ClutchPoints
There are bad losses and painful losses. And then there are the kinds of losses that leave a deep bruise on a team’s identity. What happened to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 12 falls squarely in that last category. Up 21-0 with complete command at AT&T Stadium, the Eagles appeared ready to deliver a statement win over their most bitter NFC East rival. Instead, they suffered one of the most stunning collapses of the NFL season. The Eagles absorbed a 24-21 defeat to the Dallas Cowboys. Philadelphia went scoreless for the final 41 minutes while unraveling in spectacular fashion.
The offense froze, the defense softened, and the coaching staff made puzzling decisions at every turn. Philly had 14 penalties for 96 yards and a fourth-quarter fumble deep in Cowboys territory. The Eagles had a lifeless pass rush and a cornerback repeatedly exposed downfield. Their head coach also watched a three-touchdown lead turn to ash while his offense produced a drive chart that read like a warning label: punt, end of half, punt, punt, punt, missed field goal.
In the most important moments, the Eagles blinked. Meanwhile, the Cowboys completed a comeback few could’ve imagined with 11:32 still remaining in the first half. What should’ve been a signature win became a gut punch. This outcome now raises serious concerns about Philadelphia’s staying power in the NFC playoff race.
Here we’ll try to look at and discuss the Eagles most to blame for embarrassing collapse in second half vs. Cowboys.
Saquon Barkley’s 2025 season has been a rollercoaster. This game, though, took the downturn to a new level. Against Dallas, Barkley looked nothing like the explosive, decisive runner the Eagles expected when they committed to him as a cornerstone of their offense. He finished with 22 rushing yards on 10 carries, averaging only 2.2 yards per attempt. Barkley also rarely showed the burst fans associate with his most dynamic performances.
Sure, the offensive line deserves its fair share of blame for inconsistent run blocking. However, Barkley did little to elevate the unit. His touches felt predictable, and his ability to create after contact nearly nonexistent. Still, nothing defined his night more than the fourth-quarter fumble. That moment symbolized the shift in momentum and slammed the brakes on what could have been a game-sealing drive.
Barkley caught a checkdown in Cowboys territory with the Eagles clinging to a 21-14 lead. He turned upfield and was stripped by Sam Williams. It was a possession that should’ve ended in points. Instead, it put Dallas right back in position to complete their comeback.
The Eagles expect Barkley to change games. This time, he did, but in the wrong direction.
Two weeks ago, the Eagles’ front seven looked unstoppable. Against Dallas? They nearly vanished.
Philadelphia produced only one sack, courtesy of Nakobe Dean. They also logged just six quarterback hits all night. Worse, those hits didn’t come until well into the third quarter.
Dak Prescott had too...
