Cowboys vs. Eagles takeaways: score in NFC East race

The Dallas Cowboys appear to be the best team in the division. Even if they have a long way to go to clinch the NFC East crown. Dallas dominated Philadelphia from tip to end in a dominating 33-13 win that demonstrated how far. The Cowboys had come since losing to the Eagles six weeks ago.

Despite having the identical record as the Eagles, the Cowboys lead the NFC East on a tiebreaker. Dallas leads the division due to having the highest win percentage in division games. Philadelphia will win the division if the Eagles win out (tiebreaker based on conference record).

Dallas scored on all four of their first-half drives, including three touchdowns, to take a 24-6 lead. Dak Prescott threw for 271 yards and two touchdowns. The Cowboys never trailed in this one, thanks to Prescott and the offense putting on a flawless performance. In the win, CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup each had receiving touchdowns, and Rico Dowdle added a rushing touchdown.

The Cowboys racked up nearly 400 yards of offense and converted 9 of 16 third-down opportunities. Dallas scored on seven of nine drives, excluding kneel-downs, and the outcome was never in doubt. Brandon Aubrey made four field goals. including the first in NFL history to hit two of goals of 59 yards or more in the same game.

Philadelphia did not score an offensive touchdown and fumbled three times, one by Jalen Hurts and two by A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. All three turnovers occurred in Cowboys territory. Fletcher Cox's forced fumble culminated in a scoop and score for Jalen Carter, the Eagles' lone touchdown. The turnovers were the highest.

Hurts was held out of the end zone after going 18 of 27 for 197 yards. The Eagles' running backs had 18 carries for 77 yards, while Brown and Smith combined for 14 catches for 167 yards – but they also had two fumbles and two critical drops within the 3-yard line, costing the Eagles potential scores.

A game report may be read in our live blog below, as the Cowboys and Eagles hold the same record after 14 weeks. Here are our takeaways from the Sunday night showdown.

Why did the Cowboys win?

The Cowboys dominated in all three phases of the game. The offense scored on seven of nine drives, including three touchdowns on the first four. The Cowboys didn't even need to score a touchdown in the second half because they already had control of the game. The defense forced three fumbles and did not allow a touchdown. Brandon Aubrey made four field goals, including two from more than 60 yards. With this effort, they could have beaten any NFL team.

Why did the Eagles lose?

Where do we begin? Philadelphia scored more points on defense than offense, due to a scoop and score defensive touchdown by Jalen Carter. The same defense surrendered 394 yards and 33 points. They were also behind 10-0 at the end of the first quarter, marking the fifth game in a row that the Eagles trailed by double digits at some point. To add to the misery, the offense mishandled the ball three times in Dallas territory. At every level, the Eagles were outplayed and outcoached.

Turning point

On the Eagles' first possession of the game, Jalen Hurts fumbled on an 11-yard run that took them to the Cowboys' 20-yard line. Philadelphia marched right down the field to get into Dallas territory after Dallas scored on their first possession to establish a 7-0 lead. Hurts connected with DeVonta Smith for a 30-yard gain two plays before the turnover, and the Eagles seemed to score on the first drive.

The fumble was the first in a string of offensive gaffes for the Eagles. As their star players faltered, the Eagles simply found ways to defeat themselves.

Play of the game

Brandon Aubrey's 60-yard field goal in the first quarter was the first from that far in NFL history. Aubrey's attempt was easily successful from 65 yards, and he followed it up with a 59-yard field goal in the third quarter to put Dallas up 27-13. He is the first player in history to make two field goals of 59 yards or more in the same game.

Aubrey hit three 50-yard field goals during the game. He's hit 30 of 30 field goals this season, including some big ones.