Cowboys Country

Dak Prescott 'Eats Adversity for Lunch!' Cowboys Overcome, Beat Eagles - Live Game Log

The Cowboys hosted the Eagles on Christmas Eve and delay the NFC East title celebration of Philadelphia for at least another week. ... with Dak Prescott "overcoming'' and "eating.''

Timm Hamm

ARLINGTON - "Adversity is something he eats for lunch.”

The Dallas Cowboys hosted the Philadelphia Eagles on Christmas Eve at AT&T Stadium, in a possible late-playoff preview. … and Dak Prescott - the subject of coach Mike McCarthy's quote - was pivotal in the thrilling 40-34 Dallas win.

Also from McCarthy: “Both teams hope to see each other again because you know what that means.”

What that means is the NFL Playoffs, at their highest level. But first things first. Here's how this win unfolded ...

New Cowboys wideout T.Y. Hilton will make his Dallas debut almost two weeks after inking his deal with the team and should add a much-needed deep threat to quarterback Dak Prescott's arsenal.

Both teams have clinched a postseason berth, although the NFC East title is still mathematically in question. A win for the Eagles and they would clinch the division and the No. 1 overall seed in the conference, including a first-round bye.

Dallas must win its remaining three games while Philly loses its final three in order to win the East. As unlikely as that sounds, it starts with a win on Saturday.

Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is out after injuring his shoulder in the win over the Bears last week. The injury is described as a sprain, and the MVP candidate isn't expected to much time. 

And while that may sound like good news for the Cowboys...

Dallas will be without fifth-year linebacker and former first-rounder Leighton Vander Esch after a neck stinger suffered in the loss against Jacksonville. Also out is rookie defensive end Sam Williams, who was involved in a car accident on Thursday.

LIVE GAME UPDATES

FIRST QUARTER: Eagles 10, Cowboys 7

The Eagles start with the ball first and begin at their own 25 after the touchback.

Sanders carries for seven yards on first down then Minshew throws to Brown for nine more and first down. Diggs with the tackle.

Minshew finds Brown for 48 yards to the DAL 11. Diggs was burned by a double move by Brown.

Sanders runs right side for one yard to the DAL 10, then on second down, Sanders carries for no gain, stuffed at the line by Donovan Wilson.

On 3rd and 9, Minshew scrambles for three yards, out of bounds at the DAL seven yard line.

FIELD GOAL EAGLES: Elliott's 25-yard field goal is good for a 3-0 Philly lead with 11:16 left in the first quarter. The scoring drive goes 68 yards on seven plays and took 3:44 off the clock.

Dallas started from its own 25 after the touchback.

Elliott runs for one yard on first down then four yards on second down for a 3rd and 5 from the DAL 30. Elliott caught the pass from Prescott on the left sideline for six yards and a first down.

INTERCEPTION - TOUCHDOWN EAGLES: Prescott's pass intended for Shultz short left side, the pass is intercepted by Sweat at the DAL 42 and returned 42 yards for the touchdown and a 10-0 Eagles lead with 9:18 left in the first quarter.

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Dallas takes over at their own 25 after the touchback.

Elliott runs for no gain, then Prescott hits Lamb for five yards to the DAL 30. On 3rd and 5, Prescott scrambles off right end for 13 yards to the DAL 43. for a first down.

Pollard runs up the middle for no gain on first down, then Prescott hits Schultz for six more for a 3rd and 5 at the DAL 48. Prescott finds Gallup for eight yards to the PHI 44 for a first down.

Prescott finds Pollard for nine yards to the PHI 35. PHI-M.Williams was injured during the play. His return is Questionable.

TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS: Elliott runs for one yard and a touchdown on 2nd and Goal for a 10-7 Philly lead with 1:52 left in the first quarter. The scoring drive goes 75 yards in 14 plays and took 7:26 off the clock.

Prescott was 5-for-5 on that drive after throwing the pick-6 to start the game.

Philadelphia starts the next drive at their own 25 after the touchback.

Sanders runs for seven yards then again for 13 yards for a first down at the PHI 45.

Sanders gets stuffed in the backfield by Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson for a loss of one yard.

END OF THE FIRST QUARTER

SECOND QUARTER: Eagles 20, Cowboys 17

INTERCEPTION COWBOYS: Facing a 2nd and 11, Minshew throws short middle to Watkins, intercepted by Jayron Kearse at the. PHI 49. Kearse returns it two yards to the PHI 47.

