Cowboys rout Eagles, hold postseason hopes alive

Dak Prescott threw a vocation-high 5 touchdown passes towards Philadelphia Eagles backups, Cedrick Wilson and Dalton Schultz every experienced two scoring catches and the Dallas Cowboys stored their slim hopes for a No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs alive with a 51-26 victory Saturday evening.

The Cowboys even now had seeding to participate in for versus an Eagles crew that rested Jalen Hurts and other critical starters forward of an NFC wild-card match future 7 days.

The NFC East winner Cowboys (12-5) need to have losses Sunday by reigning Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay in opposition to final-position Carolina and also for the Los Angeles Rams and Arizona Cardinals to lose to get paid the No. 2 seed. There also is a route to the No. 3 seed for Dallas.

The Cowboys can not finish even worse than the fourth seed. The Eagles (9-8) could nonetheless be the sixth seed.

Prescott stayed in the video game until eventually the fourth quarter, the lead raising seemingly with each individual toss and so, most likely, the risk of damage for a QB just about 15 months taken out from the grotesque compound fracture of his suitable ankle that finished his 2020 time.

Prescott did his very best to get an offense that routinely created at the very least 400 yards all through a 6-1 start again on keep track of headed into the playoffs adhering to a two-12 months absence. He was 21 of 27 for 295 yards and no interceptions.

He arrived out unscathed — and with the Cowboys’ report for touchdown passes in a time with 37. Tony Romo threw 36 in 2007. Prescott threw an 8-yard landing move to Corey Clement early in the fourth quarter to make it 37-20 and established the mark and, mercifully for the Eagles, get him out of the sport.

Dallas Cowboys restricted end Dalton Schultz, ideal, catches a landing pass about Philadelphia Eagles linebacker JaCoby Stevens, left, through the first fifty percent of an NFL soccer recreation, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Image/Julio Cortez)
( (AP Image/Julio Cortez))

Of course, Prescott received his history in the 17th sport this period.

Being sharp, piling up factors, and, certainly, roughing up a hated NFC East rival were being all desired higher factors for the Cowboys.

But, like the team documents on equally sides that held falling, the acquire will come with a little bit of a shrug. With absolutely nothing to perform for, the Eagles handled the game like a preseason finale. Hurts, with 3,144 yards passing and a staff-high 784 yards dashing, received the evening off. So did tackle Lane Johnson, cornerback Darius Slay and 11 a lot more players on the reserve/COVID-19 record.

Gardner Minshew started off for Hurts and — for a drive, at minimum — it was Minshew Mania all over again when he threw a 3-yard landing move to Tyree Jackson on the opening generate. It was the initially capture of Jackson’s occupation.

Philadelphia Eagles managing back again Kenneth Gainwell operates with the ball for the duration of the to start with fifty percent of an NFL football sport versus the Dallas Cowboys, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photograph/Julio Cortez)
((AP Photograph/Julio Cortez))

The rating sparked an “E-A-G-L-E-S!” chant from fans across the road at the Flyers recreation after a replay was demonstrated on the significant display.

Philadelphia didn’t give everyone in green much purpose to chant and cheer the relaxation of the sport.

Prescott sucked the vitality out of the stadium early. He hit Wilson for TD receptions of 14 and 24 yards in the very first 50 % and then related with Schultz 2 times above the closing 1:45 of the half for a 30-17 guide. Schultz grew to become only the fifth participant due to the fact 2000 to capture two touchdown passes inside the closing 2 minutes of the initially 50 percent.

Already a sparse group since of the small stakes and lower temperatures, Eagles enthusiasts fled for the exits at the 50 percent.