Dallas Cowboys

Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys stake claim as contenders with big win over Eagles

Updated Sep. 28, 2021 4:03 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

Everything was clicking for the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night.

The final score against the Philadelphia Eagles, a 41-21 drumming at AT&T Stadium, might actually be more flattering to the visitors than they deserved, believe it or not. 

The Cowboys were in complete control against the Eagles, hardly breaking a sweat as they cruised to 2-1 on the season to leap atop the NFC East.

Aside from a fumble in Dallas' end zone early in the first quarter, which the Eagles recovered to make the score 7-7 at the time, Dak Prescott played near-immaculate football.

He missed on just five attempts all night, going 21-for-26 for 238 yards and a trio of touchdowns and finishing with a passer rating of 143.3.

Dak completed passes to eight receivers to carve up the Birds through the air, favoring tight end Dalton Schultz, who finished with six catches for 80 yards and two touchdowns.

Meanwhile, Ezekiel Elliott tabled discussions about his production falling off a cliff with a two-touchdown, 95-yard performance on 17 carries. Fellow running back Tony Pollard joined in on the fun with 60 yards of his own as the Cowboys ran all over Philly to control the clock for 34:58.

For more up-to-date news on all things Cowboys, click here to register for alerts on the FOX Sports app!

It was the same story defensively, too. Take your pick of the standout performances for Dallas' defense, which held Jalen Hurts — 25-for-39, 326 yards, two touchdowns and two picks — largely in check until the game was pretty much out of reach.

Rookie Micah Parsons continued to be a revelation on defense, being a constant nuisance on the defensive line with half a sack and four total tackles. 

Second-year cornerback Trevon Diggs also flew around the field, registering three passes defended and racing home for a pick-six in the third quarter.

Even Dallas' special-teams unit put on a show. The Eagles had a net of minus-two yards on three punt returns, and kicker Greg Zuerlein went 5-for-6 on point-after attempts.

It was a comprehensive performance, clearly. But was it enough to convince folks the Cowboys are legit threats?

Skip Bayless of "Undisputed" said Tuesday that he believes the 'Boys have the goods to contend in the NFC. 

"I saw — for the first time in the Dak Prescott era — a real, live football team," Bayless said. "I'm talking top to bottom: offense, defense, special teams. They looked like a football team to me [on Monday] night. A team that actually could contend not just in the division but in the NFC. … I saw a Dak Prescott, who is playing at the highest level he has ever played at."

For more up-to-date news on all things "Undisputed," click here to register for alerts on the FOX Sports app!

"Dak was lethally efficient" — Skip Bayless reacts to the Cowboys' win over Eagles in Week 3 I UNDISPUTED

Hear what Skip Bayless has to say about the Dallas Cowboys' dominant victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.

Marcus Spears of ESPN took it a step further, saying that he thinks Dak & Co. belong among the list of legitimate Super Bowl contenders.

Their ability to generate turnovers on defense — eight in three games — is a big reason he's a believer.

"It's eight turnovers in three weeks," Spears said, "and that is making the difference for this football team. And we know that this offense can be as elite as any offense in the NFL. So, yeah, I would have them in the conversation."

But on "First Things First," Chris Broussard said to pump the brakes on any Super Bowl talk for the Cowboys.

"I could see them winning a playoff game, but I've got them as the fourth-best in the NFC," Broussard said. "I've got Tampa Bay, the Rams, the Packers and then the Cowboys So, I would not call them a Super Bowl contender. … Tom Brady, Matt Stafford, Aaron Rodgers — they would eat them up in a playoff game through the air."

For more up-to-date news on all things "First Things First," click here to register for alerts on the FOX Sports app!

Chris Broussard wouldn't call Dak's Cowboys Super Bowl contenders just yet I FIRST THINGS FIRST

Hear Chris Broussard explain what he would need to see from Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys to consider them Super Bowl contenders.

For Nick Wright, the biggest issue with Dallas is their head coach, Mike McCarthy, who was criticized for not using his timeouts toward the end of the first half to stop the clock and squeeze in another offensive possession.

"What does Mike McCarthy do, aside from being an unenthusiastic cheerleader on the sideline?" Wright asked after breaking down the end-of-half clock issue. "You can't win that way. ... It was egregious and indefensible."

For all the good Dallas did Monday night, there are some out there who need a bit more evidence.

If the Cowboys can put on a repeat performance in Week 4, against the undefeated Carolina Panthers, there might not be any room left to question their credentials. 

For more up-to-date news on all things NFL, click here to register for alerts on the FOX Sports app!

share

Get more from Dallas Cowboys Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

National Football League

Dallas Cowboys

Dak Prescott

Micah Parsons

Ezekiel Elliott

Tony Pollard

Trevon Diggs

Dalton Schultz