The Dallas Cowboys came within inches of toppling the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night, falling just short in a 24–20 thriller that offered both frustration and encouragement for the season ahead.
This game wasn’t about talent — it was about timing and execution. The Cowboys had every opportunity to steal a massive divisional win on the road but were undone by key mistakes at critical moments.
Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb had a rare off night, dropping four passes — three of them in crunch time with the game on the line. After the loss, Lamb didn’t dodge responsibility. “Man, that was terrible,” Lamb admitted in the postgame press conference. “I can’t point fingers at anybody else. I take full accountability.”
Running back Miles Sanders electrified the offense with a 49-yard run but fumbled in the red zone, erasing what could have been a game-changing touchdown.
Dallas’ defense struggled early, allowing Philadelphia to control the tempo and gain momentum. But after a 65-minute weather delay, the Cowboys returned with renewed energy. They held the Eagles scoreless in the second half, limiting Saquon Barkley and pressuring Jalen Hurts into hurried throws — a glimpse of the elite defense this team is capable of.
Through it all, Dak Prescott played some of the sharpest football of his career. His pocket presence, command of the offense, and precision on third downs kept Dallas in striking distance. Prescott finished 21-of-34 for 188 yards, leading scoring drives under heavy pressure.
Prescott stood firmly behind Lamb after the loss. “There wasn’t a big, long talk we needed to have,” Prescott said. “He took ownership and accountability. It’s Game 1, and he’s a guy who’s gonna make those plays. We’re not gonna lose confidence in him.”
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer echoed the sentiment: “Ceedee’s going to be fine. What a great player … this was a team defeat and we own that.”
Despite the painful outcome, the Cowboys’ talent and resilience still shine through—if they learn from these mistakes, redemption isn’t far off. The errors were costly, but with Dak at the helm and this team’s depth and talent, the Cowboys are still very much a threat in the NFC East.