6 takeaways as Eagles dominate Cowboys, 34-6

For the first time since the 2017 season, the Eagles won at Dallas and in this one, it was a wire-to-wire, dominating win. Here are some observations …

1. Takeaways turn into a touchdown

This can sometimes be a very simple game: When the defense takes the football away and then the offense turns that takeaway into a touchdown, it changes the nature of a game. And that’s what happened on the second Dallas offensive possession, when quarterback Cooper Rush fumbled a snap out of the shotgun and defensive tackle Milton Williams ripped the ball away from Rush on the ground. Eagles football, first down at the Dallas 17-yard line.

Four plays later, quarterback Jalen Hurts Brotherly Shoved into the end zone for the score and a lead. Key play on the four-play, 17-yard drive: Hurts checks down to running back Saquon Barkley on a third-and-6 play and Barkley spins and jukes and then powers his way for 13 yards to the 1-yard line – he didn’t leap over anyone, but it was a superior run, nonetheless – to convert the first down and set up Hurts for the score.

What’s important to note here is that the Eagles have been flying, the turnover ratio has improved from -6 when the Eagles were 2-2 to +1 now that the Eagles are 7-2.

“I think the defense has done a really nice job,” Head Coach Nick Sirianni said. “They played a great game today. Forcing that turnover, I think, after our turnover was huge to keep it at 7-3. But they played, I just thought that they played, they started fast. They played great throughout the entire game. I love when we tackle well. I mean, we tackled really well.”

2. Along with that, Eagles defense holds … and holds

Philadelphia’s offense turned the ball over twice – an interception in the end zone and a lost fumble that gave Dallas possession at the Philadelphia 6-yard line. But here’s the thing: The defense was in control the entire time. And when Hurts lost the football late in the first half and Dallas took possession on the 6-yard line, there was reason for concern. The Eagles led 7-3, but you could feel some momentum shifting.

Not with this Eagles defense. Philadelphia limited Dallas to 1 yard on three plays and only gave up a field goal to preserve the lead. Then Hurts put together a 7-play, 84-yard touchdown drive – he was 5-of-6 passing for 60 yards and ran once for 24 yards – finishing things off with a 14-yard touchdown pass to tight end Dallas Goedert and the Eagles…