The Dallas Cowboys went into Lincoln Financial Field to face off against the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles and had the ball with a chance to win at the end. If the team had been told that was going to happen, every Dallas player would’ve accepted that outcome. Considering most picked them to lose badly, and they were 8.5-point underdogs, the result wasn’t too bad at the time.
The game didn’t end the way Dallas wanted, but having a chance at the end could’ve been a significant takeaway from this game itself. However, it wouldn’t stack up with these other observations from the Cowboys’ loss to the Eagles.
Advertisement
Lamb drops were crippling for Dallas
Sep 4, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) is unable to make a reception defended by Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean (33) during the fourth quarter of the game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
CeeDee Lamb led the league with 11 drops last season, and he had four to start this season, including two really crucial ones in significant moments in the fourth quarter. The score was 24-20 when each of those drops occurred. The first was on third down, and a conversion would have put Brandon Aubrey into field goal range.
The second drop was with just under three minutes to go. Lamb beat Quinyon Mitchell on a deep post route, and Prescott hit him right in the hands, but it was dropped. Those two plays likely cost the team the game.
Cowboys run game was solid
Sep 4, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams (33) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter of the game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
The Cowboys’ running backs had 19 attempts for 107 yards, 5.6 yards per carry, and they ran for two touchdowns. With their passing attack prowess, Dallas will win a lot of games running like that. Sanders had a 49-yard explosive run, staying in the hip pocket of his lineman, patiently allowing blocks to set up in front of him, and then breaking free. A fumble five plays later cost them points, but if they can hit explosive plays like that in the run game, it could launch this offense to another level.
Advertisement
The team couldn’t put a complete half together
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 04: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys scrambles against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter in the game at Lincoln Financial Field on September 04, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
In the first half, the Cowboys’ offense looked unstoppable. They scored on all four drives, two touchdowns on the first two drives, and two field goals, including driving down with under a minute left before halftime. Unfortunately, the defense gave up touchdowns on all three Philadelphia drives before the break.
In the second half, especially after the weather delay, the defense stepped up and held the Eagles to three points. Philadelphia had less than 50 yards in the fourth quarter, but Dallas’ offense stopped scoring as well. They had a red-zone fumble that cost them a chance at points, and then there were the two Lamb drops as well. If Dallas had played better complementary football in either half, it would have walked away with a victory.
Advertisement
You can find Mike Crum on Twitter @cdpiglet or on YouTube at Across the Cowboys podcast
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: 3 Takeaways: Schottenheimer dedication to Cowboys’ run game a success