Prescott is sacked for a loss of 10 yards, then hits Lamb for five for a 3rd and 15. Prescott hits Lamb again for seven yards, short of the first down.

FOURTH-DOWN CONVERSION (kinda) COWBOYS: Prescott throws incomplete on the right side to T.Y. Hilton. PENALTY on PHI-D.Slay, Illegal Contact, 5 yards, enforced at PHI 45, first down.

Pollard runs left tackle for a loss of four, then Prescott hits Gallup at the PHI 36 for eight yards. 

TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS: On 3rd and 6, Prescott connected with Lamb for 36 yards and a touchdown. The Maher extra point is good for a 14-10 Cowboys lead with 11:34 left in the half. The scoring drive goes 47 yards in six plays and took 3:18 off the clock.

Prescott is 9-of-9 since the pick-6.

The Eagles start from their own 26 after a 29-yard return by Scott.

Minshew hits Goedert for 25 yards to the DAL 49. Penalty on DAL-D.Lawrence, Defensive Offside, declined.

Minshew finds Watkins at the DAL 30 for 19 yards, then throws incomplete to Watkins, who was wide open for a touchdown. Looked like blown coverage.

On 2nd and 10, Sanders runs off left tackle for five yards, then on 3rd and 5, Minshew hits Brown at the DAL 18 for seven yards.

Gainwell runs off right guard for 11 yards, then again for four.

On 3rd and 1, Gainwell is stopped for no gain bringing up a fourth down.

TOUCHDOWN EAGLES: Minshew runs a quarterback sneak up the middle for one yard and a touchdown. The Elliott extra point is good for a 17-14 Eagles lead with 7:08 left in the half. The scoring drive went 74 yards in 10 plays and took 4:26 off the clock.

The Cowboys begin their next drive at the DAL 25. 

Pollard runs off left end for four yards, then Gallup catches the Prescott pass for seven yards to the DAL 36 for a first down.

Elliott carries for three on first down. PHI-J.Davis was injured during the play. His return is Questionable.

Elliott runs for no gain on second down, then Prescott hits Lamb for 26 yards to the PHI 35. Penalty on PHI-J.Sweat, Defensive Offside, declined.

On first down, Elliott runs up the middle for a gain on one, then Prescsott finds Lamb for six. On 3rd and 3, Prescott hits Lamb for four and a first down.

On 1st and 10, Lamb catches the Prescott pass for 14 yards to the PHI 10.

Elliott runs off right guard to the PHI 5 on 1st and Goal.

Since the pick-6, Prescott is 16-of-16.

TWO-MINUTE WARNING

Elliott runs off left tackle to the PHI 3 for two yards, then Prescott throws incomplete to Gallup in the corner of the end zone.

FIELD GOAL: Maher is good from 21 yards for a 17-17 tie with 1:49 left in the half. The scoring drive goes 72 yards in 13 plays and took 5:19 off the clock.

Philly takes over at their own 25.

Minshew passes incomplete to Goedert on first down. PENALTY on DAL-D.Wilson, Defensive Pass Interference, 15 yards, enforced at PHI 25.

Minshew hits Gainwell for six yards, then throws incomplete to Smith, almost intercepted by Anthony Barr. On 3rd and 4 Minshew finds Goedert for 20 yards to the DAL 34 for a first down.

Minshew then throws to Smith for four yards to the DAL 30.

PHI Timeout #2 with 46 seconds left in the half

On 2nd and 6, Minshew throws incomplete to Watkins, for a third down. On 3rd and 6 from the DAL 30, Minshew finds Smith for six yards, and they give him the first down with a good spot.

On 1st and 10, they try to spike the ball to stop the clock, PHI-D.Goedert, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at DAL 24, Philly avoids the 10-second runoff by using its third and final timeout.

On 1st and 15 from the DAL 29, Minshew throws incomplete deep left for Gainwell. On second down, Minshew misses Gainwell again on the short left side for a 3rd and 15. Minshew throws out of bounds and is incomplete for a fourth down.

FIELD GOAL EAGLES: Elliott is good from 47 yards for a 20-17 PHI lead with six seconds left in the half. Penalty on DAL-C.Goodwin, Defensive Offside, declined.

Dallas gets the ball at the 25 after the touchback.

Prescott kneels the ball for a loss of one yard as time expires in the half.

