Jalen Hurts' morbid postgame quote gives Cowboys clear path to NFC East title

Sunday could not have gone worse for the Dallas Cowboys. They were bruised and battered by the Buffalo Bills and never got off the mat. With the loss, fans were resigned to the fact that the Cowboys would concede the NFC East to the hated Eagles and have to go on the road in the first round of the playoffs and beyond.

While that still could be their fate, Jalen Hurts and the Eagles opened the door for Dallas to reclaim the division from their rivals.

Thanks to two fourth-quarter interceptions from Hurts, and some incredible heroics from Seahawks backup quarterback Drew Lock, who started for the injured Geno Smith, Philadelphia collapsed in epic fashion to lose 20-17.

The Eagles have now dropped three straight games, and with the loss the Cowboys remained atop the NFC East for the second week in a row.

There's still a lot that needs to happen for Dallas to win the division, but Hurts' grim postgame quote suggests the Eagles are broken beyond repair. In other words, the Cowboys have a clear path to reclaiming NFC East crown.

Jalen Hurts' postgame quote after Eagles MNF loss clears path for Cowboys to win NFC East

“I’ve been talking about execution all year,” Hurts said, via ESPN. “Being on the same page, everyone being on the same page. We didn’t execute. I don’t think we’re, we’re all, we’re committed enough. Just got to turn it around. You know, it’s a challenge that we have to embrace. Just continue to see it through.”

So a team that was up 24-14 on Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs at halftime of last year's (!) Super Bowl is having commitment issues? After they started 10-1 and picked up wins against the Cowboys, those same Chiefs and a surging Bills team in consecutive weeks before this three-game skid?

Whatever's going on in Philly, Hurts' quote proves something is missing. The fact everyone isn't committed is a huge problem. This also isn't the first time a high-profile Eagle has blasted the team following a loss. You might recall A.J. Brown flaming his teammates after the lowly Jets ended Philly's unbeaten run to start the year.

So, with the Eagles teetering, what will it take for the Cowboys to win the division? For starters, if Philly and Dallas both run the table, the NFC East will be determined by the fifth tiebreaker: strength of victory. The Eagles have a big edge there, so the Cowboys need Philly to lose one of their final three games.

If the Eagles drop one more game, Dallas can afford a loss to the Dolphins or Lions -- assuming they beat Washington in Week 18 -- and still win the division. While Philly has a soft schedule (they play the Giants twice and the Cardinals), Monday's collapse proved they're as vulnerable as ever.

A reminder that no team has repeated as NFC East champs in two decades.

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