Eagles Impress NFL Fans in Rout vs. Cowboys amid Kenny Pickett, Jalen Hurts Injuries

Zach BacharContributor IDecember 29, 2024

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 29: Kenny Pickett #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles throws a pass against the Dallas Cowboys during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 29, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

The Philadelphia Eagles cruised to a 41-7 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.

With the victory, the Eagles clinched their second NFC East title in three seasons.

NFL @NFL
The <a href="https://twitter.com/Eagles?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Eagles</a> are 2024 NFC East Champions! 🦅 <a href="https://t.co/TZatT8KqoC">pic.twitter.com/TZatT8KqoC</a>

Jalen Hurts was already ruled out of the contest due to a concussion, resulting in Kenny Pickett starting at quarterback. Pickett finished 10-of-15 for 143 yards and a touchdown, although he left in the third quarter with a rib injury.

FOX Sports: NFL @NFLonFOX
Pickett finds DeVonta for 6 to regain the lead for the Eagles! 🦅 📺: FOX <a href="https://t.co/IBUikmO7mD">pic.twitter.com/IBUikmO7mD</a>

Tanner McKee filled in at quarterback to close the game, completing three of his four pass attempts for 54 yards and two scores.

Philadelphia Eagles @Eagles
BABE WAKE UP! IT'S TANNER TIME ⏰<a href="https://twitter.com/McKeeTmckee?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@McKeeTmckee</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/1kalwaysopen_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@1kalwaysopen_</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FlyEaglesFly?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FlyEaglesFly</a> <a href="https://t.co/PZjvMKQ9NS">pic.twitter.com/PZjvMKQ9NS</a>

B/R Gridiron @brgridiron
AJ Brown threw Tanner McKee's first NFL TD into the stands 😂 AJ made a deal with a fan and Big Dom made it happen (via <a href="https://twitter.com/NFLonFOX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NFLonFOX</a>) <a href="https://t.co/oKkxWxzNbH">pic.twitter.com/oKkxWxzNbH</a>

DeVonta Smith recorded a game-high 120 receiving yards and two touchdowns on six catches, while Saquon Barkley ran for 167 yards.

Barkley became the ninth player in NFL history to reach 2,000 rush yards in a single season.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
MVP CHANTS FOR SAQUON AFTER REACHING 2K YDS 🐐 (via <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NFL</a>)<a href="https://t.co/pYF4FTpgpH">pic.twitter.com/pYF4FTpgpH</a>

Philadelphia's defense stifled a Cowboys team that won four of its previous five contests, forcing four turnovers. This included a 69-yard pick six by Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson that gave the team an early 7-0 lead.

✨ Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content

NFL @NFL
CJ Gardner-Johnson PICK-6!!! 📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DALvsPHI?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DALvsPHI</a> on FOX 📱: <a href="https://t.co/waVpO909ge">https://t.co/waVpO909ge</a> <a href="https://t.co/3WSZb2eQzk">pic.twitter.com/3WSZb2eQzk</a>

Fans and a former player were amazed by the overall performance from Philadelphia.

LeSean Shady Mccoy @CutonDime25
It's LITTTTY in Philly … records being broke and Dallas getting blew out 😂😂😂😂😂

Anthony DiBona @DiBonaNFL
If this is the last time that the Eagles starters play before the postseason, you couldn't have asked for a better performance from them.

Eliot Shorr-Parks @EliotShorrParks
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Eagles?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Eagles</a> might legit have 3 of the 4 best quarterbacks in the NFC East right now

MeekMill @MeekMill
Let's go eagles we in that mode!!!!! 🦅 🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅

John Clark @JClarkNBCS
The Eagles turned 3 takeaways into 17 points today. <a href="https://t.co/nHueEnzcX7">https://t.co/nHueEnzcX7</a>

Zach Berman @ZBerm
This is the most points the Eagles have scored in the first half in the past two seasons. This is the first time they've been +3 in turnovers in the first half in the Sirianni era.

Jeff Skversky @JeffSkversky
Eagles have scored a season high 41 points on the Cowboys with their 2nd and 3rd string quarterbacks <a href="https://t.co/VQVVmoEQHq">pic.twitter.com/VQVVmoEQHq</a>

Britain Covey Hive @215KR
Eagles are the most resilient team in the game. Disaster 4th qtr last week and now look. 34-7 in the 3rd with backup QBs

Cooper Rush struggled against the Eagles' defense, finishing 15-of-28 for 147 yards and a touchdown to go along with a pair of interceptions.

Philadelphia improved to 13-3 with the victory, securing a division crown and ensuring that it'll host at least one playoff game.