The decision had Trevon Diggs lined up on DeVonta Smith. Diggs gambled thinking Minshew was throwing to Dallas Goedert, leaving Smith in acres of space in the end zone.
Touchdown, bad guys. Great coaching job from Sirianni.