If you like fumbles, boy do I have a game for you. What looked to be the ‘Game of the Week’ ended up being yet another Cowboys’ multi-score victory. Sunday’s game marked the eighth time this season that the Cowboys have won by two or more touchdowns. They look phenomenal on both sides of the ball. Meanwhile, the Eagles didn’t score an offensive touchdown this game, which marks the first time in 95 regular-season games.
Quarterbacks
Dak Prescott continues to dominate. It’s a neck-and-neck battle between Dak and Brock Purdy for MVP, and rightfully so. Since the Cowboys’ Week 7 bye, he has passed for 22 touchdowns. The next closest, Purdy, has 14. He showed poise in the pocket this evening against a tough team. Taking the lead from their first possession and never looking back. Although he fumbled, which was later scooped and scored by rookie sensation Jalen Carter, he’s shown enough for me to get my MVP vote, but for others that are still waiting, his upcoming matchups against the Bills and Dolphins on the road might help determine where they stand.
Jalen Hurts, who before this game was tied in MVP voting odds with Dak, had his worst game of the season. He failed to find the end zone, didn’t top 200 yards passing, and lost a fumble. There were some shots to A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith in which they almost connected. Some to keep the drive alive, others for a touchdown. Hurts didn’t spread the ball around, only targeting Brown, Smith, and Dallas Goedert. Something he hasn’t done in any other game this season.
Running Backs
Tony Pollard matched his career high of seven receptions. On the season, the Eagles gave up an average of 62 yards on the ground to running backs, a number Pollard didn’t quite top, going 16-for-59 yards. But when you sprinkle in Rico Dowdle and his productive day, adding another 46 yards on 12 carries, you can say the Cowboys successfully ran the ball on the Eagles. Dowdle found the end zone and is the clear backup to Pollard if he were to go down.
As expected, D’Andre Swift had a rough game against the Cowboys, who have been fourth-best against running backs over the past month. It’s mainly because the Cowboys just get up by multiple scores, eliminating the run game, but also because their defense is elite. No running backs saw any targets, which was surprising in a game where they needed to catch up. I would have thought Kenneth Gainwell would have had a decent game given his pass-catching role, but that didn’t come to fruition.
Wide Receivers
Once CeeDee Lamb scored on the opening drive, it looked as if he was going to have another career day. While he didn’t have a career day, he still ended up with 6-for-71 and that opening drive score. I was expecting Brandin Cooks to have a decent game, but he fell down at the 1-yard line, opening up the very next play for a Michael Gallup touchdown. Gallup wasn’t really used in the offense over the past few weeks, while Cooks carved out a role as the second receiver. It seems that both of them ate into each other’s share. I’m not chasing Gallup’s 3-for-48 and a touchdown game.
Both A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith were the only two receivers who did anything. Brown had a 48 percent target share and went 9-for-94. Smith also commanded a 37 percent target share and recorded 5-for-73. A modest outing from both, although they both coughed up a fumble, which added to a loss in the turnover battle. We also had a rare Olamide Zaccheaus sighting on a fake punt that was well executed.
Tight Ends
Jake Ferguson adds to his impressive second year resume with 5-for-72 yards. He’s on pace for 745 yards, a yardage total his predecessor, Dalton Schultz, only hit once during his tenure with Dallas. He looks great with the ball in his hands, especially when he’s hurdling defenders like he did in this game.
Dallas Goedert, who was recovering from a forearm fracture, got back onto the field for the first time since Week 9. While he caught everything thrown his way, he didn’t make an impact in his first game back in the line-up. I’m okay starting him going forward.
Miscellaneous
I’m not one to usually celebrate kickers, but Brandon Aubrey hasn’t missed a field goal all season. It’s absolutely incredible. All nickname ideas for him in the comments are welcome. Overall, I’m not concerned about the players who had a down game, except for Cooks. Simultaneously, Gallup is a riser if he makes his mark on the offense. This could be a situation in which you’re hoping one of the two gets the leftover targets and receiving work from Lamb and Ferguson, because you don’t want Cooks and Gallup fighting for a 2a/2b role.
—Colt Williams
Williams is working towards a degree in economics and statistics at Sonoma State. A United States Air Force veteran, he’s been playing fantasy football since 2012. Follow him on Twitter @_ColtWilliams