The Philadelphia Eagles faced a devastating setback on November 26, 2023, suffering a 24-21 loss to the Dallas Cowboys after relinquishing a 21-point lead. The defeat left the Eagles’ locker room silent, with players still grappling with the shocking turn of events as they processed their inability to secure a victory.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts, alongside wide receiver DeVonta Smith, addressed the media shortly after the game. Hurts, visibly contemplative, emphasized the need for the team to regroup and find consistency. “We’ve gotta find a way to finish the game and we’ve got to find some consistency in what we do,” he stated. “In the end, we didn’t play a complete game as a team, and today it got us.” Hurts advocated for the loss to serve as motivation moving forward, urging his teammates to “own this one” and “let it light a fire in us.”
The Eagles started strong, scoring on their first three possessions. Hurts showcased his talent with two rushing touchdowns and a passing touchdown, quickly giving Philadelphia a commanding 21-0 lead. The defense also made critical contributions, including an interception by safety Reed Blankenship that preserved a shutout late in the second quarter. At that moment, ESPN’s Football Power Index gave the Eagles a remarkable 96% chance of winning.
However, the game took a turn as the Eagles’ offense faltered after their explosive start. Five consecutive possessions ended in punts, alongside a missed field goal attempt from Jake Elliott and a fumble by running back Saquon Barkley. Penalties compounded their struggles, with the team committing 14 infractions, tying for the most under head coach Nick Sirianni. Sirianni took responsibility for the errors, stating, “When there’s the amount of mistakes that we had… I’ve got to make sure my message is getting through.”
The Eagles’ offense has faced challenges throughout the season, often relying on their defense to maintain leads. Injuries played a significant role in the game against Dallas, particularly in the secondary. Blankenship suffered a thigh injury, while cornerback Adoree’ Jackson left with a concussion. Safety Andrew Mukuba was also seen on crutches post-game. These injuries hampered the Eagles’ ability to contain the Cowboys’ potent passing attack.
Barkley expressed his disappointment in his performance, recording just 22 rushing yards on 10 carries, marking his lowest output since joining the Eagles. “I’m more disappointed with myself,” he noted. “I’m in a little funk right now; I’ve had funks like this before, just gotta break it.”
As the Eagles prepare for their upcoming game against the Chicago Bears, Sirianni acknowledged the emotional toll of the loss while stressing the need to move forward. “We knew it was going to be a ‘s—ty plane ride home,’” he remarked, underscoring the urgency for the team to refocus. Despite the setback, veteran defensive end Brandon Graham expressed confidence in the team’s resilience. “Sometimes when you ain’t lost in a minute, it feels funny. It’s not a feeling that you want to have all the time. It’s going to be all right. Everybody is going to come in ready to work.”
With a record of 8-3, the Eagles remain competitive in the NFC East. However, they must address the issues that led to Sunday’s loss to prevent further slips in their performance as they aim to maintain their position in the playoff race.
