Does it get any better? — 5 takeaways from Cowboys-Eagles a day later

Does it get any better than this?

Does it get any better than clinching the NFC East in front of 69,879 at Lincoln Financial Field against the stinking Cowboys 41-7?

No. It does not.

This was a laugher, and Dallas had zero answers against Kenny Pickett and Tanner McKee. It was awesome.

Here are my five observations a day after the win:

Backup QBs come through

Without Jalen Hurts, Pickett was going to have to be huge in this game for the Eagles to have a shot. He was.

Pickett played mistake-free, managed the game to a tee, made big plays, and showed a lot of toughness throughout taking some big hits from the Cowboys’ defense. He finished 10/15 with 143 yards, a touchdown to DeVonta Smith, and a career-high 119.6 passer rating.

The longest play of the day was a 49-yard pass to Smith from the 50-yard line at the end of the second quarter. Smith cooked Andrew Booth, and Pickett threw an absolutely perfect pass to the one-yard line. A few plays later, Pickett got the score with the tush push.

Now, Pickett entered this game with a rib injury. In the middle of the third quarter with the Eagles up 27-7, Micah Parsons took a shot to Pickett’s ribs, and it knocked him out of the game.

In came McKee for his first NFL appearance, and he was tremendous. He went 3/4 with 54 yards and two touchdowns.

But, the Eagles won this game off the back of Pickett. He proved that he is a real NFL quarterback when he has a real team around him and a great offensive line in front of him, unlike what he had in Pittsburgh.

Much needed bounce-back on defense

The Eagles’ defense had a nightmare fourth quarter in Washington last week where they allowed 22 points in the 15-minute frame. This was a much-needed and impressive rebound.

It was going to be interesting how this young and pretty inexperienced group would respond this week, and they were excellent outside of some early issues.

The Cowboys had a 70-yard touchdown drive in the first quarter, but their next eight drives went for just 158 total yards, eight first downs, and no points. The Eagles completely dominated them.

And the Eagles forced four turnovers for the second straight week. C.J. Gardner-Johnson had two interceptions, including a pick-six, and forced fumbles by Oren Burks (who was filling in for an injured Nakobe Dean) and Nolan Smith. They have forced nine turnovers in the last two weeks.

What happened against the Commanders last week was not who this defense is. This is still the best defense in the NFL, and a bounce-back like this solidified it.

After an ugly ejection, Gardner-Johnson showed out

Gardner-Johnson received two personal fouls last week and was ejected. He flipped off the crowd going into the locker room, went live on Instagram during the game in the locker room, and talked poorly about the referees. It was very undisciplined from one of the leaders of this team.

He returned Sunday, broke down the Eagles in their huddle following warm-ups, and had one of the best games of his career.

For his pick-six early, Gardner-Johnson leaped high for the ball and then immediately went in return mode, sprinting down the right sideline for the first pick-six of his career from 70 yards out. His second pick later set up a touchdown just before halftime. He is now up to six INTs on the year.

Washington was having issues getting things going prior to Gardner-Johnson’s disqualification last week. When he is on the field, this defense is just so much better in every aspect.

Mr. 2,000

Saquon Barkley is now the ninth-player in NFL history to reach 2,000 yards in a season.

Barkley ran for 127 in the second half Sunday and 167 total. He is at 2,003 yards and needs 101 more against the Giants next week to break Eric Dickerson’s single-season record. Will Barkley play? We will see.

But for now, Barkley continued what he does best, pounding down the throat of his defenders in the second-half. His little one, two yard gains turn in 10 or 12 yards in the second half. He and this Eagles offensive line get stronger as the game progresses. It has happened every week, and it is beautiful to watch.

And Sunday was the first time he has ever clinched won something in the NFL. He never won the NFC East as a Giant. He never knew teams got shirts and hats for clinching stuff. He does now, and he better get used to it.

A change on special teams

This kind of went under-the-radar on Sunday, but kick-offs received a big change Sunday.

Braden Mann, who has been doing kick-offs all season, is out and Jake Elliott is in.

Mann has been kicking the ball off short and setting opposing offenses up with good field position. This was extremely apparent last week. And with KaVontae Turpin‘s 34.4 kick return average waiting back to return, the Eagles could not afford Mann’s short kicks. 

Five of Elliott’s seven kickoffs were touchbacks and the other two Turpin returned for 26 and 22 yards, which is not bad for the Eagles.

The Eagles were reluctant to make the switch because they want to proserve Elliott’s leg, but they had to do it. And Elliott is drilling field goals again as well. So it is all working out.

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