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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Glenn Erby

Instant analysis of Eagles 40-34 loss to Cowboys in Week 16

The Eagles are battered and a bit flustered after an ugly 34-27 loss to the Cowboys on Saturday that was buoyed by four turnovers on offense, and an inability to get off the field on third downs as a defense.

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Gardner Minshew was 24-40 for 355 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions in place of an injured Jalen Hurts.

Minshew also had one rushing touchdown on the afternoon but was credited with one lost fumble as well.

DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown both went over 100 yards on the day but were overshadowed by CeeDee Lamb’s 10 catch, 120 yards, and 2 touchdown performance to carry the Dallas passing game.

DeVonta Smith is special

(Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

DeVonta Smith had 113 yards in the contest, marking the first 1,000-yard receiving season of his young career.

Smith entered the NFL with questions about his size, but he’s without a doubt the toughest pass catcher in football.

Eagles injury woes

Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Eagles had hoped to lock up the division and overall No. 1 seed so several key guys could get some rest.

They’ll now head to New Orleans needing a win to clinch the division and home-field advantage, but they’ll be severely beaten up.

Lane Johnson, Avonte Maddox, and Jordan Davis all exited the game with what could be lengthy injuries.

The roof isn't caving in

Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

No team wants to lose, but stacking 13 wins to one loss allows this team some area for disaster. The Eagles are still 13-2, first in the division and the conference, with a game against the rebuilding Saints on the docket for Week 17.

Philadelphia wins and they are in, allowing for players to rest.

This team still almost won a shootout in Dallas after turning the football over four times, while also playing without Jalen Hurts and C.J. Gardner-Johnson.

Things are going to be fine.

Turnovers will be Eagles undoing

Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

It takes a strong effort from the opposing team and some costly mistakes by Philadelphia to beat the Eagles in 2022.

In the two games, Philadelphia has suffered a loss, they’ve turned the football over seven times.

Miles Sanders achilles heel returns

Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Sanders had a penchant for fumbling in his first three seasons but had been solid this season up until the past few weeks.

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