Gardner Minshew was ready for the moment

DeVonta Smith eclipses 1,000 yards with 113-yard effort

In a game where the Eagles looked to clinch the NFC East title with a backup at quarterback, wide receiver DeVonta Smith did everything in his power to put the Eagles over the top.

Smith led the Eagles with eight catches for 113 yards and two touchdowns. The second-year receiver now has 1,014 yards on the second, eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his career. It’s his second game in a row with 100-plus yards.

While the Eagles came up short in Dallas, there is no questioning the heart and toughness that the 6-foot, 170-pound receiver displayed on Saturday.

In the second half alone, Smith had six catches for 103 yards and both of his touchdowns and the Cowboys tried to make it as difficult as possible for the Slim Reaper to creep.

“At the end of the day, it’s football. Football is all about being tough,” Smith said. “If you’re not going out there and being tough, football is not the sport for you.”

Smith’s first touchdown came off a beautiful play design. On 4th-and-3, tight end Dallas Goedert crossed the field and appeared to be the go-to target. Cornerback Trevon Diggs sensed this and crashed down to take out the tight end. Smith got lost in traffic and slipped free and was left wide open for a 14-yard score to make it 27-17 in the third quarter.

But on his next catch, Smith caught a ball on a crossing route and was immediately met by Cowboys cornerback Nashon Wright. But it was Wright who was on the wrong end of the hit as Smith instantly jumped up to denote that it was a first down at midfield after a 16-yard gain.

“That’s the whole thing. You always want to be the toughest team, the toughest and the longest and things like that,” Smith said.

Smith’s second touchdown came in the fourth quarter on an out route, where he beat rookie cornerback DaRon Bland for a 9-yard touchdown to make it 34-27, Eagles, in the fourth quarter.

His final two catches were sights to behold. Smith caught a Gardner Minshew pass between two defenders along the right sideline for an acrobatic, tip-toe 23-yard gain at midfield. On the Eagles’ final drive, Smith elevated above to rim for a 22-yard gain at the Dallas 19-yard line.

However, the Eagles could not finish the deal and will look to wrap up the division and the No. 1 seed against the Saints. Still, Smith is peaking at just the right time as the calendar flips from December to January, even without Jalen Hurts at the quarterback spot.

“Just on to the next one….