Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore and Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown exchanged some heated trash talk during Dallas’s 33—13 win over Philadelphia on Sunday night. The fact that Brown, one of the NFL’s best wideouts, didn’t run wild on the Cowboys is part of the reason they were able to emerge victorious. Dallas can thank Gilmore—and in a way—Brown, for that.
The Eagles wideout provided the Cowboys defender with some motivation through a comment he made on the first possession of the game. Gilmore told reporters that Brown called him “old,” adding that it “lit a fire under him,” per Nick Harris of the Cowboys’ official website.
Stephon Gilmore and A.J. Brown were jawing at each other for most of the game tonight.
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisDC) December 11, 2023
When asked about it, Gilmore said that Brown called him old on the first possession, and the rest was history.
“It lit a fire in me a little bit.”#DallasCowboyspic.twitter.com/feQ41lUm9c
Gilmore, a five-time Pro Bowl selection and former Defensive Player of the Year, clearly didn’t appreciate Brown insinuating that he’s over the hill. The Cowboys corner held the Eagles pass-catcher without a reception in the first quarter, though Brown ultimately managed to register eight receptions for 88 yards with Gilmore as the nearest defender, per Next Gen Stats.
A.J. Brown faced Stephon Gilmore on 11 of 13 targets and at the line of scrimmage on 21 of 27 routes (77.8%).
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) December 11, 2023
After being held without a catch in the first quarter, Brown finished with 8 receptions for 88 yards against Gilmore as the nearest defender.#PHIvsDAL | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/pNmXVRHz7p
Gilmore’s shadow coverage may not have completely blanketed Brown, but he did force the Eagles receiver to cough up a fumble in the third quarter.
Gilmore ultimately got the last laugh, as his team emerged with the win, one that now sees the Cowboys and Eagles tied for first atop the NFC East at 10–3.
