Eagles Lead at Halftime Against Cowboys Amidst Turnover Drama and Injury Concerns

ARLINGTON, Texas – As the Philadelphia Eagles face off against the Dallas Cowboys in a pivotal NFC East matchup, the first half has been nothing short of chaotic, featuring a dramatic lead by the Eagles and increasing concerns over player injuries.

Notably, the Eagles have retained only four players from their 2017 roster that last triumphed at AT&T Stadium - right tackle Lane Johnson, edge rusher Brandon Graham, kicker Jake Elliott, and long snapper Rick Lovato. That year, they secured a 37-9 victory over the Cowboys en route to their Super Bowl win. “It happens like that,” Graham remarked, expressing hope that this is the start of another fruitful run for the team.

The Eagles entered this game with several advantages, most significantly the absence of Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and cornerback DaRon Bland. Meanwhile, the Eagles boasted a fully available roster, even with starting quarterback Jalen Hurts battling an ankle injury. Though he was limited during practice earlier in the week, Hurts appeared ready and focused on the field.

As the first half came to a close, the Eagles held a 14-6 lead after Hurts connected with Dallas Goedert for a 14-yard touchdown pass just 23 seconds before halftime. However, their star running back Saquon Barkley left the game temporarily due to a hand injury incurred while attempting to recover a fumble at the Cowboys' 6-yard line. Despite earlier gaining the lead, the Cowboys capitalized on the ensuing turnover to score a field goal, narrowing the gap to 7-6.

Barkley’s performance prior to the injury included six carries for 23 rushing yards and a receiving effort of 12 yards. Hurts, despite a strong showing, struggled with turnovers, completing 11 of 13 passes for 152 yards while tossing an interception and fumbling the ball, which ultimately led to the Cowboys’ chance to decrease the Eagles' lead. The Eagles' defense, however, stood firm, as linebacker Zack Baun forced a fumble from Ezekiel Elliott, and Cooper DeJean scooped it up in the end zone.

In contrast to the Eagles' triumphs and struggles, the Cowboys have been grappling with their own issues, now sitting at 3-5 for the season. Cooper Rush filled in for Prescott and faced his own hurdles, including a dropped snap that led to a turnover early in the game.

The Eagles had anticipated the return of key players like Goedert, who was back after missing three games with a hamstring injury, and cornerback Darius Slay, who had previously faced groin issues. Conversely, the Cowboys welcomed back edge rusher Micah Parsons and cornerback Trevon Diggs.

As the second half approaches, fans in Arlington are on the edge of their seats, anticipating how this fierce rivalry will unfold amidst the uncertainties of player health and team momentum. Will the Eagles retain their lead, or can the Cowboys capitalize on their home field advantage to turn the tide? Stay tuned as this exciting game continues!

Kickoff Recap: Eagles 14, Cowboys 6 – What’s Next?

The Eagles are looking to solidify their lead in the second half, while Dallas must regroup to leverage their defensive strengths. The stakes are high as both teams chase critical positioning in the NFC East.

Stay Updated! Want to catch every play? Tune into CBS for full game coverage and enjoy the thrilling action as the rivalry reignites!