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Cowboys Week 15 Thoughts – Matt Meyer

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Post by Matt Meyer | @Bluto51 on X

Statement win for the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night as Dallas beat the Philadelphia Eagles 33-13 to improve to 10-3 on the season. Cowboys and Eagles are tied atop the NFC East with Dallas having the current advantage because their record in the division is better than Philly’s. However, Philadelphia is still in the driver’s seat in the East; if both teams win their final four games, the tiebreakers would go the Eagles’ way for the division title.

The statement that the Cowboys made on Sunday was that they are capable of soundly beating one of the best teams in the NFL. In prove it games against the elite of the league, Dallas was hammered at San Francisco, came up short in Philadelphia, and controlled the Eagles on Sunday. Whether or not the Cowboys can do that consistently in the playoffs remains to be seen, but Dallas showed the ability to play at a high level against good competition on Sunday. So many of the Cowboys’ wins this season have been against teams that aren’t going to be in the playoffs. Philadelphia isn’t playing their best ball right now, but the Eagles’ roster is still the envy of almost everyone in the NFL. Have to think that not only winning, but being in full control of the ballgame can give Dallas a shot of confidence.

Dak Prescott played well in this game, completing 24-39 for 271 yards and 2 TD’s while also having a fumble that was returned for a score. However, this was not a Prescott laser show like we’ve seen in recent weeks. Appeared to me that the Cowboys were much more intent on establishing the ground game early, and Dallas found some success running the football, carrying 32 times for 138 yards and a TD. Not sure if that was the game plan or if the Eagles’ two high safeties led Dallas to attack on the ground more, but it was encouraging to me to see the Cowboys control a game without having to rely on Prescott’s arm. This was Prescott’s lowest completion percentage and second lowest total of passing yards since the San Francisco game. Cowboys had four completions of 26 or more yards, but it didn’t feel quite like the explosive passing game that we’ve seen recently. Despite that, Dallas beat a really good Philadelphia team handily. Good sign.

Key to the game was Dallas forcing 3 turnovers and getting a stop on 4th down, all in Cowboy territory. Dallas’ defense bent some but never really broke as the Eagles did not have an offensive touchdown. Important sequence right before the half. Dallas led 17-3, Eagles got the ball with 6:14 left in the second quarter. If Philly gets in the end zone, they could’ve gone into the halftime locker room only down 7. Instead, Eagles have to settle for a FG, Cowboys go 75 yards in 1:28, aided by a personal foul facemask and a pass interference call on the same play, both of which were enforced, and Prescott hits Michael Gallup for a 1 yard TD, giving Dallas a 24-6 lead going into the locker room. Then early in the third quarter, Jalen Carter returns a fumble 42 yards for a score, and the Cowboys’ lead was cut to 24-13. Dallas answered with a FG, then got a stop on 4th and 8 when a blitz forced Jalen Hurts to get rid of the ball quickly, and the game was essentially decided.

Interesting game this Sunday as the Cowboys go to Buffalo at 3:25. Bills were viewed as a Super Bowl contender at the beginning of the season but are currently 7-6 and on the outside of the AFC playoff picture. Still a dangerous team that ranks 5th in total offense, 5th in pass offense, 10th in rush offense, and 5th in scoring. Buffalo is in the middle of the pack in the major defensive categories, but they have allowed the 6th fewest points in the league. Josh Allen is still one of the better QB’s in the NFL but he has thrown 14 INT’s this season. Stefon Diggs is 7 yards short of 1,000 receiving yards on the year. The Bills have had some significant injuries on defense this season, losing LB Matt Milano and CB Tre’Davious White for the majority of the season. Keep an eye on DE Leonard Floyd, as he has 9 1/2 sacks on the year.

Buffalo is taking some momentum into this week after a road win over Kansas City and they’re a 2 1/2 point favorite in this game. Tough one for me to pick. Had it as a Cowboys loss before the season, but Dallas is playing very well and the Bills haven’t had the year most people thought that they’d have. We might find out a lot about the maturity level of this Cowboys team, coming off a huge divisional win over a rival and after a week in which everyone, including some of their harshest critics, have been left no choice but to give them credit. How do the Cowboys handle everyone singing their praises, not just on Sunday, but throughout the week of preparation? Dallas is probably due for a down game and Buffalo is the more desperate team in this one.

Bills 27 Cowboys 24


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