HALFTIME

Cowboys halftime leaders:

Passing: Dak Prescott, 16/18, 168 yards, one touchdown, one interception

Rushing: Ezekiel Elliott, 12 carries for 24 yards, one touchdown

Receiving: CeeDee Lamb, eight catches for 103 yards, one touchdown

Eagles halftime leaders:

Passing: Gardner Minshew, 9/16, 144 yards, one interception

Rushing: Miles Sanders, seven carries for 31 yards

Receiving: A.J. Brown, three catches for 64 yards

The Cowboys will receive the ball to start the second half.

THIRD QUARTER: Eagles 27, Cowboys 27

Dallas starts at its own 14 after a 56-yard return by Turpin was nullified by a Wright holding penalty.

Pollard runs for six then for no gain. On 3rd and 4, Prescott throws incomplete to Gallup bringing up the Cowboys' first punting situation of the day.

The Anger punt goes 57 yards to the PHI 23, fair caught by Covey.

Minshew passes deep down the left side for an acrobatic catch by Goedert for 22 yards and a first down.

Sanders carries for a gain of one, then Minshew throws incomplete to Smith on the left side for a 3rd and 9. Minshew hits Gainwell at the DAL 34 for a 20 yards gain.

Minshew is chased out of bounds by Lawrence for a gain of just one, then Minshew hits Brown for a gain of 12 to the DAL 12 and a first down.

Sanders runs for a gain of four yards for a 3rd and 2 from the DAL 16. On third down, Sanders is stopped for a one yard loss.

TOUCHDOWN EAGLES: On 4th and 3, Minshew finds Smith completely uncovered for 14 yards and a touchdown. Trevon Diggs totally left him uncovered as he bit on the run fake. The Elliott extra point is good for a 27-17 Eagles lead. 

Dallas takes over at its own 25 after the touchback.

Elliott takes first down and runs seven yards to the DAL 32, then runs on second down for one yard for a 3rd and 2. Elliott runs for just one yard on 3rd and 2 for a 4th down upcoming.

FOURTH DOWN CONVERSION COWBOYS: On 4th and 1 at the DAL 35, Elliott runs for 22 yards to the PHI 44 and a first down.

On first down, Prescott finds Pollard for 13 yards to the PHI 31.

Pollard runs off right guard on 1st and 10 for a gain of five, then Pollard runs again for no gain on second down for a 3rd and 5 from the PHI 31 with 5:39 left on the clock. On 3rd and 5, Prescott throws incomplete deep on the right side to Pollard.

FIELD GOAL COWBOYS: Maher's 44-yard field goal is good for a 27-10 Eagles lead with 5:01 left in the third quarter. The scoring drive goes 49 yards in nine plays and took 3:59 off the clock.

Maher's kickoff goes into the end zone for a touchback, and the Eagles begin their next drive at the 25.

Sanders runs for nine yards on first down, then Minshew throws incomplete on second down. PENALTY on DAL-D.Bland, Defensive Holding, 6 yards, enforced at PHI 34.

FUMBLE RECOVERY COWBOYS: Minshew fumbles on the exchange with the running back, recovered by Kearse at the PHI 37, and returned for six yards to the PHI 31.

Pollard runs off left tackle for one yard, then Prescott hits Schultz up the middle for 21 yards to the PHI 9 and a first down.

Prescott misses Lamb in the end zone on first down, then on second down, Prescott is sacked for a loss of three yards for a 3rd and Goal from the 12 yard line.

TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS: Prescott finds Gallup for 12 yards and a touchdown. The Maher extra point is good for a 27-27 tie with 2:12 left in the quarter. The scoring drive goes 31 yards in five plays and took 1:59 off the clock after the interception.

After the touchback, the Eagles begin the drive from their own 25.

Sanders runs for five yards then three yards for a 3rd and 2. Sanders runs for two more, very close to the marker, but it's a first down.

Minshew connects with Smith for 16 yards to the DAL 49 and a first down.

END OF THE THIRD QUARTER

FOURTH QUARTER: Cowboys 40, Eagles 34

Minshew passes to Gainwell for no gain on first down, then throws incomplete on second down for a 3rd and 10 from the DAL 49.

Minshew passes deep left to Smith for 19 yards and a first down to the DAL 30.

Sanders runs for four yards on first down, then runs for no gain on second down for a 3rd and 6. 

Minshew finds Brown across the middle for 15 yards to the DAL 12 for a first down. PHI-A.Brown was injured during the play. His return is Questionable.

On 1st and 10 from the DAL 12, Sanders runs for three yards, then runs for no gain for a 3rd and 7 from the DAL 9.

TOUCHDOWN EAGLES: Minshew passes to Smith for nine yards and a touchdown. Penalty on DAL-J.Kearse, Defensive Holding, declined. The Elliott extra point is good for a 34-27 Eagles lead with 9:59 left in the game. The scoring drive goes 75 yards in 13 plays and took 7:13 off the clock.

Dallas takes over from its own 25.

Prescott hits Ferguson for 24 yards to the DAL 49 on first down.

On 1st and 10, Prescott fumbles under pressure, recovered by Biadasz at the DAL 38. On 2nd and 21, Prescott is sacked again for nine yards at the DAL 29.

On 3rd and 30, Prescott connected deep with T.Y. Hilton for 52 yards and a first down on Hilton's first catch as a Cowboy.

On the next play, Prescott is sacked again for a loss of one yard. On second down, Prescott finds Pollard for 13 yards to the PHI 7 for a 1st and Goal.

On 1st and Goal, Prescott misses Pollard in the left flat in what would've been a walk-in touchdown.

TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS: Prescott hits Lamb for seven yards on the left side for a touchdown. The Maher extra point is good for another tie at 34-34 with 5:49 left in the game. The scoring drive goes 75 yards in eight plays and took 4:10 off the clock.

The Eagles start at their own 25.

Sanders runs off right tackle for three yards, then Minshew finds Smith for 23 yards on the right side for a first down.

On first down, Minshew throws out of bounds incomplete, then finds Sanders across the middle for six yards. PHI-L.Johnson was injured during the play. His return is Questionable.

INTERCEPTION COWBOYS: Minshew throws short left intended for Watkins, intercepted by Bland, his fifth of the season at the DAL 40, first down, Cowboys.

On first down, Prescott finds Schultz for 16 yards to the PHI 44, then hits Lamb for 10 more to the PHI 34 and a first down.

Prescott missed Brown short across the middle on first down, then hits Brown with the same play for five yards for a 3rd and 5.

On 3rd and 5, Prescott misses Gallup across the middle for a fourth down.

FIELD GOAL COWBOYS: Maher is good from 48 yards out for a 37-34 Cowboys lead with 2:19 left in the game. The scoring drive goes 31 yards in six plays and took 2:00 off the clock.

The Eagles take over from their own 25 after the kick.

FUMBLE RECOVERY COWBOYS: Sanders runs up the middle for a loss of one yard and FUMBLES THE BALL, recovered by Anthony Barr at the PHI 21.

Dallas is +3 on turnovers on the day with just one to PHI's four.

Prescott runs left end for 16 yards and out of bounds to the PHI 5 and a first down.

On 1st and Goal, Prescott is sacked for a loss of nine yards.

TWO-MINUTE WARNING

Pollard runs for seven yards to the PHI 7, with 1:56 left in the game.

Timeout #1 by PHI at 1:50

On 3rd and Goal, Prescott scrambles for four yards, short of the end zone.

Timeout #2 by PHI at 01:44

Dallas lined up to go for it on fourth down, PENALTY on DAL-D.Prescott, Delay of Game, 5 yards, enforced at PHI 3.

FIELD GOAL COWBOYS: Maher is good from 26 yards for a 40-34 lead with 1:41 remaining in the game. The scoring drive goes 13 yards in five plays and took 26 seconds off the clock.

The Eagles take the ball at their own 25 after the kick.

Minshew hits Pascal for six yards to the PHI 31, then Minshew finds Gainwell for 15 to the DAL 41 with the clock still running and 59 seconds left.

Minshew throws to Brown at the DAL 41 for 13 yards and a first down.

Timeout #1 by DAL at 00:51

Minshew passes to Brown incomplete, broken up by Golston in the backfield, then finds Smith deep on the right side for 22 yards to the DAL 19, then Minshew spikes the ball to stop the clock with 33 seconds left.

On 2nd and 10 Minshew throws incomplete to Smith deep in the end zone, for a 3rd and 10. 

Minshew throws incomplete short left with heavy pressure by Parsons, fourth down with 20 seconds left.

Timeout #2 by DAL at 00:20

TURNOVER ON DOWNS to COWBOYS: On 4th and 10, Minshew throws incomplete into the end zone under heavy pressure.

Prescott kneels to run out the clock.

END OF GAME

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Timm Hamm
TIMM HAMM

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